Dear Mirror Networkers,
Here we are right in the middle of our summer world tour exploring the backstage of the knowledge economy.
San Francisco made me go from wander to wonders in only a couple of weeks. The Bay area which had welcomed gold adventurers before is now undergoing a “grey rush” of many brainy pioneers furiously questioning and building the future of technology, science, business and of course education.
A vibrant melting pot of corporations, startups, investment firms, incubators, accelerators, universities, research centers, ngos are investigating, prototyping, testing and launching the tools and models already starting to impact and shape the world at large. From billionaires to active future makers, they all share a strong impulse to make the world a better place. That’s the common phrase “changing the way we live, to change the world we live in”. Pick your issue; propose your solution; no limits but only the ones you can’t push. Living for work, working for life. After crazy geeky hours come the happy ones and SF is the place to eat for foodies and healthy gourmets. Only don’t forget your jacket as the climate changes from one street to the other. From chill to chili you will never be bored as once hooked there is no unplugging in the foggy city. No other place on earth welcomes so many people doing exactly what they dream of, at such a fast-paced rhythm. A frenetic luxury, where risks are carefully and cleverly managed.
I was excited, proud and curious to be able to participate in that well networked ecosystem. In SF who you know becomes what you know. I therefore focused on connecting and meeting people, expanding the Mirror Network community.
And San Francisco made me rich!
Rich of questions. Indeed, everywhere else it is not acknowledged or well perceived to question. There it is the norm. Asking is considered the departure point of any venture and allows you to improve your ideas, your product and yourself. Mirror Network is based on whys.
Rich of connections. I want to thank all the talented, inspired and inspiring people I have been lucky enough to meet over the past two weeks. You have been kind enough to open doors, minds and hearts and you are the ones making this whole journey worth it! The only things to add are a positive see you soon a huge bravo for your dreams come true. Mirror Network is all about fruitful links.
Rich of opportunities. That was my last toast, on the last night: “to opportunities!”. And yes, I believe that SF is the right place for them to rise and shine. I look forward to sharing them. Mirror Network is a starting point.
The Edtech kitchen is full with noise, excitement and promises now reaching markets. I can only encourage you to check out the hot new elearning tools and alternative educational experiences. Tomorrow is already here, and wants to help us learn to our full potential, individually and collectively. So try, use and spread the words because you are the change.
Please check the mirror-network.com blog to read about all the amazing organizations and people changing the world of education. Pictures available of the Mirror Network Facebook Group.
Key lessons I will remember:
- Human capital is a resource being rediscovered and will probably become our most (the most?) precious one to make sure humanity has a future; what future do we want to create?
- Still it is key to question both our intents in building this future and the means we use to get there so that they don’t corrupt the bottom line; why and what do we want humanity to learn?
- Some minds are leading the change, some others are finding ways to spread these discoveries but yet so many people are still out of know; who do we want to be part of the future making conversation and how do we facilitate it?
- Knowledge is now a market, unlike any other, as it evolves more quickly, it involves many layers, it is inter-disciplinary, it is online and offline, it is human and artificial, it is creating new values – financial and ethical ones – and redefining community; what values do we agree upon? What communities are we creating and taking part in? How do we preserve humanity? Who do we want to answer these questions?
Humans will move forward, explore, battle, conquer, enjoy. Because this is who we are and we are so lucky to live in this extraordinary period in time. Technology has given us the power to be self-conscious and exist, as humanity! We therefore have indeed the power to change things, but also the responsibility to share this change and decide how to orient it, as a global community.
I will now enjoy the East coast for a week and get back to you with bright news from NYC and Boston Ivy campuses. Already at home in the city that never sleeps,
Big dreams to you all,
Léa