tedxamsterdam (20101028) tedxamsterdam our future is not history
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Our future is not history
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Pop quiz: what’s the common denominator in the Sanoma publishers, the Club van 100 andTEDxAmsterdam equation? This ensemble could not have been better described than they wereby Rijksmuseum director Wim Pijbes. Three seemingly very different groups all share someimportant characteristics: they like to stimulate new developments, bring together people fromvery diverse backgrounds and are good at uniting energy flows. On the 26th of October(coincidentally the new prime minister Rutte spoke about the new coalition that very day) wejoined to take in Herman Wijffels’ future vision for Dutch society in the beautiful Rijksmuseum.
Connecting people
The connecting force behind this event was the charming Astrid Elburg who holds a seat onboth the Club van 100 and TEDxAmsterdam advisory boards. Club van 100 wants to connect“old school” with younger pioneers. Evenings like tonight have been established to inspirepeople, just like TED events. In this open atmosphere everybody mingled, and old and newgenerations rubbed shoulders. One of our TEDxAmsterdam partners, Amsterdam InternetExchange CEO Job Witteman, told me about his special feelings for this type of events: “I cantell the speakers are very driven. No one ever takes the stage for granted, people always put intheir best effort. And somehow the relaxed yet inquisitive atmosphere between visitors helpskeep it special. I think you feel more connected because you need to be invited instead of buyingexpensive tickets. You don’t know why you are there, but one thing is for sure: each andeveryone in this extraordinary audience has an interesting story!”
Foreseeing the future
Herman Wijffels was pleased to see this talented crowd; people who do good for society. Hediscussed governors’ and politicians’ reflex to look at history for to solve problems. As we aredealing with several pronlonged crises, there is a historical tendency to look at the past for an(often false) sense of security. Left wing solutions are about restoring the welfare state and rightwing parties who want to return to the pre globalized era – both are impossible options. Wijffelsbelieves we need new solutions for never before seen problems. Where do we find thesesolutions? It’s the (wo)man in the mirror. We are responsible for what he calls the “socialundercurrent.” It’s about more than just sustainability: it’s a desire to create high quality relationsbetween human beings, and harmony between humans and nature. According to Wijffels, ourWestern social system is beyond repair and we need to learn from nature’s system theory thatthe time has come for something completely different. Three promising developments in thissense are:
- people taking ownership in large organizations, steering away from hierarchical pyramidthinking (the industrial age has brought us to here, but is outdated)
- creating another economical basic structure (in which we don’t overstress our finite naturalresources but learn to produce and consume ‘cradle-to-cradle’)
- a new wave of policitians and other influencers in society (and luckily, the flexible Netherlandsare playing a pioneering role in cultural creativity).
To succeed in this new world, we desperately need better global governance. The biggest formsof influence at this point of time are either multinationals or nation states (see this TEDtalk onhow multinationals can save biodiversity).
TEDxAmsterdam news
After some well deserved coffee with macaroons, Jim Stolze presented some news andsurprises. Surrounded by Amsterdam history and Dutch art, he equated online video to modernday society what varnish was to 17th century painters like Rembrandt. Although the beautifulRijksmuseum represents the past, we still have a need for artists to be able to foresee, captureand spread ideas – an insight that struck Herman Wijffels during his time as museum director.“We like to think our speakers from this year’s event will have their own exhibition in thismuseum in 2110, as they have revolutionary thoughts.”
Amongst others, Alef Arendsen (on sustainable, electric mobility), Bart Koolen (on listening withsight), Anita Goel (on personalized diagnosis) and Peter van Lindonk (on ringmastering theWorld Circus) were announced as speakers (you can check out the updated program here).
Jim also told the audience a bit more about why the lights went out on the Leidseplein earlierthis month. It has something to do with 3D projections on the outside of the City Theater,because TED is about ideas worth spreading beyond the theater walls. Also, more than 40simulcast locations are ready to screen the livestream in high quality. And the director? That’sMarnix Kaart, well-known and respected for his cinematographic qualities in live productionssuch as the Uitmarkt, Popstars and Zomergasten.
In 2009, TEDxAmsterdam visitors had insect bonbons as a treat… Well, this year we will notonly offer sustainable food, there is sustainable ‘crockery’ to eat it from, too. Let me make a safebet that the speakers’ ideas will inedeed endure another 100 years.
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POSTED BY RANDOLPH ON OCT 28, 2010
Growing towards a sustainable futureLouise Fresco’s talk at TED 2009Merlijn Twaalfhoven: Art is the new journalismAmsterdam youth: step on stage and participateVIDEO: Kevin Kelly on what technology wantsVIDEO: Merlijn Twaalfhoven on reconnecting art and lifeEarth WaterTowards a circular economyWho’s Who at TEDxAmsterdam?“What are we doing?”
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The officialmagazine forTEDxAmsterdam2010 is availablenow. Featuringinterviews withspeakers, guestsand some behind-the-scenes footage.Order online beforeNovember 8th.
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Co-founder of WIRED magazine (andspeaker at our event last year) Kevin Kellyhas a new book out: What TechnologyWants http://bit.ly/d5xwAh 1 week agoGuess who's #3 on the Innovation CitiesTop 100 Index? Clue: starts with 'A' andends with 'dam' ;) http://bit.ly/cIwple 1 weekago@jannekesluijs unfortunately not Janneke -maybe next year :( in reply to jannekesluijs1 week agoMore updates...Powered by Twitter Tools
Our future is not historyBart Koolen: Listening with my eyesPeter van Lindonk: The greatest show onearthRogier van der Heide: See the lightHans Teeuwen: Smooth and painful in theNetherlands
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