The Singularity Summit at Stanford
On May 13, 2006, the Singularity Summit at Stanford brought the leading thinkers, futurists, and researchers to speak with each other and present together on stage.
I had a unique day. While almost everyone else focused on the discussions, I was behind the scenes as event coordinator. I worked with the amazing student team from Stanford, who were variously members of the campus Transhumanist Association or students from the Symbolic Systems Program, and incredible volunteer supporters. We worked as well with Stanford Events and altogether approximately one hundred people behind stage and out in front with a simple goal - let's make the day about the ideas. Let's ensure the incredible speakers and enthusiastic audience had the space, time, and opportunity to think.
The hidden story of the event included many highlights.
We had decided to provide easy to eat, fast lunches for 1200 people on a very tight schedule. And last minute, without forethought, 4 of us (with headsets) managed to donate the leftover food and water to a local charity. This was a Saturday and the food was fresh. And within half an hour, Stanford Catering had donated their time to pickup and deliver the food to the charity. Unbelievable. Generous. And fun.
The summit presenters were amazing, on stage and off. Cory Doctorow blogged collaboratively from stage with half a dozen audience members. Bill McKibben arrived virtually via Teleportec 3D teleconference, and appeared as if sitting on stage. The marvels of technology used to communicate.
I personally had lucky run ins with a few science fiction writers. I had been assisting a gentleman and his group with directions to the reception dinner. Later in the evening he introduced himself as Larry Niven. The Larry Niven. And the others included Jerry Pournelle and John McCarthy. I went from professional to fan in an instant. "Wow, you're Larry Niven? I've read all your books." Silly grin and all. And I dined with Rudy Rucker and Cory who led the table in a most engaging dinner conversation about their current writing directions.
I met dozens of incredible people during the two events, in between my organizing tasks. Two people stand out, the two I worked most closely with, Yonah Berwaldt (and his incredible family) and Tyler Emerson. These two made the summit happen. And Yonah did so while writing midterms.
I didn't have the opportunity to take photos. Luckily, others did.
A full video of the event will be available online shortly, and I plan to download and view it all. The interesting side effect of running an event is in not actually having the time to really attend.
Behind the scenes, making it happen. I'll be returning to San Francisco, and likely Palo Alto, this summer. And moving shortly after. I want to touch this community, and help it grow. At the end of the day, this is about fostering researchers in bringing about a benign, even friendly, singularity. Curious about this? Check out the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
I had a unique day. While almost everyone else focused on the discussions, I was behind the scenes as event coordinator. I worked with the amazing student team from Stanford, who were variously members of the campus Transhumanist Association or students from the Symbolic Systems Program, and incredible volunteer supporters. We worked as well with Stanford Events and altogether approximately one hundred people behind stage and out in front with a simple goal - let's make the day about the ideas. Let's ensure the incredible speakers and enthusiastic audience had the space, time, and opportunity to think.
The hidden story of the event included many highlights.
We had decided to provide easy to eat, fast lunches for 1200 people on a very tight schedule. And last minute, without forethought, 4 of us (with headsets) managed to donate the leftover food and water to a local charity. This was a Saturday and the food was fresh. And within half an hour, Stanford Catering had donated their time to pickup and deliver the food to the charity. Unbelievable. Generous. And fun.
The summit presenters were amazing, on stage and off. Cory Doctorow blogged collaboratively from stage with half a dozen audience members. Bill McKibben arrived virtually via Teleportec 3D teleconference, and appeared as if sitting on stage. The marvels of technology used to communicate.
I personally had lucky run ins with a few science fiction writers. I had been assisting a gentleman and his group with directions to the reception dinner. Later in the evening he introduced himself as Larry Niven. The Larry Niven. And the others included Jerry Pournelle and John McCarthy. I went from professional to fan in an instant. "Wow, you're Larry Niven? I've read all your books." Silly grin and all. And I dined with Rudy Rucker and Cory who led the table in a most engaging dinner conversation about their current writing directions.
I met dozens of incredible people during the two events, in between my organizing tasks. Two people stand out, the two I worked most closely with, Yonah Berwaldt (and his incredible family) and Tyler Emerson. These two made the summit happen. And Yonah did so while writing midterms.
I didn't have the opportunity to take photos. Luckily, others did.
A full video of the event will be available online shortly, and I plan to download and view it all. The interesting side effect of running an event is in not actually having the time to really attend.
Behind the scenes, making it happen. I'll be returning to San Francisco, and likely Palo Alto, this summer. And moving shortly after. I want to touch this community, and help it grow. At the end of the day, this is about fostering researchers in bringing about a benign, even friendly, singularity. Curious about this? Check out the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence.
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