The Sustainable Solution to Our World’s Pressing Problems | Aisa Mijeno | TEDxiACADEMY

Summary

The speaker discusses the exponential growth of technology over the past decades, highlighting the invention of transistors and the birth of the Information Age. Despite technological advancements, there remains a significant disparity in access to basic needs like clean water, electricity, and internet connectivity, particularly in developing economies. The speaker questions whether technology alone is the solution to the world's pressing problems, referencing the Industrial Revolution and its environmental impact. They share personal experiences of witnessing simple machinery improve the lives of communities in Vietnam and the Philippines, emphasizing the role of creativity and innovation in addressing challenges. The speaker introduces a 14-year-old from Malawi who built a windmill from scrap materials, and their own invention of a salt lamp system, both born out of necessity and creativity. They conclude that human values are the key drivers for using technology to solve global issues, advocating for a holistic approach that addresses basic human needs and empowers communities to take charge of their own development.

Takeaways

• 📈 **Exponential Growth**: The rapid technological advancement in recent decades, especially since the invention of transistors and the birth of Moore's Law, has led to an exponential growth in computational power and data access.
• 🌐 **Digital Divide**: Despite technological progress, there is a significant disparity in technology access, with many people in developing economies lacking basic infrastructure like clean water, electricity, and internet connectivity.
• 🏭 **Industrial Revolutions**: The speaker reflects on the progression of industrial revolutions, noting the environmental and social costs, and questioning whether technology is ultimately destructive to the planet.
• 🔨 **Ned Ludd's Legacy**: Reference to Ned Ludd, who symbolizes resistance to industrialization, suggesting a need to consider the human and environmental impacts of technological change.
• 🌟 **Positive Impacts**: Technology has also brought about numerous positive changes, such as megastructures, moon landings, improved literacy, increased life expectancy, and enhanced logistics.
• 🍜 **Local Innovation**: Simple machinery and local innovations, like a rice noodle machine made from recycled materials, can significantly improve productivity and quality of life in rural communities.
• 🧵 **Grassroots Creativity**: Creativity, as seen in traditional weaving and other crafts, is a powerful human expression that can be a key to solving problems, suggesting that technology is just one aspect of human ingenuity.
• 💡 **Human-Centered Solutions**: The founder of an NGO from Bangladesh emphasizes the importance of human values in addressing core problems, suggesting that technology should be used to support and amplify these values.
• 🌱 **Sustainable Innovation**: The speaker shares their own experience of creating a salt lamp system, motivated by the challenges faced by people without access to electricity, highlighting the role of innovation in sustainable solutions.
• 🌍 **Global Connectivity**: The power of technology is seen in its ability to connect people globally, as evidenced by the Egyptian revolution, which was facilitated by social media.
• 🏆 **Beyond Trophies**: The speaker argues that human values should be prioritized over accolades and credentials, as they are the true drivers of altruistic goals and the most compelling force for positive change.
• 📖 **Education and Experience**: A young innovator from Malawi, despite limited formal education, was able to create a windmill using local resources, demonstrating how creativity can be molded by experience and necessity.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'hockey stick' growth mentioned in the transcript?

The 'hockey stick' growth refers to the exponential technological advancement that occurred in recent decades, particularly following the invention of transistors and the establishment of Moore's Law. It symbolizes a rapid increase in technological capabilities and their widespread impact on society.

What marked the beginning of the Information Age according to the speaker?

The beginning of the Information Age was marked by the successful communication between a client and a server by Tim Berners-Lee, which led to the revolution of the World Wide Web.

What are some of the problems that developing economies are facing despite technological progress?

Developing economies are facing problems such as lack of access to clean water, inadequate infrastructure for communication and data sharing, and limited access to electricity and lighting.

How many people worldwide are reported by the World Bank to not have access to clean water?

According to the World Bank, approximately 780 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water.

What is the speaker's perspective on the role of technology in solving the world's pressing problems?

The speaker believes that while technology has the potential to solve many of the world's problems, it is not the sole solution. Human values and creativity play a significant role in addressing these issues, and technology should be used in conjunction with these values.

What is the historical reference to Ned Ludd and its relevance to the speaker's discussion?

Ned Ludd was a figure from the 18th century who famously smashed a stocking frame, leading to a revolt against machinery. The speaker uses this reference to illustrate the historical tension between technological advancement and its impact on society.

How did the speaker's experience in Lao Cai province, North Vietnam, influence their views on technology?

The speaker witnessed a simple machine made from recycled materials that significantly improved the productivity and quality of life for a community of 50 households. This experience demonstrated the transformative power of simple technology and innovation in addressing local needs.

What is the 'salt lamp' lighting system that the speaker created?

The 'salt lamp' is an innovative lighting system that uses ocean water or salt water as a medium to activate and power up LEDs. It can also charge low-power mobile devices and was inspired by the challenges faced by people in obtaining kerosene for light.

What does the speaker believe is the key to solving the world's most pressing problems?

The speaker believes that human values are the key to solving the world's most pressing problems. They argue that technology should be used in conjunction with these values to create a scalable solution that can bring about positive change.

How does the speaker describe the importance of human values in the context of technological development?

The speaker emphasizes that human values should be at the center of technological development. They argue that values such as self-respect, dignity, and community empowerment are crucial for sustainable development and should be integrated with technological solutions.

What is the speaker's final message regarding the direction of innovation?

The speaker's final message is that innovation is accelerating at an exponential rate and it needs to be directed with human values. They stress the importance of ensuring that technological advancements align with and serve to enhance human values for the betterment of society.