NASA's Anna McGowan

I had the honor of speaking at the first TEDxNASA, which took place on November 20, 2009.  I was thrilled to be involved because of my respect for both TED and NASA — and also because I had the sense that this was the start of something big.  What’s started is more than just a TED offshoot.  What’s started is a new, diverse, creative community that blends the rocket science of NASA with the “ideas worth spreading” philosophy of TED. Unless I miss my guess TEDxNASA will emerge over the next few years as the premier TEDx event.  It will also, I predict, serve as a focal point for a new, and inspiring, deliberate creativity and innovation community.

TEDx is a relatively new thing.  To backfill to the uninformed, TED, the parent organization, is a rather exclusive conference.  It’s expensive and has a very limited guest list.  However the 18 minute talks by various visionaries are all available online, free.  To put it simply, the videos are remarkable in there diversity and cutting edge insight; if you aren’t watching these, you’re missing something.  TEDx is a new program that enables local communities such as schools, businesses, libraries, neighborhoods or just groups of friends to organize, design and host their own independent, TED-like events.

TEDx events are popping up everywhere.  Which is not to say that all TEDx events are created equal.

A visionary manager at NASA, Steve Craft, decided — 8 weeks ago — to host a TEDx event in Newport News, Virginia, near NASA facilities. I understand that there were those who questioned the wisdom of trying to pull off a TEDx that quickly. Well, don’t underestimate a motivated individual with smarts and resources.  Steve pulled off an amazing event together with the help of a slew of dedicated volunteers. The event was truly remarkable in it’s quality — and diversity. You might think that with NASA involved it would be all about Space and Aeronautics.  Not so. The speakers were an exquisitely chosen group, with artists, sculptors, singers, neuro-scientists, business consultants, visionaries, and authors.  I was humbled and proud to be part of that group. And yes, there were a couple of rocket scientists!  Without exception they had something unique to offer. It was inspiring.

I’ve read a few other blog posts on the program.  I have to say that I think some (a minority) of those well intentioned scribes didn’t quite get the point. TEDxNASA was never intended to be a “space” oriented conference.  It was meant to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the fore. Fresh, outside-our-normal views, beyond our domain, tend to help us within our domain by giving us new data we can combine with what we are doing. This is one way innovation happens. In that sense, this conference may end up being quite helpful to NASA’s objectives, and I think NASA was well served to sponsor and support it.

I can’t review every aspect of the program here, but, a few highlights included:

Guitarist Mike Rayburn, a dynamic entertainer with a message about creativity. How can someone so funny also be such a great and inventive guitarist?  Amazed that this truly big time entertainer would fly into Virginia and do a performance for free.

Steve Shapiro, delivered the punchiest six minute talk about innovation I think I’ve ever seen. Full of insight about how expertise can actually get in the way of innovation, and how to take advantage of diversity and different ways of thinking.

Jana Stanfield sang twice during the day.  Her lilting voice and songs about courage were powerful, and her duet with the deaf language sign-er was unforgettable.

Mitch Albom (of Tuesdays with Morrie fame) closed the conference with a powerful talk about faith.

Pat Rawlings, the space age illustrator, gave a fascinating down-to-earth talk about how an artist works with engineers.  Call it left brain meets right brain and makes graphic music.

Nancy Vogl gave a heartfelt and highly personal talk about racial diversity and tolerance. It was a remarkable and timely message.

The NASA speakers also opened eyes. I particularly liked Anna McGowan who described air travel as the 3-D web.  Her insights regarding the impact of air travel on the economy was thought provoking.  Joel Levine’s video of a Mars exploration vehicle was truly space age.

Dr. Dennis Hong of Virginia Tech showed some cutting edge robotic technology and gave us his innovation philosophy.  It looks like it’s working!

Sam Horn held the day together with her eloquent and smooth emcee work.

There was more…and I hope this happens again next year!