8 Things I Learned At 8500 Feet From 850 Incredible People
Jul 30, 2013, 12:10pm EDT
This past week, I attended Summit Outside, an 850-person gathering of entrepreneurs, artists, investors, and thinkers on Powder Mountain in Utah. The experience was incredible — it provided a glimpse into the future of medicine, the nature of relationships, and the pursuit of happiness. Here’s what I learned:
1. Medicine will become preventative and personalized. Our current system is more “sickcare” than healthcare. That will change. Rob Brazell, a medical futurist, led a discussion with Drs. Dietrich Stephan, Partho Sengupta, and Bala Ambati. The central theme was a shift in approach, not technology. Quantity and quality of life will be determined based on individual genetics and giving clear economic choices to patients. This starts by testing and understanding an individual’s predisposition to certain outcomes, then adjusting lifestyle and accessing personalized techniques to minimize the most likely health detractors.
2. Art creates change. Explorer Conrad Anker climbs to combat climate change. Musician L.P. sings to inspire and explore. Photographer JR combines art and action to examine freedom and identity. Philippe Petit walks on wires and performs magic to defy authority and celebrate individuality. These artists showed that change is activated by honest expression, and each of us must find our outlet for our authentic selves.
3. It’s never too late to start over. One of my most enriching experiences came from a conversation with Heracio Harts, a former prisoner of San Quentin. After making, in his own words, “some very bad decisions,” Heracio dedicated his life to serving others. The culmination was his participation in The Last Mile, the brainchild of venture capitalist Chris Redlitz that helps soon-to-be-released prisoners launch tech-based entrepreneurial ventures. With the help of Hollywood producer and juvenile inmate advocate Scott Budnick, Chris was able to help Heracio and his peers remake their lives through entrepreneurship. Heracio’s thoughtfulness, ingenuity, and gratitude served as a reminder that it’s never too late to start over. Read more…
Author: Brent Beshore | Google+ | @brentbeshore | LinkedIn