SolidWorks World 2008 was again a great event. It was a great opportunity to meet wonderful individuals who are willing to share their ideas, experiences, frustrations and solutions. The general sessions this year where very inter-related and the start of my discussion on the event. I thought the ideas of Dr. Norman speaking about designing for people was a great point, perhaps over simplified in his presentation, but valid none the less. I think SolidWorks had demonstrated its ability to focus on the people in the business of design by having more SolidWorks employees providing sessions. Please don't get me wrong, I believe real users presenting is incredibly valuable and necessary. The fact that more sessions were offered by SolidWorks employees is SoldiWorks employees there was a demonstration of truly focusing on the users themselves. In several sessions I had attended there had been one or two other individuals in the back taking note of questions or supporting the answer presented from questions by the attendees. I know it may be my simple observation, but I think it is worth noting.
Getting back to the general sessions, there is was a buzz among groups of people, and I know I had been one, discussing Theo Jansen, a kinetic sculptor. I have seen other people describe him as a mad genius or a modern say Leonardo DeVinci. He was definitely a unique man and very intriguing to listen to about his creations. He will be remembered by many, if not everyone, that had attended that day.
Dr. Robert Ballard had also spoken at the general sessions and was extraordinary in his explanation of technological developments shaping the world he knows and researches. He was certain to stress the importance of our future generations and what they can and will accomplish. One point he made was for all of his accomplishments in science, it was not until his discovery of the Titanic he had begun receiving letters from children explaining how they hope to be a scientist one day and his number one request in these letters was "Take me with you.", and with todays technology that is almost possible. He had spoken of how in 1981 he had written on the future of undersea exploration and that some day a scientist/explorer could research from thousands of miles away with remote robotic technology. It was inspiring to see how the visions of the future and what technology could do for us over time resulting in being part of a paradigm shift in the way things are done.
Another speaker also shared the concerns of our children in the United States and their interaction with technology and science, Mr. Dean Kamen the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and inventor of the Segway. I have not begun to look into this in depth personally; I do plan on finding out more. http://www.usfirst.org/ His mission and vision were very clear. The concern on the youth of our society not being more involved with science and technology. He has taken action to change and shape the minds and ideas of youth and emphasized the value in science and technology to these children.
All of these speakers had the theme of the conference clear in their message: to "inspire". At SolidWorks World 2007 there was a young lady whom had spoken of a vision with automobiles. Anna Jaffe, from SolidWorks World 2007, was a brief topic that The SolidWorks Users Group Leaders Network had briefly discussed about the potential of providing support to Anna and her team at MIT. I don't have many details now but I will certainly bring them back here. Potentially being part of the Vehicle Design Summit is an exciting opportunity to contribute to valuable goals. Perhaps become part of an inspired idea and contribute to a shift as well.
There are certainly many other things I will discuss in the next few days and weeks from this event and I thought the general sessions are a great place to start.
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