November Staff Picks by Phillip

Here at the DAI, everyone shares a love for culture – whether it is art, philosophy, science, or anything that influences past, present, or near-future society. Yet with such a broad array of speakers, we all cannot share identical interests.

Hi, my name is Phillip. I work in the PR department here at the DAI. I am a 24-years-old American living in Heidelberg. Since working here at the DAI, I’ve finally been able to understand why we can have over 1,000 different offerings for the public. The DAI has so many amazing programs, classes, and lectures to offer. However, not all of them interest me. That is why I am writing recommendations for November in accordance with my personal interests.

First, a little background information about myself. I am the only Generation Z’er in the office space here at the DAI. My educational background consists of various degrees focusing on Art History, Business, Economics, and Sociology. Outside of working in the PR department at the DAI, I also run an online radio station that aims at lending a helping hand for artists. I spend most of my free time learning about and interesting my self with topics such as digitalization, consumerism, social psychology, and social inequality. Below you’ll find some particular recommendation to events picked by yours truly – me!

Gamification
Thursday the 7th of November, 8:00 PM

This lecture is a compelling panel for me because it reflects both a real and a humorous societal shift that my generation has witnessed – the growth of video game culture. My generation grew up loving video games, we’d stay awake till 3 AM playing them, and spending our weekends entering competitions for small cash prizes. Justifiably, most of our parents kept telling us that video games were a waste of our time. Ironically, society, with the help of the internet, has taken a dramatic turn on this argument.

Today, the kids who didn’t listen to their parents are now making millions of dollars through esports. Parents are now willing to pay for gaming coaches for their children. Gaming is now cool and seen as an opportunity for success. This panel discussion featuring a psychologist, an economist, and an entrepreneur, will cover precisely this phenomenon by asking the questions, “What happens when the desire for games becomes a form of serious work?” and “What happens when the desire for games becomes an addiction?”

Sarah Kabir – “In a divided society, it is necessary to address the heart.”
Monday 11th of November, 8:00 PM

I’m putting this into my recommendations for November because I believe this will be an enlightening insight into a war that received little publicity – the Sri Lankan Civil War. I, myself, am a pacifist and wish no war upon any individual or society. However, the subject of war does interest me in particular ways, much similar to what Sarah Kabir will present about the war. She plans to retell the story of the war from 20 individuals from both sides of the conflict. Me being an individual with strong morals, and a foundation of empathy, I am curious to hear why young men and women are willing to die for their ideals. I want to witness the unimaginable tales of these individuals and how it has impacted their island’s coming generations.

Barry Sanders – The Global Race for Quantum Supremacy
Tuesday 12th of November, 8:00 PM

Quantum computing is a buzz word in the tech industry and the business world. Supposedly this technology is like no other, for the computer can run multiple codes simultaneously. Truthfully, I have no clue about quantum computing and will use this lecture as an opportunity to understand both the technology and the use of it as a tool for society. I also, just for safekeeping, want to make sure that the human race will not be overrun by a race of AIs.

Max Shtein – Toward The Grand Unified Theory of Innovation
Friday 22th of November, 20:00 Uhr

Being a small business owner, I’m continually looking for ways to innovate my business to help bring solutions to my customers’ problems. What I know is, innovation is key to evolving your business, yet it is the most challenging aspect. Max Shtein will be going into his Grand Unified Theory of Innovation – which uses art, science, and economics to explain the world of innovation. I am already familiar with frameworks such as Schumpeter’s gale, the s-curve of adoption, product cycles, or open innovation. And Max Shtein takes all these various frameworks and brings them to a single unified whole. Others in the entrepreneur world say that if you understand this grand unified theory, it will help your company find its future.