Ashwin Seshagiri is a Green Team member at eBay, the world's largest community for the exchange of used, vintage, and repurposed goods. Find out more at ebay.com/greenteam.
Photo Courtesy of PopTech
Every year, an improbable cast of characters descends upon the sleepy town of Camden, Maine for an often under-hyped, consistently jaw-dropping event--the PopTech Conference.
PopTech's tagline is simply put: pworld-changing people, projects, and ideas. It's a collaboration of people who are using technology, creativity, and the collective power of storytelling to address some of the most challenging issues facing the world today.
Alex Steffen, the man behind Worldchanging, spoke in 2006 about the sustainable future of the planet. Caleb Chung, the inventor of the Furby toy (remember 1998, anyone?), spoke about the unique intersection of artistry, empathy, and the science of technology.
The highlights of past PopTech conferences are smattered with stories like these--people you may or may not have heard of before, talking about everything from the most complicated scientific stuff to the simplest of childhood toys.
However, what is constant among all of them is that, despite the gloom and doom of world hunger and poverty and climate change, these are all people who are wildly optimistic of the future. They believe that together we can make a big difference.
They are, as some might say, change makers.
Healthcare, Meet the 21st Century
Take for example Jay Parkinson and Hello Health. Speaking at last year's conference, Parkinson up until recently had no office, no secretary, and for all intents and purposes, did not fit the image of the doctor. That's because he is not the quintessential doctor.
Dubbed "Dr. IM," Parkinson is re-imagining the doctor/patient relationship with using a 21st century toolkit. Patients can connect with Dr. Parkinson via social networks, video chat, or even by text message. He doesn't work directly with insurance companies; you pay for consultations via PayPal.
His quality and standards of care are on par with other home-visiting, or "concierge," doctors. Yet, Parkinson's Web 2.0 version speaks to a new generation--a generation that values the interconnectedness of community--offering a new way of keeping people well.
Carrying Light on Our Shoulders: Local Action Producing Global Impact
FLAP bags are a part of a unique collaboration to come out of PopTech this year with custom bag maker Timbuk2 and the Portable Light Project, a non-profit research, design, and engineering initiative. FLAP stands for Flexible Light and Power, and its hope is to give people in the developing world the freedom to access clean energy anytime, anywhere.
The bag has a solar panel, USB connection, and an LED light. It charges during the day, so you can plug in your cell phone or even light a room at night. The people behind the FLAP also created portable solar textile kits that can be used by the benefiting communities, who can utilize locally-sourced materials and incorporate local craft traditions.
FLAP attempts to address the millions of people across the world who live without electricity on a daily basis, not to mention facilitate sustainable consumption.
Turn Everyday Objects into Hi-Tech Gadgets
Sticking with the theme of solar, two DIY "makers" will be showcasing what we all can do to capture a little of the magic, creativity, and imagination from this year's PopTech. Just down the street from where the main conference is being held, the two makers will be taking over a storefront and inviting attendees and other members of the public to transform everyday objects into hi-tech works of art, like laser lightshows made in vintage lunchboxes and solar powered robots with paperclips for legs.
Though it is constantly amazing to hear stories of the FLAP bag or Dr. Parkinson, the creative reuse of these "makers" represents a new dimension to how we envision our future. As this year's conference is themed, "America Reimagined," projects like these highlight the power and potential in reusing and repurposing the stuff that surrounds us on a daily basis.
Use what we already have as much as possible to meet our future needs. It places the issues in terms relative to you and I, people who may or may not have the answers to global issues quite yet but who care enough to do what we can, however large or small in scale.
PopTech starts today and goes through Saturday. You can see a live stream at thePopTech website
