The Innovation Delusion and the Value of Maintenance with Andrew Russell and Lee Vinsel

02/08/23 • 54 min

"Innovation" is one of those words that has, unfortunately, been used so frequently as to almost be without meaning. What began as an economic term to describe productivity gains from technology, has morphed into a catch-all for anything new or different, regardless of whether it improves our lives or not.
The pursuit of this nebulous idea of innovation as an ultimate goal has crowded out much of the important, less exciting work that keeps our world functioning. We idolize "innovators" and "disruptors", but undervalue the simple, daily tasks of maintenance necessary for the upkeep of both our physical and digital infrastructure.
This week on The Buzz, we're joined by Andrew Russell and Lee Vinsel, authors of the book, "The Innovation Delusion" and co-founders of The Maintainers, a global research network studying the concepts of maintenance, infrastructure, repair, and the myriad forms of labor and expertise that sustain our human-built world.
More from The Maintainers at https://themaintainers.org/
Referenced in this episode:

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Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

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The Power Law with Sebastian Mallaby

In the annals of tech history, few places carry as weighty a reputation as Silicon Valley. The very name is synonymous with the US technology sector. Somehow, this small region of Northern California has managed to produce nearly all of the most successful and most dominant technology companies in modern history. To the untrained eye, the story of Silicon Valley appears almost magical.
Yet to this week's guest, the success of Silicon Valley is perfectly logical, and indeed, replicable, under the right conditions. The key is venture capital.
In his book, The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future, journalist Sebastian Mallaby, examines the unique attributes that enabled the venture capital system to produce such rapid innovation, in Silicon Valley and beyond.

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A Federal Quantum Primer with Tim Gilday and Sabina Sokol

Even for those with significant experience in the technology field, the concept of quantum computing can feel intimidating. After all, it is a field involving the notoriously complex theories governing subatomic particles, the physical engineering challenges of supercomputer construction, and the higher-level mathematics of computer cryptography.
And if that sentence made your head spin, then this episode of The Buzz might be a good place to start. The potential applications of quantum computing make it an area of research for the federal government, and while the technology is still in its infancy, we should be prepared for what it may bring in the near future.
So to help us understand why quantum computing matters, we're joined by Tim Gilday and Sabina Sokol, Industry Chair and Resource Management & Education Advisor, respectively, for ACT-IAC's Quantum Knowledge Group.
Resources:
Quantum Panel from Emerging Tech Conference 2022
Sabina's Briefing on Federal Quantum Cyber Guidance
Learn more at Girls in Quantum
Register for the 2023 Emerging Technology Conference from May 7th - 9th!
Use code EARLYBIRD for $75 off registration until February 28th.