You've heard people say that "technology won't save us" and I won't argue with that. We've got major, looming problems and I believe our lives will continue to be scarred by catastrophes caused by fearful, short-sighted people. Powerful tech won't fix that problem.
However, my industry of makers is changing the world, and not because we're building smarter phones with streaming movies: we're making an impact because everyone is pouring their time, talents, and energy into solutions. And when I say everyone, I mean almost everyone I meet from the most admired people to the most thought-provoking people to the hardest working, unrecognized people who do their work well because they love it. And we're passionate about every area... security and hunger and crime and transportation and disasters and, yes, even entertainment and the humanities.
Some may be focused on personal power or may not consider our general welfare or may even be implementing things that are harmful in the long-term; however, all the videos and podcasts and written words overwhelmingly express their passion for fixing the world, and it's that communication and mindset that is going to shape the world.
This will save us because it's more than a positive, hopeful attitude. The generation of makers values repeated trials and failures, candid judgments, and brutally honest collaboration because nobody has all the right answers... in fact, we may not have even asked the right questions yet. But you can be sure that this multitude of inquisitive explorers is going to quest until they get there. And then the next quest will begin.
That's what shaping our future. It's a constant struggle to keep ourselves focused. But the momentum has been growing for a while, and I believe it's already unstoppable.
