Scout and Scale: Unlocking Collective Genius | Jacqueline Jones & Megan Smith | TEDxBoston

Quick Overview

Megan Smith and Jacqueline Jones discuss leveraging collective genius and community networks, like the global Fab Lab network and the UN Solutions Summit, to foster innovation and tackle global challenges, emphasizing the importance of empowering local doers and creating inclusive frameworks.

Key Points: The discussion highlights the success of the UN Solutions Summit, which gathered over 1,400 solutions-in-progress from more than 141 countries in just three weeks. Jacqueline Jones described the concept of 'collective genius' as essential for solving complex problems, citing examples like the 800 people writing in to protest the Apollo 11 launch cost relative to feeding starving children. Megan Smith emphasized the importance of empowering 'doers' and building inclusive frameworks, referencing the need to move away from relying solely on government or large corporations for solutions. The global Fab Lab Network features over 3,000 labs in 150+ countries, demonstrating a massive existing infrastructure for community innovation and making. The concept of 'Scout and Scale' involves identifying exceptionally talented individuals or groups who are already solving problems locally and amplifying their work. Smith contrasted the self-organized, temporary community of Burning Man with a refugee camp of similar size to illustrate the difference between voluntary, creative organization and imposed structures. The conversation stressed the need to support diverse voices, referencing historical figures like Ada Lovelace and Katherine Johnson, and contemporary groups like Women Techsters, to ensure solutions are inclusive and effective.

Context: This TEDxBoston presentation features Jacqueline Jones and Megan Smith in a dialogue about fostering innovation through collective action and community empowerment, particularly focusing on how to identify, support, and scale solutions developed by diverse individuals globally. The speakers draw parallels between historical examples of social action and modern technological networks like the Fab Labs, framing their discussion around the idea of unlocking 'collective genius' to address major societal issues, including those highlighted by the UN Sustainable Development Goals.