Joi Ito, the director of the MIT Media Lab, offers a compelling perspective on how to navigate our rapidly changing world by becoming a “now-ist.” This approach champions building and deploying innovative ideas quickly, without waiting for permission or extensive planning.
Ito backs up his argument with examples of groundbreaking projects at the Media Lab that embody the “now-ist” philosophy. These include a low-cost eye-tracking device, a citizen science network for monitoring radiation levels in Japan, and a platform for crowdsourcing crisis response. These real-world successes demonstrate the power of action-driven innovation.
He contrasts the “now-ist” approach with the traditional “planner” method, which relies on top-down control, prediction, and permission. In today’s complex and unpredictable world, Ito contends that the planner approach is quickly becoming outdated. The cost of innovation is decreasing, and the pace of change is accelerating, making adaptability and speed critical.
For those looking to embrace the “now-ist” mindset, Ito outlines key skills to prioritize: favor learning over formal education, value resilience over raw strength, emphasize systems over singular objects, prefer compasses that guide rather than rigid maps, prioritize practice over theoretical knowledge, and choose disobedience in pursuit of innovation over blind compliance. Furthermore, he underscores the significance of diversity, collaboration, and openness in fostering innovative solutions.
In conclusion, Ito challenges us to adopt the “now-ist” culture and mindset if we aspire to tackle humanity’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, poverty, and inequality. He invites us to join him in the journey of creating, sharing, and learning.
In my opinion, this “now-ist” perspective is not just innovative; it’s a necessity in a world where change is the only constant. Embracing this mindset allows us to tackle the world’s most significant problems with agility and creativity, making a more profound impact on the challenges that matter most.
