Me with: Matt Groening, Steve Wozniak, & Bello Nock

My life was turned upside down in Monterey, CA last weekend.  How did I get there? Why did I go? (especially with finals the following week!) What compelled me? The factor, of course! :)  I saw possibilities in Monterey and literally dropped everything, booked hotel and flight, without available funds, per se, and hoped my parents would be okay with it.

Never before have I been in a room with so many people with the factor before.  These individuals were energetic, inspiring, driven, creative, and entrepreneurial visionaries.  Some of the people I met and interviewed include Steve Wozniak, Matt Groening, Tim Ferriss, Amy Tan, Mike Rowe, and Peter Diamandis. The experience and inspirational advice from these people were out of this world.

So - I was blown away in Monterey for 4 main reasons:

1) The revolutionary ideas, breaking research, and global progress presented to us.

For example, one of my favorite talks was Dan Ariely’s on his research and book - “Predictably Irrational.” He has dissected human behavior and discovered some pretty wild results that are difficult to explain.  For example, “I give you a choice. A trip to Rome. Or a weekend in Paris. All expenses covered. And most choose Paris. But what if I added a fourth condition. You get a trip to Rome or Paris, all expenses paid. But no breakfast is included in Paris. You have to pay for the breakfast in Paris. Suddenly, Rome with breakfast becomes more desired than Rome without breakfast.”  So I ask - how are you irrational?

Another one was David MaCaulay, author of “How Do We Work?” One day, he decided that he wanted to understand — really understand — how everything inside of us works.  So he created illustrations of our insides using everyday items.

Bruce Shapiro.  The perfect example of an inquisitive and curious human mind.  He is a true inventor, and I was captivated by the creations he brought on stage.  For example, he discovered how to make bubbles shape into someone’s face.

David Gallo on his and Bill Lange’s unbelievable discoveries miles below the sea level.  Fish living in 200 degree celsius water in underwater lakes.  Someone from the audience joked, “hard to cook fish!”

Or Zahi Hawass, from the Discovery Channel, retelling his discover of King Tut!  (Zahi is one of the most passionate people I’ve ever seen present)

2) Main lesson: a truly simple idea can quickly evolve into something intense, powerful, popular, or captivating.

For example, check out speaker Matt Harding’s video on Youtube.  Simple, fun, exciting, compelling.  From a simple idea, Harding’s dances have become iconic and community-inspiring.

Or, for a powerful switch of gears, look at Miru Kim’s work.  Never in my life have I seen something like this.

3) It is critical to open your world up past your main interest and goal / ambition in life. For example, on a limited college budget, I try to only attend business-related conferences being a business / entrepreneurial-minded student.  However, after having been exposed to research, ideas, and breakthroughs in oceanography, photography, sustainability, space exploration, lifestyle design, and many others, I’ve realized that diversity of perspective is critical to becoming an interesting and well-cultured person that people want to not only work with, but converse with.

4) Quality & Creativity of the Event: Ever wonder how it feels to be wined and dined?? Not only amazing were the obvious extras, but the thought and creativity that came along with them.

For example, when the conference began, no one came to the stage and welcomed us verbally.  Instead, Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe left us buzzing for more with their captivating piano duet. They got your blood flowing, your head buzzing, your eyes wide open, and your senses jazzing.  As an event-planner, I can’t imagine a better desired mood for your audience in opening seminar!

Also, when I got in line for registration (behind Amy Tan and Groening, by the way!) the registration staff handed me a deck of oversized playing cards, each one featuring a speaker.

There was a fun circus theme to everything, the idea of Michael Hawley, the EG’s Producer.  To signal the start of each seminar, they’d play loud circus music, which - I know - sounds absolutely looney, but it actually created a unique and exciting atmosphere.

I deeply thank all those who made this experience possible.  They know who they are.  My head is still swirling in inspiration and ideas, so I welcome anyone to reach out with questions or interest in any of the above topics.