Organizer Interview With Mithun A. Sridharan
What initially drew you to TEDx?
As a TEDx speaker speaker myself and a long-time TED talks viewer, I was initially drawn to TEDx by its unique ability to showcase ideas that can change the world and provide a global platform to share local voices. Now, as a TEDx organizer, the opportunity to spark community connections, showcase inspiring ideas, and change perspectives at both, local and global levels is incredibly appealing. TEDx's commitment to multidisciplinary programs and rich storytelling resonate with my desire to promote disruptive thinking, deep conversations and create an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives could flourish.
What transformative idea do you hope to share or inspire?
The transformative idea that I wish to share and inspire is Exponential Thinking - the theme of TEDxParadeplatz event. I want to ignite a paradigm shift in how we approach problem-solving and innovation, moving from linear, incremental thinking to exponential, transformative thinking. The core of this idea is that by embracing exponential thinking, we can unlock solutions to global challenges at an unprecedented scale and speed. I want to inspire our audience to:
- Recognize the power of exponential growth in technology and its potential impact on society
- Shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and possibility
- Embrace disruptive innovation as a catalyst for positive change
- Develop the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world
Through an exponential mindset, I believe we can accelerate progress in areas such as climate change, healthcare, education, and economic development. The goal is to empower individuals and organizations to think beyond incremental improvements and instead aim for breakthrough solutions that can scale rapidly and create systemic change.
How has TEDx changed your perspective on innovation?
Organizing TEDxParadeplatz has profoundly shifted my perspective on innovation. Through this experience, I've come to understand that true innovation isn't just about creating new technologies or products; it's about nurturing a mindset of exponential thinking and collaborative problem-solving. This shift in perspective allows us to envision solutions that can scale rapidly and create systemic change, recognize the potential for breakthrough advancements in various fields, and approach global challenges with a mindset of abundance and possibility.
Curating speakers and attendees for TEDxParadeplatz has highlighted the crucial role of diversity in driving innovation. By bringing together individuals from various backgrounds and disciplines, we create an environment where cross-pollination of ideas leads to unexpected breakthroughs. Different viewpoints challenge established assumptions and spark creative solutions, while collaborative efforts amplify the impact of individual innovations. This diversity of thought and experience has shown me that innovation thrives when we embrace a wide range of perspectives and expertise.
Perhaps the most significant shift in my perspective is understanding that innovation's true value lies in its potential to create meaningful impact. TEDx has shown me that the most powerful innovations are those that address real-world problems and improve lives. Inspiring others to think differently can trigger widespread change, and innovation is not just about technology, but also about reimagining processes, systems, and societal norms. This realization has reinforced my belief in the power of ideas to transform the world and has inspired me to think beyond incremental improvements, aiming instead for transformative solutions that can address our most pressing global challenges.
Why did you choose to be part of the organizing team?
I chose to become a part of the organizing committee for TEDxParadeplatz because I believe in transformation through ideas and in creating platforms for them to be shared. As someone with an intrinsic motivation to drive innovation and positive change in a global community, I saw a chance to make a meaningful contribution through this opportunity. The prospect of integrating a range of voices, experiences, and expertise around the event theme - “Exponential Thinking” is particularly exciting.
As the Lead organizer, I have a direct accountability in shaping the direction of the event and in creating a real impact for our audience, both physical and virtual. With my team, I'm developing a program that not only inspires action, but also inspires reflection. In addition, I saw a chance to develop my leadership and events planning skills and work with a group of fellow enthusiasts with a similar desire to drive ideas worth spreading.
What does “ideas worth spreading” mean to you personally?
To me, “ideas worth spreading” are about the transformational power of ideas that can change our world. These are ideas that challenge our current paradigms, inspire us to think differently, and drive action. These are ideas that set solutions to some of the pressing global problems, bring singular propositions for complex questions, or give new dimensions to the familiar. Personally, I do think that ideas worth spreading should be the ones which, besides captivating our imagination, have practical applications to improve lives, foster understanding, or drive progress either in science, technology, art, or society. Such ideas often stem from different quarters and places-less-expected, which in turn underscores the necessity of creating forums where voices of all can be heard. It means, in effect, that “ideas worth spreading” epitomize the belief that knowledge shared sparks innovation, builds empathy, and shape a better future for all of us.
How do you see TEDxParadeplatz contributing to broader societal conversations?
TEDxParadeplatz, with its theme of “Exponential Thinking,” can make a significant contribution to broader societal conversations by challenging attendees to think beyond traditional boundaries and consider how rapid advancements can be harnessed for positive societal impact. The event aims to ignite imaginations and engage participants in transformative conversations that will empower them to harness this mindset for a brighter future. Through focus on exponential growth rather than linear progress, we seek to encourage discussions on how innovations in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and renewable energy can compound and interact, reshaping industries and enhancing our lives.
How does exponential thinking align with your personal or professional journey?
Exponential thinking has transformed my life and career. It has challenged me to go for not just incremental improvements, but actually for significant shifts that can make a real impact. On a personal level, having an exponential thinking frame of mind has encouraged me to go for larger objectives, make calculated moves, and seek out opportunities for growth and acceleration at all times. It's also encouraged me to have a deeper sense of accountability for working towards big, worldwide concerns, knowing that with such thinking, we can actually address challenging issues in new and innovative ways.
What breakthrough idea excites you most about our theme?
The exponential approach opens up possibilities for reimagining entire industries, creating new business models, and driving societal progress at an unprecedented pace. It's not just about adopting new technologies, but about exploiting them to their fullest potential to create exponential value. The concept of embracing uncertainty and empowering others to drive innovation, rather than relying on rigid control, also resonates strongly with me as a pathway to unlock extraordinary potential in individuals and organizations.
Can you share an example of exponential thinking you've witnessed?
I saw a perfect example of exponential thinking in action with the COVID-19 vaccines. Before 2020, mRNA vaccines were kind of a long shot, still mostly in the experimental phase. But then, suddenly, we desperately needed a vaccine, and things took off like a rocket. Research, development, production – everything sped up at an unbelievable pace. What normally might have dragged on for ten years, happened in less than one. It wasn't just about doing things faster; it was a whole new way of thinking about vaccine development. And now, because of how well the mRNA vaccines worked, we have a real shot at tackling other diseases and maybe even personalizing medicine in a way we never thought possible. It really shows how, when you combine this kind of exponential thinking with focused effort and resources, you can achieve breakthroughs that seemed totally out of reach just a little while before. It's a powerful reminder of how embracing exponential growth can completely transform entire fields and make a real difference in the world.
What makes our TEDx community special?
What makes our TEDx community so special is that it truly lives and breathes the “ideas worth spreading” mantra, but on a local level. We're nurturing innovation and sparking change right here where we live. As organizers of TEDxParadeplatz, we get to hand-pick a diverse group of speakers and topics that really hit home for our audience. We tackle local issues, but always connect them to the bigger, global picture. This year, our focus on “Exponential Thinking” is pushing everyone in our community to think outside the box and dream up transformative solutions to the challenges we face. We're bringing together a fantastic mix of local voices, rising stars, and established experts, creating a space where unexpected connections happen and groundbreaking ideas can take root. And because our event is run entirely by volunteers, you know it comes from the heart. There's a genuine passion for sharing knowledge and building community, with no hidden agendas – just pure enthusiasm. At the end of the day, what makes our TEDx community truly special is its ability to ignite meaningful conversations, fuel innovation, and inspire real action that can make a positive difference in our world.
What collaborative opportunities do you see emerging from our event?
Our TEDxParadeplatz event, with its theme of “Exponential Thinking,” is a launchpad for amazing collaborations. When you bring together such a diverse group of speakers and attendees, the ideas start bouncing off each other, creating all sorts of exciting possibilities. People will have the chance to connect with thought leaders and innovators from all kinds of different fields, which could easily spark new partnerships and projects using exponential technologies and forward-thinking approaches. Because we're focusing on such fast-moving areas like AI, biotech, and renewable energy, it's easy to imagine attendees teaming up across disciplines to tackle some of the world's biggest problems. These collaborations could lead to anything from innovative startups to groundbreaking research, or even community projects that apply exponential thinking to local and global issues. And the event itself is just the beginning. We want to keep the conversation going and encourage people to form interest groups or working sessions afterward. This way, they can dive deeper into how exponential thinking applies to their own work and keep collaborating on solutions to the challenges we discuss at the talks.
How do you define innovation in 2025, and how can TEDx events foster it?
Innovation in 2025 is all about a few key things: thinking exponentially, working together to solve problems, and weaving emerging technologies into everything we do to create truly transformative solutions. It's about tapping into the collective brilliance of everyone and using AI as a springboard for breakthroughs in all sorts of fields. The focus is on creating entirely new ways of doing things, not just tweaking what we already have.
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