Die ethische Verpflichtung zur Innovation. | David Akinjise | TEDxPFH Goettingen

Key Concepts

• Innovation Resistance: The psychological and societal barriers to adopting new ideas and technologies.
• Ethische Innovation: Innovation focused on solving problems and improving lives, considering societal impact.
• Communication of Innovation: The importance of storytelling and simplification in gaining acceptance for new ideas.
• Technological Advancements: Specifically, the potential of AI, Blockchain, and Virtual Reality to reshape the future.
• Historical Barriers to Innovation: The example of the ice cartel hindering the development of refrigeration.
• Behavioral Economics: The influence of psychological biases on decision-making, particularly loss aversion and resistance to change.

The Stalled Morning & Historical Innovation Blockades

The speaker begins with a humorous anecdote about attempting to start the day with a beverage, highlighting the absence of commonplace technologies like coffee, tea, and refrigerators in a hypothetical past. This serves as a springboard to discuss the obstacles faced by innovators throughout history. The example of the refrigerator is particularly detailed: while the technology existed in the 19th century, its widespread adoption was suppressed by the “Eiskartell” – a powerful lobby of transport companies and ice merchants who profited from natural ice distribution. This cartel actively influenced politics to create complex regulations that effectively blocked the market for mechanical refrigeration. This illustrates how established interests can actively hinder innovation, even when superior technology is available.

Why People Resist Innovation

The core of the presentation focuses on the reasons why people resist innovation. The speaker argues that the path of innovation isn’t a straightforward highway, but rather a “Geisterfahrt” (ghost ride) – a backwards journey in the dark, full of unexpected obstacles. Several key reasons for this resistance are outlined:

• “Never change a running system”: People prefer stability and are hesitant to disrupt something that already functions adequately.
• Fear of Risk: The evolutionary predisposition to avoid loss outweighs the potential for gain. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky’s research (1979) demonstrates that failures are more memorable than potential successes, influencing risk aversion. (Nobel Prize mentioned).
• Cognitive Load: The brain conserves energy, preferring simple solutions. Innovation requires learning and effort, which are energetically costly.
• Herd Mentality: People often wait for others to adopt an innovation before joining in, fearing being the first to take a risk.
• Perceived Lack of Benefit: A significant barrier is the belief that the innovation won’t personally benefit the individual. New processes might diminish someone’s importance, or new technologies could shift power dynamics.
• Innovation Fatigue: Over-promising and under-delivering on innovation leads to cynicism and apathy.

Communicating Innovation Effectively: The Copernican Example

The speaker emphasizes that a good idea is worthless without effective communication. He uses the example of Nicolaus Copernicus and his heliocentric model of the solar system. Had Copernicus presented his findings in a dismissive or arrogant manner ("The Earth now revolves around the Sun, and frankly, we're not as important anymore"), it likely would have been rejected. The success of the Copernican revolution hinged on how the idea was presented and ultimately accepted.

Three “golden rules” for communicating innovation are presented:

1. Tell a Story, Not a Manual: People connect with narratives, not technical instructions. Focus on why an innovation is valuable.
2. Surprise and Engage: Unexpected elements capture attention and increase memorability.
3. Make it Tangible: Avoid jargon and abstract concepts. Focus on practical benefits. For example, instead of “Blockchain-based decentralized networks,” emphasize “fast bank transactions without waiting.”

The Future of Work & Key Technologies

The presentation then shifts to the potential future shaped by innovation. The speaker notes the dramatic decrease in working hours over the past centuries – from 3500 hours per year in the 19th century to approximately 1800 today, with projections of falling to 1000 or less. This freed-up time could be used to address critical societal challenges like education, healthcare, and climate change.

Key technologies driving this future are identified:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is becoming increasingly accessible and can automate tasks, saving time and improving efficiency. Examples include early skin cancer detection and autonomous driving. Data from a recent large-scale field test showed an 88% reduction in property damage and a 92% reduction in personal injuries with autonomous vehicles. This raises ethical questions about whether humans should continue to drive.
• Blockchain Technology: (Briefly mentioned as a key technology).
• Virtual Reality (VR): (Briefly mentioned as a key technology).

A Call to Ethical Innovation & Conclusion

The speaker concludes with a quote from Friedrich Hölderlin: “Wo aber Gefahr ist, wächst das Rettende auch” ("Where there is danger, the rescuing power also grows"). This serves as a message of hope and a call to action. Ethical innovation, combined with effective communication, is crucial for solving the world’s problems and creating a better future. The speaker stresses the importance of being mindful of the choices we make – in our personal relationships, our political decisions, and the technologies we embrace – because the world our children and grandchildren inherit will be shaped by the actions we take today. Even if innovation fails, the experience provides a valuable story to tell.