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

How to Fix Almost Anything: Empowering Doers & Cultivating Collective Genius

Key Concepts:

• Collective Genius: The power of leveraging diverse perspectives and contributions from a wide network of individuals to solve problems.
• Scout & Scale: A framework for identifying existing solutions and innovators (“scouting”) and then rapidly expanding their impact (“scaling”).
• Disconnected Networks: The untapped potential residing in communities and individuals operating outside of mainstream innovation ecosystems.
• Capacity Building: Empowering individuals and communities with the resources and tools to address their own challenges.
• Third Sector: The space between government and commercial enterprise, particularly academic institutions, driving innovation.
• Wakanda Macgyver People: A term used to describe resourceful individuals globally creating innovative solutions with limited resources.

I. The Power of Connecting Disconnected Networks

The conversation centers around the idea that many solutions to global challenges already exist, but are often siloed within disconnected networks. The speakers, drawing on experiences from the White House and LinkedIn, emphasize the importance of identifying and connecting these “doers” to amplify their impact. The core argument is shifting from creating solutions to finding and scaling existing ones. This approach is presented as a more efficient and effective way to address complex problems.

As stated by one speaker, “We need to broaden widen the aperture there. But if you think, 'Oh, I got to solve this problem' and you start you could get a whiteboard or you could look up and find people who are already doing that thing.” This highlights a move away from centralized problem-solving towards a distributed, collaborative model.

II. Historical Context: Technology & Innovation in the US

The discussion traces the historical role of technology and innovation within the United States, highlighting a consistent pattern of government investment in scientific advancement. Beginning with the Army Corps of Engineers and continuing through FDR’s Science Advisor Vanover Bush (and his influential essay “Science, the Endless Frontier”), the US has strategically fostered a “third sector” – a robust academic and research ecosystem – alongside national labs and commercial enterprises.

This historical context is crucial because it establishes the precedent for government’s role in supporting innovation, not just through direct funding, but also through creating frameworks that enable collaboration and knowledge sharing. The establishment of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are cited as direct results of Bush’s vision.

III. White House Initiatives: Harnessing Tech for the American People

During the Obama administration, the focus shifted to harnessing technology and innovation “on behalf of the American people.” This involved three key areas:

1. Policy: Addressing issues like net neutrality and encryption, ensuring technical expertise was integrated into policy-making processes.
2. Capacity Building within Government: Streamlining bureaucratic processes and addressing inefficiencies (e.g., the contrast between self-driving car technology and difficulties delivering school lunches).
3. Directly Empowering the American People: Facilitating community-driven innovation through initiatives like a “tour of service” bringing individuals into government and fostering a culture of identifying and supporting local solutions.

The emphasis on “people” is central: “people do the thing right,” as one speaker noted, underscoring the importance of human agency in driving innovation.

IV. Collective Genius in Action: Examples & Case Studies

Several examples illustrate the power of collective genius and the “scout and scale” framework:

• Google Maps/Earth Mapmaker: The example of Lallet’s “Mapmaker” project in Bangalore demonstrates how crowdsourcing can fill critical data gaps (metadata like street names and building locations) in areas where traditional data collection is expensive or impractical. This project, akin to Wikipedia, allowed local communities to contribute directly to the map, creating a valuable resource for everyone.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Social Storm: Following the ratification of the SDGs, a global call for existing solutions resulted in entrepreneurs from around the world showcasing their work at the UN. Examples included:
  • Drone-based reforestation: A group planting a billion trees annually.
  • Lighting solutions in Burkina Faso: A princess and mechanical engineer creating a cottage industry for affordable lighting.
  • Legal education in Ugandan prisons: Providing legal representation to inmates through peer-to-peer learning.
  • Floating Fab Labs in the Amazon: Ben Hores’ initiative to create mobile fabrication labs for indigenous communities, promoting local innovation and reducing deforestation.
• Maker Movement & Fab Labs: The proliferation of maker spaces and fab labs globally represents a vibrant network of individuals creating and innovating with limited resources. The speakers highlight the existence of “thousands of labs” and the need to connect these communities.

These examples demonstrate the abundance of existing solutions and the potential for rapid scaling when networks are connected.

V. The “Scout & Scale” Framework: A Venture Capital Approach to Social Impact

The “scout and scale” framework is presented as a practical methodology for identifying and amplifying impactful solutions. It draws parallels to venture capital, where investors don’t create companies, but rather find promising entrepreneurs and provide resources for growth.

Key elements of the framework include:

1. Scouting: Actively seeking out existing solutions and innovators, particularly within disconnected networks.
2. Networking: Connecting these innovators with each other and with relevant resources.
3. Workshopping Across Difference: Facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing between diverse groups.
4. Rapid Canvas: Quickly assessing and validating potential solutions.

The speakers emphasize the importance of shifting from a mindset of “we need to solve this problem” to “who is already solving this problem?”

VI. Addressing Systemic Inequities & Celebrating Hidden Figures

The conversation also touches on historical and ongoing systemic inequities in STEM and innovation. The speakers highlight the contributions of often-overlooked figures, including:

• Bessie Coleman: The first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license.
• Ida B. Wells: A pioneering data scientist and journalist who used data to expose racial injustice.
• Katherine Johnson & Margaret Hamilton: Key figures in the early NASA space program.
• The Mercury 13: A group of women who underwent the same astronaut training as the Mercury 7, but were excluded from the program due to their gender.

These examples serve as a reminder of the untapped potential within marginalized communities and the importance of creating inclusive innovation ecosystems. The quote referencing the disparity in representation in movies (“This is who speaks in movies by gender”) underscores the need for greater visibility and representation.

VII. Data & Statistics

• STEM Job Openings vs. Incarceration Rates: The speakers point out that there are as many open jobs in STEM as there are people in prison, and that teaching tech skills in prison reduces recidivism rates from 60% to 7%.
• UN SDG Submission Numbers: The social storm initiative received 800 submissions from 131 countries in three weeks, and grew to 1400 submissions from 141 countries over five years, with 400 people volunteering to serve on the selection committee.
• Burning Man & Zatari Refugee Camp: The comparison of Burning Man and the Zatari refugee camp (similar size and budget) highlights the contrast between resource allocation and the potential for agency and innovation even in challenging circumstances.

Conclusion:

The conversation advocates for a paradigm shift in how we approach problem-solving, moving away from centralized, top-down approaches towards a more distributed, collaborative model that leverages the collective genius of individuals and communities worldwide. The “scout and scale” framework, coupled with a commitment to inclusivity and equity, offers a powerful pathway for accelerating innovation and creating a more just and sustainable future. The core takeaway is that the solutions to many of the world’s most pressing challenges already exist – we simply need to connect the doers and empower them to scale their impact.