Dean Kamen - segway inventor - notes from singularity university

I wanted to share some of this stuff.  I've never been more inspired by a guy than listening to Dean Kamen give a 2 hr lecture, and q/a session.  He received the only standing ovation at SU so far this summer.  The quotes are worth a read

Steve

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July 14th, Dean Kamen, Singularity U, stellar lecture.

This man is legend.

But don't take my word for it, ask Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Kamen

Here are some gems from last night's address:

When asked about pursuing an idea: "You need to answer three questions: Is it crazy? (The answer should be yes it's crazy for 50% of the people and a great idea for 50 of the people). How long will it take and how much will it cost? If it works, will it be a really big deal?"

On the state of the world: "Instead of building Weapons of Mass Destruction, we should be building Weapons of Mass Construction."

On the lengthy FDA process to take a medical device to market, referring to dialysis machines: "Essentially, you need to turn indefensible to indispensable." 

On inviting political figures to attend FIRST (Dean Kamen's league for young scientists & technologists, which stands for: For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology; see www.usfirst.org): "Presidents are very unreliable people. They have world events screwing up their affairs...and vice-versa."

On deliberately avoiding marketing/business to concentrate on inventing: "The biggest challenge I have with bringing something to scale is convincing someone else to bring it to scale."

When asked what he has left to invent: "The only thing that I'd like to invent that I haven't invented yet is a time machine."

On failure: "Keep kissing frogs. Sure, you'll get a lot of warts...but once in a while, you'll find your prince or princess."

On choosing to invent and work on multiple projects and give the marketing rights/revenues to other companies: "Take your little bit...and get it from a lot of places."

On his corporate policy: "There is only one: use good judgment." 

On process: "I fight like hell to keep process out of it."

On valuing experience: "Treat people fairly - not equally."

Also - quoted within his talk:

"FIRST is the only sport where everybody has the opportunity to turn pro." - Past CEO of British Aerospace (paraphrased)

"FIRST...like the WWF - for smart people." - George H. Bush, 41st president of the United States

"Education is not filling a pail - it's lighting a fire." - William Butler Yeats

Dean - it was an honor.