HUB Berkeley Innovation Dinner – food, food for thoughts, and some afterthoughts
Berkeley is known for many things.
The protests, the hippies, the arts, homeless people, the diversity and the acceptance of that diversity (you can literally see every type of people and every type of activity in this city, and anyone who has actually lived here would stop seeing them as different types of people, just as people).
Berkeley also has the best public university in America, and actually the only public university that ranks above the Ivy league schools in many disciplines. (Public universities usually suffer in rankings not because of the students’ quality or the teaching quality, but because of the professor-to-student ratio, which is lower than those of private schools. Why? Ask the government about funding for public schools.) UC Berkeley was the reason I came to Berkeley, and for a while I hardly thought of the city as anything but the school. For a while, the academic life was my only life, and what I had planned for was a straight path into academia (and never out of it). But things change, and on some days, I feel lost. This is when I find that the city of Berkeley is more than the university it contains. That it has people who want to make change, who actually do it, who are willing to teach others how to do it, and some that are all three. Perhaps even more importantly, it hosts the environments where I can meet those people.
The dinner event that HUB Bay Area organized last week is one of those environments. Originally, I was hesitant to go, the official name of the event is “Innovate Berkeley: Sustainable Economic Development – East Bay Social Innovation Dinner”, and its list of participants include CEOs and founders of companies, architects, scientists, people who have not only ideas but the experience of doing something pertaining to the economy, and what do I put in the register box? “Student”. I was hesitant because I didn’t have anything to bring to the table. In the end, I went.
HUB dinner buffet – prepared by chef Hugh Groman and his catering staff. Baby lettuce salad with plum, goat cheese, pine nuts and sweet poppy seed vinaigrette; potato salad with celery, red onion, sweet pickle and egg; lentil salad with sundried tomatoes, radish, carrots and scallions; and lovely fried chicken (I’ve been craving fried chickens for some time, too…)
The evening began with some beer drinking and mingling. The ice breaker is a casual handshake and “what brings you here?”, followed by “why not, right? there’s free drinks!” with a chuckle. (I don’t drink, so I chuckled along with my glass of water.) Arriving on the earlier side would make it easier to get into groups, and you would get more time to talk to people, so you get to know more people before breaking up into tables for dinner. (Guess who arrived late?) The dinner is accompanied by a presentation. This time, it was an incredibly inspiring and engaging talk by Dr. Mike North about innovations, how they can be born and how they can be useful. After the talk, everyone moved around again, some grabbed desserts, most started or restarted discussions about ideas, careers, business, community developments. Serious topics. By the end of those conversations, business cards were exchanged.
Although I didn’t have anything to bring to the table, it was alright to be on the receiving end, at least this time. I learned from Barbara Hanna about computer vision, from Mike North and Jaki Levy about engineers and entrepreneurs that get together on the weekends to build communication systems for communities in Gambia, or foot brace for children in Nicaragua. Their projects connect professionals of different fields and materialize their ideas together. I listened in on a conversation among a landscape architect, a software architect and an environmental study post-grad, the topics ranged from business management to insurance policies on buildings. There were artists too, not just tech people and businessmen, and there were talks of practical art projects. The age difference was hardly any barrier: the accomplished people in their 60s were generous, and the start-up owners in their 20s and 30s were confident.
Those conversations, the people and the dinner as a whole represent Berkeley as a city, where every idea is welcome, and everyone is open to new ideas. But unlike the usual social events, these people weren’t playing nice. If you’re wrong, they tell you that you’re wrong, and they explain. Isn’t that how innovations come about, and how Berkeley is a hub for innovations?
Over the course of three hours, I felt completely intimidated, but also motivated. My line of work is one of the farthest way you can remove yourself from humanity, both spatially and chronologically. (I study light that came from outer space 30-40 million years ago. For comparison, homo sapiens appeared about 0.5 million years ago. The folks who study dinosaurs at least still stay on earth). You can imagine the impact I make in people’s lives today: it’s non-existent. The knowledge I have about solving human world problems? Also non-existent. How can I fix that? Where do I fit in this innovative crowd? I haven’t figured it out. So I’ll keep thrusting myself into this type of event until I figure it out.
—————————————————————————————————–
I’ve published a less personal version of this post on the Daily Cal, not as an abuse of my editorial power (although it may appear so 😉 ), but because I believe that there are other students who would like to know about this type of event.
Logistics: HUB Berkeley Innovation Dinner is a monthly event organized by HUB Bay Area. The dinner is hosted at HUB Berkeley, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704. Early Bird tickets cost $31.74 each.
Real informative and superb bodily structure of content, now that’s user pleasant (:.
1Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog website? The account helped me a appropriate deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered shiny transparent concept
2Hey very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?KI am happy to seek out so many helpful information here in the publish, we need work out more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
3Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific website.
4I like this site so much, saved to my bookmarks.
5Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
6I’ve been surfing online greater than three hours lately, but I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely value enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the internet can be much more useful than ever before.
7Some really nice and useful information on this site, also I believe the pattern holds wonderful features.
8My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
9I went over this site and I believe you have a lot of fantastic information, saved to fav (:.
10I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.
11Yay google is my king assisted me to find this great site! .
12Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
13After study a few of the weblog posts on your web site now, and I truly like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and can be checking again soon. Pls try my web page as properly and let me know what you think.
14Good write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
15Wow, wonderful weblog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make running a blog glance easy. The full look of your site is wonderful, let alone the content material!
16F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very happy to look your post. Thank you a lot and i am having a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
17This really answered my drawback, thanks!
18You got a very good website, Gladiolus I noticed it through yahoo.
19After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
20I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
21I believe you have mentioned some very interesting details, appreciate it for the post.
22Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
23Hi there, You have done a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site.
24Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?
25I like this weblog very much, Its a real nice situation to read and receive information. “Do not use a cannon to kill a mosquito.” by Confucius.
26I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂
27It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
28I like this site its a master peace ! Glad I noticed this on google .
29I’m not sure why but this web site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
30I am not certain the place you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time studying much more or working out more. Thanks for fantastic information I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
31Amazing blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Cheers
32I’m very happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
33F*ckin’ tremendous things here. I’m very happy to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
34WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
35Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
36I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thank you, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?
37This really answered my problem, thank you!
38It is truly a great and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
39Lovely blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.
40Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
41Super-Duper blog! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also
42There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
43I am now not certain where you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend a while learning much more or understanding more. Thank you for excellent information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.
44I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not certain whether this post is written by means of him as nobody else recognise such targeted about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thanks!
45I take pleasure in, cause I discovered exactly what I was taking a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
46Would love to perpetually get updated outstanding web blog! .
47I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thx again
48Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
49You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I to find this matter to be actually something that I think I would by no means understand. It seems too complicated and very large for me. I’m taking a look ahead to your subsequent post, I’ll try to get the dangle of it!
50