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Hubby Bill and I had a wonderful and inspiring time in Washington, D. C., at the Sixth & I book presentation with Seth Godin and hostess Bina Venkataraman this past Monday evening!
Bina is an American science policy expert, author, and journalist. She is currently a Columnist at The Washington Post, previously served as the Editorial Page Editor of The Boston Globe, and a senior advisor for Climate Change Innovation under President Barack Obama’s administration. She is intelligent and quick-witted (microphone snafus) and kept Seth on his toes with her outstanding and probing questions about This is Strategy! Bill and I also workshopped the book with two others (Julie Rains and Katy Dalgleish) in our writing group this past summer, keeping us on our toes about any kind of strategy.
One discussion both Bill and I were surprised yet delighted for the discussion was the topic of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Seth wasted no time discussing how powerful this tool (AI) is and will be (it’s already crushing the radiologists’ jobs!). He illuminated the concept and predicted (as many others have) that it would change our lives more than anything anyone has seen on this planet.
Seth also beautifully answered questions from the audience and touted Bina’s book, The Optimist’s Telescope. Their banter was delightful!
One secondary delight was talking with "Seth-ites" or huge Seth fans while waiting to get inside the historic synagogue. I met Tim, a barber who works in Bowie, Maryland (we live close by). Bill and I tend to ask how someone becomes a Seth fan, so I asked him. Tim McIntosh revealed that during the pandemic, he had to close his barbershop for three months in 2020, but he was always interested in Marketing. Once he began researching Marketing on his computer, it was no surprise that Seth Godin’s Marketing info popped up! Tim said he immediately signed up for The Marketing Seminar; today, he is a “fan” for life!
Bill (and I initially) met a woman named Bonny and a youngish guy named Cody Barber in our small line (we got there super early before the entrance time). While I was talking to Tim, Bill was engaged with Bonny and Cody; Bonny is a geospatial analyst, and she was fun (and funny) and full of interesting tidbits about her life, where she applies advanced data analytics, including data engineering and geo-enrichment, to discussions of poverty, race, and gender. She has written (5) books and is a sought-after speaker in her work on Climate Change. Here is Bonny’s Substack page.
According to Bill, Cody was equally compelling, but I did not get the chance to discuss more than the congenial hello before I turned and got to know Tim.
While Bill and I floated back to the parking garage to retrieve our car, we both said, “Seth fans are the most extraordinary people!” I’m so glad we enjoyed this remarkable night with Seth, Bina, and all those “Seth-ites” in the crowd.
bSoleille!
Terri
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