How to Lead at Conferences
Some people and aspects I almost overlooked about my experience at the Oslo Freedom Forum
I hope you have enjoyed reading my previous posts from my time visiting Norway, including the “Fear and Courage in Oslo” that I witnessed and "How My Assumptions Were Challenged in Norway.”
One thing that stood out from the Oslo Freedom Forum is their alarming information about how democracy and freedom are on the decline around the world. Has the world given these things a try and passed on them? Are we heading into a more authoritarian future?
Whether we are or not, the Oslo Freedom Forum is giving voice to the oppressed. As my travels to diverse places like Cuba demonstrate to me, the problems in this world are not between peoples of different countries. The problems are mostly their governments. With that said, there was some more interesting, perhaps overlooked things I should have brought you from the Oslo Freedom Forum. I intend to do that here.
Jack Dorsey tweets
While at the Oslo Freedom Forum, I was fortunate to be in the audience for a conversation with Jack Dorsey — founder of Twitter and Square, and many more ventures since.
Normally I would have thought this was a really big deal. But I was so overwhelmed by those who came from Iran, Venezuela, and other places where lives are being lost and destroyed every day. However, we shouldn’t lose out on some of the important things Jack said during this fireside chat to the Oslo Freedom Forum.
First, there were some serious admissions by him about how his entrepreneurial venture, Twitter, became a mess. It started with a purpose -- a platform for free speech. But then, he said, it became successful, and in order to sustain it, it had to become a business, and make money.
They went the same route as Google and Facebook and sold advertisements. But when you deal with advertisers, you also get pressured by advertisers. And when you're a platform where people can spread any message they want, you get pressured by governments. And then you create algorithms so people can see a wider variety of news, but then you end up having algorithms that just conform to what people already want to read. And then you realize you became what you tried to avoid.
I am summarizing here. These are not exact quotes. But it is consistent with what he explained. However, I think one of the most insightful things he said came at the end of this conversation. And for that I do have exact quotes.
He said, this may come as a shock to some people, but "Free speech is overblown. The real discussion should be about free will - because we are being programmed."
He's right. That's why it's best to limit time with social media, all screens and smart phones, and even whatever the news media is trying to feed you. Find some time to go get involved in your community, to get to know your neighbors, to travel and see the world yourself, and to dive into books that have stood the test of time. Don't be programmed by the machines. Hopefully this one has let you read this.
If you haven’t made a commitment to do so yet, you can join us for a 72-hour no-phone no-screen challenge taking place at the Fearless Journeys summer adventure retreat in Dushore, Pennsylvania July 25-29, 2024.
Jack Dorsey gave us incredible insights and I gained much more respect for him once I saw how deep and thoughtful he is on these subjects. I encourage everyone to watch his fireside chat yourself here.
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How to Lead at Conferences
One other leader that I continue to gain even more admiration for is my friend Alexander McCobin, who also attended the Oslo Freedom Forum. I don’t know anyone else who does conferences better than Alexander. Each evening, after all the sessions were done, he organized a discussion meet-up for about a dozen people so that we could discuss all we learned and how we could get more entrepreneurs engaged in the issues of human rights and freedom.
This allowed us to really process — with others — what we were learning and how it can be useful once we get back home. It also enabled me to meet even more great people through these organized sessions. I am truly grateful for Alexander’s leadership and constant energy.
Alexander is also the one who is hosting Fearless Journeys at his family’s 50-acre estate in Dushore, Pennsylvania June 25-29, 2024. You are not just going to come on a summer adventure, you are going to learn from one of the best entrepreneurs I know!
Fearless Journeys strives to connect you with innovators across the world. I encourage you to make a move in that direction in order for our resources to have their most formative impact! Don’t miss this opportunity to join Alexander and me for a 72-hour summer retreat at his home in PA. It will impact you in very positive ways! Also tomorrow (July 1) is the absolute last day to officially sign up for this! Don’t delay. Do it now!
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Connecting with Innovators in Oslo
During my time in Oslo, it was also pretty great to see so many of my friends from the U.S. and Guatemala, and my longtime friend Yaël Ossowski who has been living in Vienna for over a decade.
I also saw my friend Lissa Hanckel, who leads the development effort at the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City (where I have taught as a visiting professor), as well as the President of that University, Cayo Castillo (photo below). The world is truly connected in so many ways, especially when you are devoted to connecting with innovators across the world!
Being at the Oslo Freedom Forum was a liberty reunion and so nice to see them all come here to support and give voice to those who fight for liberty on a level that is hard for us to imagine and comprehend.
As one speaker said: “Until everyone on this planet is free, no one truly is.” How fitting this event is held in Oslo each year, a country and culture that puts freedom and human rights above all else.
I encourage everyone reading this to make plans to attend this event at some point and to, at the very least, check out some of the talks which are already available on their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/OsloFreedomForum
I will be back in future years and perhaps bring others. If that interests you please let me know! Thanks again to the conference organizer, Thor Halvorssen and to all involved in this continued fight for human rights around the world.
We must keep giving voice to the voiceless.