Summit Summaries Pt 1

I woke to a phone call. He’s 10 minutes away and we’re going to breakfast.

Brisbane is beautiful today. It’s beautiful most days but today it really stands out. The sun is up as Tim and I walk down the side of an industrial area to reach the coffee shop. We feast like we’re going to war and jump into an Uber.

A takeaway coffee accompanies me to the opening session. A welcome to country from the Juggera people reminds me that we’re just a small snapshot in a story that was dreamed long ago. What we do at these summits, however important we consider ourselves, however life-changing our ideas, these are all just small pieces in a greater puzzle, in a narrative that our brothers dance for us on stage.

The first few sessions are a blur and now it’s lunch time. It’s strange seeing people from every facet of your life at one event. From the university, to the co-working spaces, to the former housemate and close friend who know works in medical robotics, it still surprises me how large and small this town really is.

Everyone has an opinion. It is inherent to everyone in this world to view things with a critical eye especially when every business card promises the next big thing. Some can’t see certain initiatives without seeing the bureaucracy and others can’t delight in the wonders that humanity has created without thinking about the commercial opportunity.

I treat this place like an art display. The guest speakers, the innovations, the conversations, and the rows of faces lit up by the phones that they stare at: all are exhibitions to me.

We come to these things to build relationships and yet I see so many people eating alone with full attention on their laptops and phones. I suppose I am one of them.

A friend approaches signalling a finish to this piece.