In the Technological Era, What Does Being Human Mean?
Social Good Brazil (SGB) was founded in 2012 in Florianópolis to promote the use of technology and entrepreneurship to solve society’s problems. Their website says “We believe in a more humane society in which technology serves the common good.” In the last seven years, SGB has grown it’s presence to 89% of Brazilian states. It has multiple programs, including fellows, data for good and the annual festival to effect this change. The annual festival is hosted in Florianópolis and this year I got a chance to attend it on September 27th and 28th.
Social Good Brazil Festival
Often conferences are called festival in Brazil. The SGB festival focuses on social innovation and this year’s focus was understanding the relationship of humans with technology.
This was a very different conference than what I am used to attending in the US. The conference had a suggested donation for tickets but did not require payment for participation. SGB gets grant funding from the government that covers the festival expense and the amount raised through the suggested donation is applied to the social good projects. This makes it easier for all demographics to attend.
The Human Technology Interaction
Exploring the relationship between humans and technology, talks ranged on everything from using data to support the blind and deaf, to conscientious journalism, fake news, developing software, management and creativity, indigenous cultures and traditions that can help with environmental protection, as well as personal well-being.
There was a significant focus on personal well-being and connecting with the self. The festival started with Yoga/Meditation on Saturday and there were various talks that focused on connecting with the self and nature. I attended a panel called “What is the meaning of life.” This started off with a short meditation and ended with a community song. The three panelists have adopted careers that help them connect with life. One was a photographer who documents the beginning of life by photographing pregnancy and birth, the other found his calling in planting trees and the third in music.
As most of us are navigating Industry 4.0, we are constantly inundated with technology. Every 12 hours our collective pool of global knowledge doubles. This has left many of us tired and completely overwhelmed. As we continue this journey, we have to find the balance between technology and humans. I think the SGB festival is striving towards creating this balance. It focuses on technology, data, our interaction with it and how to use it to create a better world. But, it also reminds us that as humans our needs are so much bigger than just interaction with technology. For us to thrive, we have to connect with ourselves, with each other, have a healthy and meaningful life, connect with nature and enjoy life.
Building Bridges
I was personally very impressed by one of the efforts by Globo, a large media company in Brasil. Three years ago, Globo started Globo Labs with the aim to engage youth. The idea was to share stories of today’s youth in their own words. In order to do this, people are invited to apply to the Labs and accepted applicants spend a one-week immersion program to create a story that reflects their life and reality. I thought this is a very innovative and effective way to not just engage the youth but to also give them a voice. We often talk about how millennials and GenZ are growing up differently and there is a significant cultural divide, since these generations are experiencing life very differently compared to those of us who grew up prior to the advent of the smartphone. It is important to build bridges across generations to build a thriving community and we need more efforts like these to engage together, rather than feeling disconnected from each other.
One of things that particularly stood out to me was that most attendees were in their 20s and 30s and were very passionate about social innovation and equity. However, the lack of engagement from the older generation in this movement for social change seemed particularly striking. SGB is a grassroots movement that is attracting the younger generation, but in order to effect lasting change and build bridges across generations, the reach must extend across generations.
Vibe and Pace of the Festival
Often when I attend conferences, I am rushing from one talk to the next or networking or setting up meetings. There is a sense of urgency and a need to get things done in the time that I am there. However, there were a certain ease and laid-backness at SGB 2019. Although there were a lot of talks and a packed schedule, I did not feel rushed. I think it had to do with how the festival was setup.
— The venue was very relaxing. We had talks in auditoriums and rooms as well as in outdoor natural settings
— The staging areas were pretty close to each other so we didn’t have to walk very far to go from one talk to the next
— There was a short gap between talks that allowed attendees to travel
— Vendors, food trucks and a bar were right next to the auditorium, so every time we walked out of a talk, we were immersed in this social environment
— There were slack lines and bean bags set up in the lawn area, where attendees could relax, try their hand at a new activity, shop or grab a drink
— Evening after parties with a DJ and live music at the end of both days
The Big Finish
My favorite part of the festival was how each day ended. At the end of both days, all attendees converged in the auditorium, and we were led through a couple of basic group dances. The auditorium was packed and so the dance would work only if everyone moved at the same rhythm and in the same direction. Anyone who has tried choreography will know how hard it is to make even 10 people move together. We were a room full of a few 100 people who have likely not met each other prior to this day, and probably did not know what we were going to do at the start of the activity. And then there was me, who did not understand the instructions and participated by imitating what everyone else was doing. Yet, we all managed to move in unison and create waves. This 30 minute activity which ended with hugs and kisses, created a strong and unique bond of camaraderie and oneness in the group.
And then the DJ came on…….
Phrases of the Week
Bom Dia: Good morning or good day
Boa Tarde: Good afternoon
Boa Noite: Good evening or good night
