The Power of Zero: a compelling vision

I wasn’t at TED this year (obviously) but apparently Bill Gates gave an incredible speech. It was reviewed here. I found this review of the speech (I’m looking forward to seeing it on ted.com) to be fascinating on several levels which apply to swarms, leader development, debates, plausible promises… Here are some brief notes.

1. This is a classic example of articulating a plausible promise. Bill Gates announced that his top priority is getting the world to zero climate emissions. If I said “my top priority is getting the world to zero climate emissions,” it would not be plausible. I don’t have the influence or money to do anything at a global level. But when Bill Gates says it, the promise is plausible—because he does have the influence and money to innovate at a global level. And it’s a very attractive promise.

2. This is also a classic example of shifting the argument. What struck me here is how, at least in this review of the article (which admittedly I skimmed), Gates was ignoring entirely the argument of whether climate change is happening, or whether it’s good or bad. What clicked off in my head was the simple fact we can all agree on: pollution is bad. Whether it harms the environment or not, putting waste into the earth is just bad. It’s not part of taking care of Creation. Gates’ equation assumes that we cannot significantly modify population, we cannot ask people to live in poverty because everyone seeks prosperity, and we cannot reduce services. Therefore, in order to reach zero carbon emissions, we must innovate so that the energy required to support population who seek prosperity and provide them with services is zero. In other words, eliminate the carbon cost – the waste. What arguments do we need to shift?

Often, it seems to me, we get mired down in arguments about things. I guess it’s the GenXer in me coming out, but I am drawn to and want to focus on the practical. Watching the power of this simple picture of an incredible goal coupled with a simple idea about how to achieve it is like a lightbulb going off in my head. We need these kinds of simple goals, simple visions, simple pictures in missions, too!