I've puzzled today over various ways to begin this journey and chosen to use the metaphor of the stage. Let me explain with a story.
In late 2002 I moved from New York to California and proposed to my wife-to-be. After we got married, I spent a year flying back and forth to Las Vegas where I consulted to Casino baron Steve Wynn (more on this later). My son was born and we decided to stay in San Francisco. Hilary went back to work and I took care of Theo. I needed to get a job but wasn't sure what would be interesting and exciting. Then I heard about a tiny company who had made a virtual world where the users could create whatever they wished. It had an economy, land barons and politics. I remember walking Theo in his stroller past the offices and thinking, "I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I'm going to be part of this". I managed to get an interview with their CEO; we hit it off and he gave me a job. The CEO's name was Philip Rosedale and the company was Second Life.
Which brings me to my point (finally). It's a very personal one, but a great way to begin this journey. I remember the mix of fear and excitement I felt as I agonized over starting that company. I felt deep down that it would be a great adventure and full of promise, but the future was uncertain. Virtual currency was just starting out, Facebook was small and Zynga didn't even exist. The future, both of the world in general and for me personally, was very uncertain. With two little children, the stakes were high. I decided to go for it.
As I hustled to launch the company, we were unknown and had no work to show. So I built a theater called the New Globe (pictured above). Why I chose a theater, I have no idea - my friend Barbara Romer was pitching a project to build one in real life in New York and she had drawings by the architect Norman Foster. It turned out to be a great choice - it led to projects and gave us a place to meet and even stage virtual plays.
But the metaphor is what strikes me the most. As I think about the future, I like to think of it as a story or play. We are both the playwrights and the actors rather than just the audience. Over the next 20 days, let's look back at the story so far, take stock of where we are in the present scene and consider how to write the future.
Hey, Reuben, this is going to be a fascinating piece!
I remember meeting in San Francisco at cafe near the Embarcadero and you guys didn't even have an office yet. Campfire, our newly independent company was embarking on Motorati, our insane Second Life project for Pontiac.
Together we preceded to build a huge virtual mall with 25 independent entrepreneurs & their unique experiences for Second Life car fans -- all backed by General Motors!
A live performance by Jay-Z from the Kimmel show on Hollywood Blvd, the premiere of a new feature film in our SL drive-in theater? Why not?
Posted by: A Facebook User | October 20, 2011 at 05:29 AM
Hey Reuben,
Your vision of the future is both vivid and definitive. I assure you I am intrigued by the final IPG Media lab. I would refer you to an interesting story in the WSJ Magazine under Ideas and People. Tom Sachs is an artist dealing with the tenets of corporate culture-discipline, accountability and precision- are these essential to creativity and innovation?
When I figure this out, I will be sure to get back to you.
Be Well
Posted by: Chris Quirin | October 29, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Since i adore your posts i thought i would show my appreciation by making a comment. Thanks alot for the good times you give :)
Posted by: Turceswaskess | June 09, 2012 at 07:37 AM
Nice to be here and see your post!
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