Nathan Myhrvold (Intellectual Ventures Co-founder) – Geekwire Summit (Oct 2016)


Chapters

00:00:02 Systematizing Invention as a Foundation for Companies and Technologies
00:04:14 Metamaterials: Designing the Future of Electromagnetic Waves
00:11:57 Self-Driving Cars: Hype and Reality
00:14:34 Turning Waste into Want: The Rise of Coffee Flower
00:17:05 Intellectual Ventures: Challenges and Aspirations in Creating a Capital Market for Inventions
00:22:26 Intellectual Property in the Technology Sector
00:25:18 Intellectual Property in the Tech Industry: Navigating Patents and Innovation
00:33:43 The Unifying Thread of Diverse Innovations
00:41:17 Seattle's Success in Technology and Global Impact
00:44:41 Innovative Breadmaking Techniques and Insights

Abstract

Revolutionizing Invention and Impacting the Future: Nathan Myhrvold’s Vision and Its Far-Reaching Consequences – Updated Article

In the field of modern innovation, few figures stand out as prominently as Nathan Myhrvold, whose work spans systematic invention, metamaterials, self-driving cars, and beyond. This article, drawing upon the highlights of Myhrvold’s talk and related developments, delves into the multifaceted aspects of his contributions and their implications for the future.

Systematic Invention and Democratization of Creativity

Nathan Myhrvold emphasizes the importance of systematic invention, where people focus solely on generating ideas that can be transformed into technologies and company foundations. He compares invention to conception in reproduction, highlighting its fundamental role in technological advancement. Myhrvold believes that invention should not be limited to specific individuals or roles but should be accessible to anyone with a spark of an idea.

Myhrvold’s approach to invention is systematic, paralleling established fields like advertising and accounting. He views invention as a fundamental human endeavor and strives to make it accessible to all, regardless of background. This philosophy underpins Zenova, an invention network he supports, which connects inventors with real-world challenges, fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment. Over 10,000 academics, entrepreneurs, and independent inventors form the backbone of this network, illustrating Myhrvold’s commitment to democratizing invention.

Pioneering Advances in Metamaterials

A significant part of Myhrvold’s work involves metamaterials, which are engineered to manipulate electromagnetic waves in unprecedented ways. This technology paves the way for designing materials with specific, often groundbreaking properties. Companies like Chimera and Pivotal are already harnessing metamaterials for advanced applications in satellite communication and terrestrial wireless, respectively. These developments promise compact, cost-effective solutions and increased bandwidth efficiency, with potential applications extending to medical imaging and therapeutics.

The Long Road to Autonomous Vehicles

Myhrvold acknowledges the current limitations of self-driving car technology, with most offerings resembling advanced cruise control rather than full autonomy. He emphasizes the potential for transformative change in the transportation sector, cautioning against overhyping short-term progress while recognizing the underestimation of long-term possibilities. This perspective is further illustrated by Uber’s usage and its implications for future employment in the transportation industry.

CoffeeFlour: A Testament to Diverse Innovation

In a striking example of cross-industry innovation, Myhrvold mentions CoffeeFlour, a company producing chocolate from coffee beans and utilizing coffee cherry waste. This initiative not only showcases the versatility of metamaterials but also addresses waste reduction by transforming a byproduct into a nutritious and flavorful food item.

Coffee Cherry and Its Transformation:

Coffee beans are encased within a berry called the coffee cherry. The flesh of the coffee cherry is often discarded as a waste product. However, Coffee Flower recognized its potential as a nutritious food source, aiming to transform this waste into a valuable ingredient. Coffee flour, made from the pulp of the coffee cherry, retains the nutritional value and caffeine content of the coffee cherry. It boasts a distinct dark berry flavor, unlike traditional coffee, adding variety to culinary creations. Coffee Flower’s innovative approach not only reduces waste but also introduces a nutritious and flavorful ingredient to the market, contributing to sustainability and providing a unique culinary experience.

Intellectual Property Ventures: Fostering a Market for Inventions

Myhrvold’s Intellectual Ventures (IVP) aims to create a capital market for inventions, investing over $500 million in individual inventors. Despite facing opposition and a fluctuating patent landscape, Myhrvold remains a staunch advocate for intellectual property laws, encouraging companies to embrace risk in research and development. He advises on exploring patent protection, particularly in patent-centric industries, to attract investment for ambitious technologies.

Intellectual Property and the Future of Invention:

Nathan Myhrvold envisions a capital market for inventions, similar to venture capital for startups and private equity for inefficient companies. His investments in individual inventors recognize untapped ideas’ potential. Myhrvold compares IVP’s approach to funding mere ideas, without a concrete plan, to starting a company with a plan and team. While venture capital has flourished, the invention capital market is still in its early stages. Despite industry and political opposition, some experts believe patents are obsolete, while others argue that specific patent types, such as semiconductor patents, are unaffected by legal changes.

Broadening Horizons: From Global Good to the Seattle Tech Scene

Global Good, a unit of Myhrvold’s company, focuses on leveraging technology to aid the poorest, contrasting sharply with the tech industry’s usual focus on affluent markets. Initiatives like the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) exemplify this ethos, aiming to create accurate computer models of infectious diseases for better control measures. In discussing the Pacific Northwest and Seattle’s tech scene, Myhrvold highlights the region’s significant yet under-recognized contributions in various fields, suggesting a need for more vocal self-promotion.

Seattle’s Contributions to Global Health and Tech Scene:

Myhrvold highlights Seattle’s significant contributions to global health initiatives, including the University of Washington Medical School’s ranking as second only to Harvard in NIH grants and research funding. He mentions IDM’s efforts to address global health challenges through projects aimed at saving lives. Myhrvold emphasizes that Seattle is home to a remarkable concentration of organizations, such as the Gates Foundation, Fred Hutchinson Center, and PATH, that are actively working to improve the lives of people in developing countries.

Myhrvold acknowledges the prominence of well-known tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon in Seattle. He emphasizes that Seattle’s tech scene extends beyond these companies, encompassing a diverse range of entities contributing to technological advancements. However, he notes that Seattle’s achievements in the tech sector often go unrecognized due to a lack of self-promotion. Myhrvold attributes Seattle’s低调态度 to its nature, explaining that the city tends to focus on its work rather than actively promoting its accomplishments. He suggests that this mentality may hinder Seattle’s recognition for its contributions to the tech industry and global health initiatives. Myhrvold suggests that Seattle could benefit from a better public relations strategy to raise awareness of its achievements and contributions. He emphasizes the importance of companies and individuals involved in Seattle’s tech scene becoming more vocal about their work and successes. Myhrvold acknowledges that this is not solely a matter of public relations but also requires a shift in mindset and a willingness to share and celebrate Seattle’s accomplishments.

Modernist Bread: Unraveling the Science of a Staple

Myhrvold’s upcoming book, “Modernist Bread,” delves into the science and technology behind bread, challenging common myths. His research on rye flour in the United States, for instance, reveals insights into flour quality and bread-making techniques, offering new perspectives on this ancient staple.

Conclusion

Nathan Myhrvold’s vision encompasses a remarkable range, from reinventing the process of invention to exploring the frontiers of materials science, autonomous vehicles, and beyond. His work not only pushes the boundaries of current technology but also encourages a broader, more inclusive approach to creativity and problem-solving. As Myhrvold continues to shape the future through his diverse interests and enterprises, his impact on both the technological world and society at large promises to be profound and enduring.


Notes by: Hephaestus