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The more you know, the deeper conversations you can have. We've selected videos, articles, and books to help build knowledge and make connections. After all, true understanding isn't a closed room. It's a network of ideas that work together.
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Videos
The Future of Work. Will jobs be displaced by technological advancements? Or will automation open up new markets?
6 Most Common Types of Organizational Structures. Not all businesses have the same structure, and neither do all teams. This short video looks at the pros and cons of six common types. While you watch, think about the Synthesis teams you've been on. Recognize any of these structures?
"Genius Hour." It started at Google, and this video makes the case it should happen for students as well. What do you think? Do you have something like this in your educational journey? Do you agree with the guidelines of this video?
Articles
"We Tried Paying Everyone The Same Salary. It Failed." When Calvin Benton started his psychotherapy company Spill, he had the idea of paying everyone the same amount of money. He thought it would bring harmony to the team. Instead, he was forced to abandon the scheme within a year. Find out why.
"Employers are upping pay and benefits to keep workers from resigning. Here are the perks workers want most." When it comes to the future of work, salary will be always part of the conversation. But so will other aspects, like flexibility and health programs. Dig into the data with this article from Fortune.
"Why Google's 80/20 Rule is a Red Herring." Google famously allowed employees to use 20% of their paid time to pursue creative side projects. But is it successful? The answer is Yes... and No. This article explores why it's both.
Book recommendations
As a parent, consider researching titles that are new to you to determine their appropriateness for your child’s age and interests.
Fiction: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (1950).
This classic science fiction masterwork by Isaac Asimov weaves stories about robots, humanity, and the deep questions of existence into a novel of shocking intelligence and heart. Essential reading for any student interested in the intersection of technology and humanity in the future.
Non-fiction: Blips on a Screen: How Ralph Baer Invented TV Video Gaming and Launched a Worldwide Obsession, by Kate Hannigan and Zachariah OHora (2022).
Do you ever wonder how video gaming was invented? What came before your PlayStation or Xbox? This is the story of Ralph Baer, a refugee from Nazi Germany, who used his skills—and a lot of ingenuity and persistence—to make life a little more fun. Television was new when Ralph returned from serving in World War II, but he didn't settle for watching TV. He knew it could be even more fun if you could play with it. This short, inspiring story reminds us that no matter the future of work, human ingenuity and invention never stop surprising us.
Non-fiction: The Inevitable: The 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape our Future, by Kevin Kelly (2016)
Much of what will happen in the next thirty years is inevitable, driven by technological trends that are already in motion. Kevin Kelly provides an optimistic road map for the future, showing how the coming changes in our lives—from virtual reality in the home to an on-demand economy to artificial intelligence embedded in everything we manufacture—can be understood as the result of a few long-term, accelerating forces. Kelly was the founding executive editor of Wired magazine.
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