Episode description

With a strong emphasis on rapid development and accelerating ideas into tangible products, Adam Bragg believes in the ethos of "launching". He introduced the concept of "activity networks," a fresh take on community-building, where people congregate based on shared activities rather than just online interactions. He has been involved in several projects that unite diverse groups of enthusiasts, giving Adam rare insight into the evolving landscape of tech and human connection. In this episode of Unlearn, Adam joins Barry O’Reilly to discuss the transformative power of launching ideas and products into the world and the lessons that come from confronting the fears and vulnerabilities tied to this process.

From Vaulting to Ventures

Adam’s Ukrainian coach, Nikolai Doroshenko, emphasized the importance of visualizing routines multiple times before executing them. This technique, which he has since integrated into various aspects of his life, is not only applicable in pole vaulting but transcends into business. “I've been applying that same kind of [visualization] of the future moment and [trying] to work [my] way backwards into constructing it,” he explains. Picturing a business's potential impact before its inception is essential, he points out. Barry reinforces this perspective by drawing parallels between the mental preparedness demanded by high-stakes sporting events and the uncertainties of launching a business. “It's a muscle that you can build and improve as you become more familiar,” he tells Adam. Certain principles are universal - whether in the athletic realm, the healthcare sector, or in business launches across diverse sectors, the process remains consistent: visualize, appreciate, execute, and then learn from the outcome.

Betterment is in the Eye of the Beholder

Visualization is also important for senior executives. Barry asks, "What will success look like in one to two years? How will stakeholders be different?" It is all about creating a detailed mental picture of success in order to better navigate the steps to achieve it. Adam highlights the importance of visualization in his career, from his early days in engineering and history to his ventures in creating tech solutions for education and community building. He discusses his exploration of AI and large learning models, notably the GPT models. His development of "Cat GPT," a personality-driven AI bot that responds like a sassy cat, is a testament to how AI can be made approachable and fun. It is a unique juxtaposition of technology and human-like personality traits. Adam underscores the potential of AI, not just as a functional tool but as an entity that can facilitate relationship-building. The future of AI interaction will likely be more character-driven, he predicts.

Looking Ahead

Adam is deeply excited about the evolution and potential of technology, especially in the context of human creativity and the swift pace of development. He touches on the ongoing projects at his studio, particularly emphasizing their work on the "ThoughtForma," an intelligent no-code platform that is empowering individuals, regardless of their tech background, to create and deploy technology products. This platform can help anyone, from a local library to vast audiences on social networks, bring their ideas to life. Furthermore, Adam expresses enthusiasm about the "activity network" concept, introduced to him by their CTO. Unlike typical social networks, activity networks center around groups of individuals engaging in similar activities or sharing interests. He sees these networks as a way to consolidate tightly-knit communities that can seamlessly merge physical and digital interactions.

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