Understanding the Complexity of Modern Technology with Samuel Arbesman | Overcomplicated
In this episode, we explore the intricate world of modern technology with Samuel Arbesman, author of Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension. Why did the New York Stock Exchange shut down in 2015? What caused Toyota vehicles to accelerate without warning? Samuel reveals how technological "accretion" and interconnected systems create outcomes that even developers, engineers, and executives can't predict. We discuss: Why technology often evolves beyond human comprehension How "spaghetti code" and legacy systems create systemic risk The biological limits of human understanding Generalists vs. specialists in innovation The balance between intellectual humility and progress How we can better live with—and design—overcomplicated systems This is a must-listen for leaders, technologists, and innovators navigating today's complex digital ecosystem. 🎙 Hosted by Aidan McCullen, keynote speaker on change and innovation. 💡 Sponsored by Kyndryl Episode Notes / Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:19 Unsolved Mysteries in Technology 01:18 Guest Introduction: Samuel Arbesman 01:57 Overview of 'Overcomplicated' 03:25 Case Studies: Stock Exchange and Toyota 07:53 The Concept of Accretion 15:48 Complexity vs. Complication 26:49 Interoperability and Trade-offs 29:29 Systemic Failures and Interoperability 29:53 Open Source Software and Maintenance Challenges 32:00 Biological Limits of Human Comprehension 34:51 The Role of Technology in Understanding Complex Systems 40:52 The Burden of Knowledge and the Need for Generalists 50:53 Physics vs. Biological Thinking in Innovation 55:49 Final Thoughts on Humility and Understanding Find Samuel Arbesman: https://arbesman.net [Aidan McCullen is a internationally Thinkers50 recognised thought leader on change and innovation. He is the author of Undisruptable and host of the globally acclaimed Innovation Show. A former international rugby player, Aidan now helps leaders and organisations thrive in an age of constant reinvention.]
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The Half-Life of Facts with Samuel Arbesman: Why Knowledge Keeps Changing
Facts change — and that's a good thing. In this episode, Samuel Arbesman, complexity scientist and author of The Half-Life of Facts, joins Aidan McCullen to explore how what we know — and believe to be true — constantly evolves. Together, they unpack how facts have a "half-life," why collaboration matters in a changing world, and how exponential knowledge growth reshapes science, strategy, and society. In this episode: Why facts and truths decay over time How science self-corrects — from the Brontosaurus myth to the spinach iron story The concept of "meso-facts" — slowly changing knowledge How exponential growth drives innovation and discovery Why curiosity, humility, and adaptability are essential for leaders 📚 Guest: Samuel Arbesman — author of The Half-Life of Facts, Overcomplicated, and The Magic of Code. 🌐 https://arbesman.net | https://arbesman.substack.com 🎙️ Hosted by Aidan McCullen — international keynote speaker on change, transformation, and innovation, author of Undisruptable, and host of The Innovation Show. 💼 Brought to you by Kyndryl – helping leaders harness the power of technology for smarter decisions and faster innovation. 👉 https://www.kyndryl.com/ie/en/institute 📘 Connect with Aidan McCullen: 🌐 https://theinnovationshow.io 📰 Substack: https://thethursdaythought.substack.com 📕 Book: Undisruptable 🎤 Speaking: https://aidanmccullen.com
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The Great Reshuffle Why Adobe Couldnt Beat Figma Howard Yu Sangeet Paul Choudary
Why couldn't Adobe—with all its resources—stop Figma? In this power-packed episode of The Innovation Show X, Aidan McCullen dives deep into disruption, transformation, and the future of work with Howard Yu (Leap) and Sangeet Paul Choudary (Reshuffle, Platform Revolution). You'll learn why Adobe's shift to the cloud was just Act 2, and why surviving in the new economy requires mastering Act 3—orchestration, data flows, and multiplayer collaboration. 💡 Topics include: Why collaboration isn't just a feature—it's a business model How AI is reshaping the architecture of value creation What John Deere, Shein, and Tesla can teach legacy companies The hidden difference between execution and orchestration How to make your business future-ready 📚 Books discussed: Leap by Howard Yu and Reshuffle by Sangeet Paul Choudary 🔗 Follow the guests: Howard Yu – Substack: One Inch Ahead https://howardyu.substack.com Sangeet Paul Choudary – Substack: Platforms https://platforms.substack.com Aidan McCullen https://thethursdaythought.substack.com 🎙 Hosted by Aidan McCullen | Sponsored by Kyndryl #InnovationShow #AdobeVsFigma #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #AI #PlatformEconomy
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The Power of Productive Failure with Manu Kapur (Part 3 Finale)
In this final part of our compelling trilogy, Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure, returns to uncover the psychology behind effective learning. Discover why failing first can drive deeper understanding, greater retention, and lasting mastery. Hosted by Aidan McCullen, this episode explores real-world strategies rooted in research—from the Zeigarnik Effect to motivational boosts like loss aversion, endowed progress, and goal gradients. Whether you're an educator, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode offers tools to rethink failure as a powerful ally in personal growth and innovation. What You'll Learn: Why failure can enhance memory and understanding The science of loss aversion and how to hack it for learning Endowed progress and goal gradient theory in practice How to spark curiosity and mastery in children and adults Building learning resilience and overcoming imposter syndrome A practical model for designing learning for yourself and others Resources & Links: 🧠 Manu Kapur's Book: Productive Failure – https://amzn.to/3WzFuZD 🌐 Manu Kapur's Website: www.manukapur.com 🔗 Kyndryl Institute: www.kyndryl.com/institute 🎙️ Host: Aidan McCullen – www.TheInnovationshow.io Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:38 Welcoming the Guest: Manu Kaur 01:15 Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect 04:00 Affective Boost Levels: Loss Aversion and Endowed Progress 08:16 Goal Gradient and Personal Motivation 12:44 Growth Mindset and Effort 16:46 Children, Uncertainty, and Learning 21:51 Achievement Goals vs. Mastery Goals 26:27 Phenomenological Primitives and Learning 29:01 Understanding the Role of Context in Learning 31:49 The Power of Comparison and Contrast 34:34 Learning Through Metaphors and Case Studies 38:58 Addressing Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Challenges 41:14 Productive Failure in Learning and Growth 45:17 Designing Effective Learning Tasks 49:44 The Importance of Affective Draw in Mastery 56:13 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
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Expected Value xV - Revolutionizing Innovation Metrics with Simon Hill
Simon Hill, author of Expected Value (xV), reveals how to measure and prove the real value of innovation—avoiding theatre, zombie projects, and wasted budgets with his groundbreaking xV framework. Simon introduces his Expected Value (xV) framework, a new system that combines confidence, predicted value, time sensitivity, and strategic fit to prove innovation's worth in terms business leaders and CFOs understand. From case studies to the role of AI, Simon shows how xV helps organizations escape wasted budgets, align innovation with strategy, and create lasting competitive advantage. We discuss: Why most companies fail at measuring innovation The pitfalls of innovation theatre and zombie projects How the xV formula works in real-world organizations Kill credits, project evaluation, and stopping bad investments early The role of AI and data science in innovation decisions Case studies including Nvidia and the S-Curve of technology adoption 👉 Get Simon's Book: https://xvbook.com 👉 Learn more about Wazoku: https://wazoku.com 👉 About our sponsor Kyndryl: https://kyndryl.com/institute This episode is essential listening for innovation leaders, CFOs, strategists, and business executives who want to move beyond activity metrics and finally prove the real value of innovation.
A Global weekly show interviewing authors to inspire, educate and inform the business world and the curious. Presented by the author of "Undisruptable", this Global show speaks of something greater beyond innovation, disruption and technology. It speaks to the human need to learn: how to adapt to and love a changing world. It embraces the spirit of constant change, of staying receptive, of always learning.
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