Page 15 - The Interconnected Individual: Seizing Opportunity in the Era of AI, Platforms, Apps, and Global Exchanges

INTRODUCTION xxi

A maestro (derived from Italian meaning to orchestrate with others to
create a successful collaboration) can bring together different people, who
have different expertise, and create a successful venture.
Reid Hoffman describes this entrepreneurial mind-set, combining
knowledge and the ability to collaborate with self-developed networks to
produce new work opportunities. 3

They take stock of their assets, aspirations and the market
realities to develop a competitive advantage. They craft flexible,
iterative plans. They build a network of relationships throughout
their industry that outlives their start-up . . . Their approach to
life seems every bit the Silicon Valley way: they were self-reliant in
spirit, resourceful, ambitious, adaptive, and networked with one
another.

A technologically augmented individual will emerge to create a better
future for himself or herself, working with others in evolving organi-
zations and work structures, to utilize the new technologies to enrich
themselves, their communities, and the common good on a global level.
To understand how this can happen, we begin with the context of a
different, emerging world.

3 R. Hoffman, and B. Casnocha. 2012. The Start-up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest
in Yourself, and Transform Your Career (New York, NY: Crown Business Books).