Just Mesa’n around…

Remember when I was yappin’ last week about that paradigm shift we’re gonna ignite? You know, making social change-makers the true rock stars deserving of our attention? Well, last week the Kyoto Prize host committee convened up at MoFo (aka Morrison Foerster) to learn about this year’s praiseworthy laureates. It’s no coincidence that San Diego has been given the honor of hosting the Kyoto Prize Symposium. We know how to celebrate thought leaders who positively impact lives. We’re just setting the tone for other cities to follow.

So what is this Kyoto Prize? And why San Diego? The Kyoto Prize is the legacy of Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera. Inamori, after making billions in ceramic materials, felt it his duty to give back to “the global community that has sustained and nurtured” him and his company. In his mind, we have “no higher calling than to strive for the greater good of humanity and the world.” Preach! Inamori also wanted to “redress the relative lack of formal recognition for highly dedicated but unsung researchers.” He saw, back in 1984, the need for this shift to a new philosophical paradigm. We needed to begin to recognize the importance of balance between technological advances and spiritual depth. Time to check our yin and yang. In balance, the world will achieve harmony. Out of balance, the result will be human suffering. Man, oh man, what I would give to sit around on my red leather couches with Mr. Inamori, the late Jonas Salk, and Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Clearly, Inamori was a man ahead of his time. With Kyocera Americas headquartered in San Diego and our reputation as a city of collaborators, it’s no wonder this visioneer gave San Diego the honor of hosting the Kyoto Prize Symposium. And we have done an amazing job living up to that privilege. The Kyoto Prize Gala is my favorite example of our entire city coming together for the greater good. The prize ceremony and celebration take place this November in Kyoto. The laureates are honored here in early 2017. But I say, why wait? This year’s recipients are absolutely fascinating.

Take Dr. Takeo Kanade, who snatched up this year’s Advanced Technology prize in the field of Information Science. This man was the pioneer of “virtualized reality,” and his technologies paved the way for autonomous vehicles. These days his mission is to improve the quality of life for all. Kanade sees a future where “the home itself can be a robot” that makes our lives easier. Think the Jetsons, only these houses are equipped with robotics to improve the quality of life for our aging community or those with disabilities.

Our Arts and Philosophy prize recipient, in the field of Thoughts and Ethics, comes with her own human rights agenda. You got me. Dr. Martha Craven Nussbaum has developed a new theory of justice that would allow the marginalized a chance to rise. Ooooh, looks like we need to add another red leather couch.

Dr. Tasuku Honjo wins the prize for Basic Sciences—Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology, to be exact. Sure to be a hit up here on the Mesa, Honjo clarified one of the basic principles of immunology, leading to effective cancer immunotherapy development.

Something tells me 2017 is going to be our year. We’ve got major collaborations solidifying throughout our city and border region. We are the host city for the inaugural World Beach Games and—once again—host of the Kyoto Prize Symposium. You are already part of the movement for reading this blog. Share, post, like, send me someone you think worthy of writing about. Let’s join the movement that Inamori, Salk, and Yunus have seeded. The way I see it, the Mesa is their launch pad.

Upcoming Events on the Mesa (I’ll be at the fun table…)

• Shore Thing
  Thursdays at the MCASD La Jolla
  Itching to start your 4th of July weekend a bit early? Why not head over to MCASD La Jolla this evening with a blanket? You and your loved ones can soak up a bit of art then catch the sunset on the lawn. Admission is free, 5-8 p.m. Beats provided by the Roots Factory Art Collective and there will be light bites and a cash bar as well. Free family fun with a side of culture? Sold.
• The Tree of Life
  June 24-August 12, UCSD Center For Integrative Medicine
  There is much talk about UC San Diego and the Mesa connecting to the emerging tech scene downtown. It’s important to note that our university is also busy spreading love north by offering a whole-person approach to healing with their Tree of Life program in Encinitas. The UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine is offering a free 8-week expressive arts series to cancer patients and caregivers. Find out more about this center’s vision and the different programs they offer throughout SD to help keep their UCSD community well balanced and thriving.
• Sonic Saturdays
  July 2, La Jolla Playhouse
  La Jolla Playhouse is giving its theatregoers a chance to double dip in some arts and culture this Saturday. Audience members attending the new world-premiere hit The Last Tiger in Haiti can arrive early to the village square to enjoy live music by The Davis Borgo trio. Out of town this holiday weekend? Fear not. Sonic Saturdays will continue throughout the month of July.

Tags: Blogs, Life on the Mesa