The Forrest Four-Cast: December 20, 2017 is the chief evangelist of , an online graphic design tool. He is a brand ambassador for and an executive fellow of the (UC Berkeley). Kawasaki previously served as the chief evangelist of Apple and a trustee of the . He is also the author of “ ,” “ ,” “ ,” and . Kawasaki holds a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA, as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College. At SXSW 2018, catch about how technology and media are changing politics and culture. Guy Kawasaki Canva Mercedes-Benz Haas School of Business Wikimedia Foundation The Art of the Start 2.0 The Art of Social Media Enchantment nine other books his conversation with Symone Sanders The main focus of my current job is spreading the good news of how Canva is democratizing design. But I’m a busy guy who also speaks fifty times a year, represents Mercedes-Benz, and I’m writing another book. In 20 words or less, what is the main focus of your current job? Younger is a relative term. Do you mean in college? Then the answer is being a high-tech entrepreneur. More recently, I want to be remembered as a great father and someone who empowered people through writing, speaking, advising, and investing. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up? I’m most passionate about surfing. I fell in love with the sport about nine months ago. Unfortunately, starting surfing at sixty-two is a little late, but this provides a window into my soul that when I decide to do something, I’m all in. What are you most passionate about at present? I have four: Julieanne Kost, the Adobe Lightroom evangelist, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Angela Merkel. Dinner with Hillary, Michelle, and Angela are obvious. Julieanne is the person who does the Lightroom videos on YouTube, and I really need Lightroom help. Does this mean that there are few men I want to have dinner with? Yes, actually. Actors, athletes, musicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, whoever — you can any three living people from anywhere in the world to dinner. Which three people do you invite? The qualifier of “great” is a high bar. By that test, the last great book I read is “ ” by Brenda Ueland. I read it in 1987. It changed my life because it empowered me to become a writer. Everyone, no matter what your calling, should read this book. What’s the last great book you read and what made it so enjoyable? If You Want to Write I love , , and . Humor and science change my pulse. What podcast are you are listening to most these days? Why do you like it so much? Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me Freakanomics Revisionist History Crypto currency is beyond my limited mental ability. I’m old school: make stuff that improves people’s lives and get paid for it. If someone asks you whether or not they should invest in crypto currency, what is your answer? Smartphones. What makes virtual reality circa 2017 more likely to succeed with the mainstream public than virtual reality circa 1997? “All our systems” is a little challenging, but I’m optimistic that AI will completely change driving. I can’t wait for the fully autonomous, electrified, you-don’t-own-a car world. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about how dramatically AI will impact all of our systems in the near future? I am an introvert, but I am paid to “perform.” That’s what I do. I don’t have “strategies” to overcome this shyness — I just make it happen because that’s what I’m paid to do. I’ve heard you describe yourself as an introvert. What kind of strategies do you use to overcome this shyness? I don’t remember the year, but from the first visit, I thought SXSW was magical. It had the same vibe as the original Macworld Expos — which I truly loved. What I consider great about SXSW is that there are very few billionaires and venture capitalists walking around. Thus, the bullshit factor is a lot lower than any other tech conference. I have a rule that I don’t get on an airplane for free. SXSW and Social Media Marketing World are the only two exceptions to this rule. Do you remember the first year you attended SXSW? What inspired you to make that first trip to Austin for March Magic? I don’t attend many sessions because of the crowds, and I don’t like crowds. Barack Obama was the most memorable of the speakers that I have seen. The best interview I’ve done was Mark Cuban. Over the various years that you have attended SXSW, who has been the most memorable speaker and why? I never go to networking events. My hearing in my right ear is impaired, and I have tinnitus in that ear. This makes any loud, crowded event very difficult to enjoy. I just don’t enjoy crowds being the semi-deaf introvert that I am. Over the various years that you have attended SXSW, what has been the most memorable networking event and why? I loved that interview because Mark just doesn’t have to give a shit about making everyone happy. I’d vote for him for president. Wit is a sign of intelligence, and he’s a very witty guy. I can’t say this about most politicians. At SXSW 2014, you interviewed Mark Cuban before a packed house on the big stage. In your mind, what was the most interesting part of that interview? First, we have to establish if she’s related to Bernie or Sarah. Then the topics will include what it’s really like to be inside a campaign, how Trump came to be elected, what can people do to change the system, who she thinks is the best qualified person to be POTUS, and how to tell if a politician is lying besides his lips are moving. So glad you asked this question, now my preparation for that session is done. For SXSW 2018, you will be in conversation with Symone Sanders , the former press secretary for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. What kinds of topics will you discuss in this session? Be sure to eat some BBQ. SXSW is not complete without a least one meal built around BBQ. What is your best tip for newbie SXSW attendees? I enjoyed seeing Angela Merkel up close. That was special. Hyper-intelligent leaders who believe in science and empathy are in short supply these days. You were part of the first-ever Me Convention this past September in Frankfurt, Germany. What did you enjoy most about that event? Other installments of the March Magic series include interviews with Robyn Metcalfe , Stephanie Agresta , Andrew Hyde , Brad King , Gary Shapiro , Chris Messina , Yuval Yarden , Jenny 8. Lee , Aziz Gilani and whurley . Hugh Forrest serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW , the world’s most unique gathering of creative professionals. He also tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often cover tech-related trends; other times they focus on books, pop culture, sports and other current events. Help SXSW help the Red Cross with Hurricane Harvey relief by donating here .

Adobe

Amazon

Apple

Twitter

March Magic Memories: Guy Kawasaki

About Author

Comments

TOPICS

THIS ARTICLE WAS FEATURED IN

Related Stories

10 Cool Changes for SXSW 2017

10 Cool Changes for SXSW 2017

11 Top Picks: Austin Startup Week on Oct 11

Day 2: SXSW 2017

Here's How We're Solving the Challenges of Hiring in the Hospitality Sector

SXSW Diary — Day One- I think I get it.

10 Cool Changes for SXSW 2017

10 Cool Changes for SXSW 2017

11 Top Picks: Austin Startup Week on Oct 11

Day 2: SXSW 2017

Here's How We're Solving the Challenges of Hiring in the Hospitality Sector

SXSW Diary — Day One- I think I get it.

Light-Mode

Classic

Newspaper

Minty

Dark-Mode

Neon Noir

Minty

HN StartUps