Strands of Genius: Emerging Technology for Emerging Nerds, Get to Know Arkansas, When the Cost of Going to Space is Astronomical, Use a Telescope

Guest curated by Dr. Chris Jones

Aug 18, 2022

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, CHRIS JONES ::

LOCATION: Little Rock, Arkansas

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Democratic Candidate for Governor of Arkansas

I’m a 7th-generation Arkansan running for governor of Arkansas as my state's Democratic nominee. See more at chrisforgovernor.com. I'm not your normal politician, but it's about time we get some problem solvers into office. About Time - that's the name of a video we made last year that went viral.

Enough campaign stuff, though. As a son of two preachers, I was raised with a strong sense of faith. For me, though, this faith never collided with my love for science—in fact, it only made it grow stronger. I attended Morehouse College on a NASA Scholarship, for physics and math, and then went on to study at MIT, becoming a nuclear engineer and earning a Ph.D. in urban planning. I ran the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, where we provided the tools and technology Arkansans needed to build businesses and create jobs. My wife is Dr. Jerrilyn Jones, an Air Force combat veteran and ER doctor. She's my partner an incredible mother to our three girls. Yep, I'm a #GirlDad. I haven't yet met Rosie and Faris but hope to. We connected through my communications director, Clint Schaff, who knows and loves them both.

Editor’s Note (Rosie): When Clint sent me information on Dr. Chris Jones, I was immediately fascinated — and impressed. An ordained minister, nuclear physicist, Morehouse graduate, has a PhD in urban planning, oh and also a rocket scientist? See, I think even Shania Twain would be impressed! He’s also a storyteller and orator, the kind of person you stop to listen to. I opened one of his videos in one of my million tabs open and went back to writing an email, except he pulled me in! I couldn’t go back to writing the email because I wanted to hear more from Chris. We hope you’ll enjoy his links today! PS: His favorite city? “Anywhere with my wife.” Umm… ((heart melts)) Chris, we can’t wait to visit Arkansas and hang out, and wish you the best of luck with your run for office.

:: THE LINKS ::

EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FOR EMERGING NERDS

I'm a proud MIT grad, and continue to derive inspiration from all the brilliant minds there. A great resource for inspiration (no MIT degree required) is its Technology Review publication. You can go deep on the stories of changemakers and how they're using technology to solve problems. A good and inspiring example is this story of Professor Kristala Jones, whose work in chemical engineering may reduce our dependence on petroleum! (MIT Technology Review)

GET TO KNOW ARKANSAS

Alright, be honest. You've never been to Arkansas. The state's central library system offers this free and rich resource of history, geography and culture of the state. Right now, I'm making history -- as the state's first-ever Black nominee for governor from a major party. This neat Encyclopedia of Arkansas taught me about Josiah Blount, who became the first person Black person to run for governor of Arkansas, way back in 1920. The more you know... (Encyclopedia of Arkansas)

WHEN THE COST OF GOING TO SPACE IS ASTRONOMICAL, USE A TELESCOPE

Inspired by Ron McNair, a NASA astronaut and physicist who died during the Challenge launch explosion, I wanted to be an an astronaut. A hearing disability prevented me from flying, but I did go to school on a NASA scholarship and work for NASA. Nowadays, I follow the work they're doing in space with this website. As much as I can, I support the work with cheesy #DadJokes on Twitter… Like this one (James Webb Space Telescope)

Looking for more from Chris Jones? Those enrolled in The School of Stolen Genius will receive a deep dive from him in their inbox shortly! You can access all our expert interviews for SOSG here.

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: Game :: Monopoly and poker. I'm a math guy, so I play to my strengths.

:: City :: Any city I'm in with my wife.

:: Book :: Things Fall Apart by Chinuaa Achebe

:: Podcast :: Revisionist History from Malcolm Gladwell

:: Album :: Fred Hammond's Purpose By Design

:: #GIRLDAD ::

Genius steals. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know (although I am one!) that our best ideas and insights are built on those that came before us and on those being created and fashioned by our peers, colleagues and neighbors. My final note aims to encourage you to move forward against the obstacles of fear, hate, and cronyism that plague too much of public life. You might not run for public office (but maybe you should!) but your communities need you. Get involved -- start with your neighbors, "steal" great ideas from others, try them out, and let's all unlock the promise and potential of our communities together. Make it so, and may the force be with you.

Thanks for reading and thanks to Genius Steals for allowing me to contribute.

Dr. Chris Jones

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It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.

Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.

Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)

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