david shenk





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TV & FILM





"I saw you on The Lehrer NewsHour. It appears that you and Neil Postman are among a small group of public figures arguing for a balanced view of technology."
-- R. MANGIN, Portland, OR

"I caught your interview on 60 Minutes and followed up with your book. Many of the effects of data smog you described were familiar to me. Without realizing it I have been simplifying my own life by increasingly avoiding the overwhelming inputs . . . I enjoyed the book."
-- E. GAUM, Akron, OH





LECTURES



"Your visit was a great success in every way. Attendance was more than three times larger than for any previous parent enrichment event. People continue to talk about the substance of your presentation. Thank you not just for coming but for your willingness to engage on every level."
-- ROBERT BRISK, HEAD OF SCHOOL, THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL, COLUMBUS OH

""We were honored to have David lead our prestigious Columbia University Seminar on Innovation, a multi-disciplinary tradition started by Margaret Mead in the 1950s and which has featured such luminaries as Kwame Appiah of Princeton, and Randy Cohen, the New York Times Ethicist columnist. David had big shoes to fill and he didn't disappoint. His presentation was powerful, stimulating, and welcoming. We enjoyed his candor, his sense of humor, and his deep insights into the process that lay behind talent and intelligence."
-- RONALD GROSS, CO-CHAIR, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SEMINAR ON EDUCATION, NEW YORK

"A great speaker . . . David's perspective on genius, innovation, and extraordinary performance is refreshingly insightful. He'll make you laugh one minute and think hard the next. He charmed and fascinated our employees, leaving them with much to think about in the realm of innovation and problem solving. David is one in a rare breed of truly engaging and entertaining intellectuals."
-- JEFF GANEK, CHAIRMAN & CEO, NEUSTAR, WASHINGTON DC

"Thank you for your wonderful talk last night! You offered some excellent inspiration to our writers."
-- BETH TAYLOR, BROWN UNIVERSITY

"David Shenk transforms what might otherwise be 'dry' science into witty, compelling stories. A David Shenk speech is much more fireside chat than didactic lecture."
-- NAOMI S. BOAK, Twin Cities Public Television, Minneapolis, Minnesota

"Your TED talk was absolutely fantastic. Loved it."
-- JULIANNE WURM, NEW YORK

"I loved seeing your talk at the Commonwealth Club."
-- SUSIE KATZ, SAN FRANCISCO

"Thank you for your TED talk, parts of which I've quoted to several friends, who also find your facts encouraging and exciting."
-- DIANA PRAY, SAN FRANCISCO

"We had terrific feedback on David's lectures and certainly enjoyed hosting him at so many of our communities. We'd love to work with him in the future."
-- ANDREA ELLEN, BENCHMARK ASSISTED LIVING, Wellsley MA

"Thank you for your interesting keynote address at our convention. I very much enjoyed it, and have received many complementary remarks from colleagues about it."
-- R. LEVOLI, Harrisburg, PA

"David Shenk is a fine speaker, combining easily the details of his historical and scientific research and a large measure of humor, heart, and soul. He leaves an audience moved and much wiser."
-- PETER BRAUN, Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles

"I enjoyed your talk at the AACSB meeting in Coral Gables, and have recalled your remarks several times since then."
-- N. ROWETT, Smithfield, RI

"Your presentation contained just the right mix of science, common sense and the real-world impacts of Alzheimer's disease, delivered in a most authoritative and yet understandable way."
-- LAWRENCE ZIPPIN, Alzheimer's Association, Virginia

"I enjoyed hearing you speak in Tulsa, and getting to talk with you afterwards. Your message is important."
-- N. NASCENZI, Tulsa, OK

"David Shenk gave a thoughtful and informative talk . . . He is easy to listen to and presented difficult issues in terms that were easy to grasp and understand. I would definitely recommend him to anyone interested."
-- JAMES HALLAN, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island





FUNDING DISCLOSURE
Since 1997, I have given scores of lectures on the information society, Alzheimer's disease, electronic surveillance, and the history of chess (and ideas). Some have been conference keynotes; others have been special events at libraries, hospitals, etc. As a free lance in need of compensation for my time, I have been paid by a wide variety of sources: non-profits, universities, philanthropists, and a whole mess of corporations. Naturally, I have been careful to disclose funders at each event, and to maintain 100% editorial integrity. This means that I always say exactly what I know and believe, no matter who pays or is listening. In the particular case of accepting no-strings-attached money from a drug company for an Alzheimer's educational tour (scrupulously overseen by Twin Cities Public Television), we have taken a series of special precautions.

Here is a complete list (to the best of my recollection) of past funders: Andrew Albstein, All Saints' Episcopal School (Ft. Worth TX), Alliance for Aging Research, Alzheimer's Association, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Computer Museum, American Library Association, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, The Atlantic Magazine, Benchmark Assisted Living, Bloomberg L.P., Boston University, Brown University, Butler Hospital, Castle Senior Living, Center for Court Innovation, Create West Virginia, Ecology and Environment Inc., Columbia University, Cure Alzheimer's Fund, European Molecular Biology Organization, Forest Laboratories, Freedom Forum Media Studies Center (at Columbia University), Graduate Club (New Haven CT), Indianapolis Public Library, Japan Society, KUED-TV (Salt Lake City), Lyons Lavey Nickel Swift (on behalf of Pfizer), MetLife Foundation, Microsoft, Montana State University, Museum of Modern Art (New York), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Neustar Inc., Inc., New York MTA, New York State Association of Independent Schools, New York University, NorthernLight.com, Northwest Airlines, private (anonymous) individual donors from Aspen, Boston, New York, and San Diego, The Louise and Claude Rosenberg Jr. Family Foundation, Salt Lake City Library, SUNY-Buffalo, State University of New York at Buffalo, Twin Cities Public Televison, University of Edinburgh, The Wellington School (Columbus OH), Westminster School (Simsbury CT), Wexner Heritage Village (Columbus OH), World Demographic Association.





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