Sven Kockelmann

"The depth, complexity, and texture of his thought processes. Let me compare him to another noted inter-disciplinarian that I have often heard and admired. Buckminster Fuller could hold an audience for hours discussing the optimal interactions of various technology threads at their interfaces with each other, and extrapolate possible futures. He could “stand on the interface” and look both ways.

Richard Thieme also discusses the interaction of different technology threads, but not just the optimal interactions that will arise to achieve a given goal, but many of the possible interactions that could arise. He not only “stands on the interface”, but is capable of walking on both sides of it, getting inside the skin of practitioners on both sides and exploring the texture of the culture they come from for additional, unexpected impacts on the culture at large if the envisioned interaction of technologies occurs and is fruitful.

He can and does discuss the unintended consequences of technological progress, as well as extrapolating the expected consequences. He not only discusses the new capabilities that will be available to humans, but also what impact living in the context of such capabilities will do to what it means to be human.

That is, how we ourselves will change, given the new capabilities. Not just in our interaction with others, but how we come to view ourselves, our own sense of being, what we truly are at core. He can present these “future views of selfhood” in a scientific, psychological context, or in a humanistic, spiritual if you will, context. Comparing these contexts even-handedly allows each audience member “comfort” in hearing the message, and internalizing what Richard has to say.

Buckminster Fuller drove an audience with the power of his ideas, even though he was not a gifted speaker. Richard Thieme is a far more eloquent speaker, addressing technology and where it is taking us with more depth and texture with regard to consequences than Fuller delivered.

You feel exhausted but exhilarated after hearing either of them speak. And you will be changed by it."