A Conversation on the Future of Health at the Festival De Las Ideas
Dr. Tiffany Vora talking about the future of health at the Festival de las Ideas in Mexico.
How do we inspire people across societies to build a better future? One way is by gathering together for open discussion, reflection, and collaboration. That’s why I was thrilled to speak at Festival de las Ideas, an experience hosted by the State of Puebla (Mexico) and the Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego Center.
At the Festival, I kicked off the Health segment with the prediction that we are going to live healthier, longer lives thanks to technology. But should we be satisfied with this (admittedly amazing) achievement? I don’t think so. According to Socrates, “Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.”
💡 Are we prepared, as individuals and as societies, for radically longer and healthier lives? To ensure that they are “good” lives?
At the Festival de las Ideas, I sought to inspire students, professionals, teachers, entrepreneurs, and future thinkers to think deeply about this question. To imagine how they will build and lead in this new future.
I asked them to listen carefully to the ideas shared by the other two speakers in the Health segment. Dr. Daniel Kraft guided the audience through an exploration of some of today’s exciting advances in medicine and quantified self that exploit technologies like AI and VR that were unthinkable even a decade ago. To strengthen the focus on the life well-lived, Vishen Lakhiani shared his entrepreneurial journey to support personal transformation.
Dr. Tiffany Vora reconnects with a professor from her graduate school days, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, who was the keynote speaker at the Festival de las Ideas.
On a personal note, thanks to the Festival de las Ideas, I was able to hug—hug!—friends that I haven’t seen (physically) for two years. I even found a few moments backstage for a fist bump with my astrophysics professor from my graduate school days at Princeton … none other than Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the keynote speaker for the Festival! When I told him that I had just come off the stage, he said, “Well, I guess you turned out ok, huh?”
I’m deeply grateful for the digital tools that have been such a big part of pandemic life. I’m confident that digital experiences have important roles to play in work, education, entertainment, healthcare, and more.
We’ve learned some hard lessons in the last two years, and we shouldn’t forget those lessons. But there is truly nothing like coming together in real life, with testing and masks to help us manage our risk.
💡 Particularly in today’s divided world, cross-cultural exchange is crucial for imagining—and then building—pathways to futures that are inclusive, respectful, and enriching. Ideas truly do matter.
I closed my session at the Festival by reminding everyone that lives with a strong sense of purpose and meaning tend to be good lives—and long ones. By seeking to make the future a better place for people around the world, we immeasurably enhance our own lives as well.
About Tiffany
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks, writes, and advises on how to harness technology to build the best possible future(s). She is an expert in biotech, health, & innovation.
For a full list of topics and ways to collaborate, visit Tiffany’s Work Together webpage.
Donate = Impact
After a 19-day voyage to Antarctica aboard The Island Sky in November 2023, Tiffany has many remarkable stories to share & a wealth of insights to catalyze a sustainable future.
You can support her ongoing journey by making a contribution through her donation page. Your support will spread positive impact around the world, empower Tiffany to protect time for impact-focused projects, and support logistical costs for pro bono events with students & nonprofits.
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