Kevin Kelly
Full Name and Common Aliases
Kevin Kelly is a renowned American author, editor, and futurist. He is also the founding executive editor of Wired Magazine, a position he held from 1987 to 2009.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on September 4, 1953
Nationality and Profession(s)
American, Author, Editor, Futurist
Early Life and Background
Kevin Kelly was born in 1953 in Pennsylvania. He grew up with a passion for art, literature, and science. Kelly studied at the University of Rochester and later earned his Master's degree from Harvard University. Before becoming an editor, Kelly worked as a visual artist and a writer.
Major Accomplishments
Kelly is best known for co-founding Wired Magazine, where he served as executive editor for over two decades. During his tenure, the magazine became a leading voice on technology and its impact on society. Under Kelly's guidance, Wired explored new formats, including interviews with influential thinkers and discussions of emerging technologies.
Notable Works or Actions
Kelly has written several books that have become classics in their field:
- What Technology Wants (2010): In this book, Kelly explores the concept of technology as a living entity with its own goals and desires. He argues that humans are just one part of a larger technological ecosystem.
- The Long Zoom: A video series where Kelly discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated changes in human behavior and society.
Kelly is also known for his blog, The Technium, which he maintains to this day. The blog covers various topics related to technology, culture, and society, offering readers a glimpse into Kelly's ongoing thoughts on the intersection of these fields.
Impact and Legacy
Kevin Kelly's work has had a significant impact on how people think about technology and its role in society. His vision for a future where humans live alongside intelligent machines is now a central theme in discussions around artificial intelligence and its potential applications.
Kelly's writing style is characterized by his use of anecdotes, historical references, and philosophical insights to explain complex ideas. This approach has helped readers understand the significance of emerging technologies and their potential impact on human society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Kevin Kelly is widely quoted for his insightful views on technology and its role in shaping human culture. His ability to connect seemingly disparate ideas has made him a trusted voice among thinkers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
Quotes by Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly's insights on:
Entrepreneurship is about freedom, financial freedom but it also about what you leave behind." Guibert Englebienne, Co-founder of Globant
What excites the media is that someone has a great idea or vision and makes millions as a result. The reality is that rarely happens. It is competency that unlocks a person’s potential."Tim Clark excerpt from DO! the pursuit of xceptional execution
Paranoia is acceptable in the new friendship paradigm. Worrying that your best employees or customers might leave is ok, as long as you put in place an active strategy to offset any possibility of that scenario.
Why fear feedback? Why stigmatize failure in the workplace when it’s bringing you closer to achieving your organizational goals.