Robert Tercek

President, Digital Media, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network

What Geeks Can Learn From Gurus:
Lessons for Transhumanists from the Self Help Expert

What happens when radical change collides with mainstream culture? Is the citizen scientist movement prepared to deal with the reaction to transhumanism from media, government, religions, corporate interests and the general citizenry? Radical advances in bio-technology, materials science, AI and other disciplines will soon introduce changes on massive scale that will ripple through society for several decades. But the popular culture is only dimly aware of the implications of these changes today: later, when broader awareness occurs, it will trigger a massive reaction, including intense debate about ethics, morality, economics and equality . This talk will focus on some of the anticipated responses to advances in transhumanism. The speaker will identify proactive measures that the citizen scientist movement can adopt right now in order to be prepared for backlash, distortion, public outcry and political machinations. Lessons will be drawn from the example of experts from the self help industry who have successfully fostered a cultural movement that embraces significant life change as an positive aspirational ideal.

Robert Tercek is one of the world's most prolific creators of interactive content. He has created breakthrough entertainment experiences on every digital platform, including satellite television, game consoles, broadband Internet, interactive television and mobile networks. His career is filled with milestones, including the launch of the first multichannel television service in Asia (STAR TV in 1991); the first multiplayer Java games on the Web (Sony 1997); the first interactive game shows on US Television (Sony, 1999); the world's first streaming video service on mobile phones (PacketVideo and NTT DoCoMo V-Live, 2001); the largest live interactive video events on the web (Oprah Winfrey's 2009 web casts); the largest free book download in history (Suze Orman 2009), and more. Tercek has served in executive leadership at major media companies, including MTV: Music Television, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, as well as in fast-growth startup ventures. He has co-founded five startup ventures. He has also served as an advisor to leading technology companies such as Nokia, Motorola, AMD, Microsoft, Sony Computer Entertainment, Taito and many more. His credits include some of the most successful interactive titles on several platforms, including Jeopardy Online and Wheel of Fortune Online, the bestselling Monty Python CD ROM series, and award-winning games based on media brands such as CBS Sports, World Poker Tour, Marvel Entertainment. An enthusiastic advocate of responsive content in two-way networks, Mr Tercek is a highly in-demand speaker: he has been a featured speaker at NAB, CES, GDC, MIPTV, MILIA, E3 Expo, South By Southwest, X Media Lab, 5D, Tokyo Game Fair, and many other conferences. In 2008, he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in recognition of his achievements in social media for the benefit of society. He lives in Los Angeles.