Solve for X

Solve for X was a community solutions engagement project and think tank-like event launched by Google[1] to incite collaboration to solve global issues and support innovators, "X" representing a remedy someone or a team is already pursuing which ran from 2012–2014.[2] The project kicked off on February 1, 2012 at a three-day convention at CordeValle Resort in San Martin, California. Google's team scouted for people working on solutions of a wide variety who came from around the world. Solve for X talks were presented by innovators to 50 people in attendance who then collaboratively brainstormed to help those pursuing solutions, hosted by Google executives Eric Schmidt, Megan Smith, and Astro Teller who co-created the project.[3] The conventions would occur annually.[4] The website inaugurated on February 6, 2012.[5]

TypeThink tank event and community

The pitch component of Solve for X has been likened to TED talks[1][6] since both projects host seminars by innovators, which can be viewed by others "vicariously" through the projects' respective websites. Talks are then blended with community brainstorming and support conversations for each project shared, plus brainstorming report-outs, with this interactive format embedded as a core component of the gathering. European director Bruno Giussani stated regarding Google's endeavor: "The world needs more ideas, not fewer and more commitment to sharing them freely and openly so that collectively we can test-run them and turn them into reality ... Google being at the origin of this, obviously technology and engineering will play a big role in Solve For X".[4] Smith's structure for the acceleration community brainstorming time for each solution maker built on techniques used in improvisational comedy, following a format of small groups taking two-thirds or more of the brainstorming time to focus on 'yes and' input (building on the working prototype) and one-third or less time on 'yes, but' input (critique or challenging the working prototype).

Solve for X, co-founded by Smith and Teller --- two leaders at Google with the support of Eric Schmidt, was initially believed to be linked to the Google X Lab working on new technology such as web-connected appliances, driverless cars, and space elevators,[1][6] but eWeek reported that Google X is wed to undertakings created within the company, not the "moonshot" solutions Solve for X was created to scout for where Solve for X is instead a mechanism to support those outside Google X who are working to pursue these "moonshot" solutions of all kinds.[7]

In 2013–14, the Solve for X team joined with several partner organizations, to support embedding their talks-plus-audience-community-brainstorming format in partner gatherings.[8] Event partners included TEDx Beacon Street, SXSW, MIT Technology Review Emtech, ASU, AAAS, and Tribeca Film Festival.

Google continued Solve for X through Smith and Teller's leadership for three years with 2012, 2013 and 2014 annual innovator gatherings, hosting over 50 global innovators with attention paid to diversity of speakers by location, gender, and impact topic. The first "Solve for <x>" talk presented at the inaugural meeting in 2012 was by Rob McGinnis, discussing "Global Water Scarcity"[9]. Ira Glass opened the 2014 summit with a talk on climate change entitled “Ira Glass tries to boss you into a moonshot”.[10]

  • Official site
  • Official recap
  • Teller, Astro; Smith, Megan (2012-02-06). "What's your X? Amplifying technology moonshots (Google Blog announcement)". Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  • Smith, Megan; Teller, Astro (2013-02-11). "Solve for X Celebrating Moonshot Thinking - join us and declare you x! (Google Blog announcement)". Retrieved 2017-03-06.
  • Smith, Megan; Teller, Astro (2014-02-10). "Solve for X: Celebrating and Accelerating Moonshot Pioneers (Google Blog announcement)". Retrieved 2017-03-06.


References
  1. "Google unveils "Solve for X," a secret project to solve the world's biggest problems". Fox News. 2012-02-06. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  2. Rampton, John (2012-02-07). "Solve for X: Google's Answer to All World Problems". Search Engine Watch. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  3. Franzen, Carl (2012-02-07). "Google Reveals 'Solve For X' Website For TED-Like Talks Series". Talking Points Memo. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  4. "Google 'Solve for X' meetings target tech 'moonshots'". BBC News. 2012-02-07. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  5. Bosker, Bianca (2012-02-06). "Solve For X, Google's Attempt At 'Moonshot Thinking,' Finally Opens To The Rest Of Us (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  6. Horn, Leslie (2012-02-06). "Updated: Google Tackles 'Radical' Ideas Via 'Solve for X'". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  7. Boulton, Clint (2012-02-07). "Google Solve For X Targets Tech's 'Moonshot' Challenges". eWeek. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  8. Teller, Astro; Smith, Megan (2014-02-10). "Solve for X: Celebrating and Accelerating Moonshot Pioneers". Google Blog. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
  9. We Solve for X: Rob McGinnis on global water scarcity, retrieved 2020-01-23
  10. Glass, Ira (2014-02-10). Ira Glass tries to boss you into a moonshot. YouTube Video. Retrieved 2017-03-07.
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