Albert Wenger, one of the distinguished speakers at the Web Summit held in Lisbon on November 11, 2023, is a German expatriate residing in the United States, who has established himself as a prominent venture capitalist. Renowned not only for his career but also as the author of the book "The World After Capital," Wenger's insights transcend traditional boundaries. In August 2023, he granted an interview to Politico, offering a glimpse into his perspectives on the current state of artificial intelligence, the imperative measures needed to support an ever-expanding global population, and the pivotal role of combating climate change in securing humanity's survival. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/digital-future-daily/2023/09/08/5-questions-for-albert-wenger-00114749
While some of his ideas exhibit originality, it's worth noting that not all of them are entirely groundbreaking. For instance, as he asserts "We have to move away from the idea that we have to work to live”. It's worth highlighting that as far back as the 20th century, the famous American engineer, architect, and futurist Richard Buckminster Fuller (R. B. Fuller) had already conveyed a similar sentiment, articulating "We should do away with the absolutely specious notion that everybody has to earn a living..." https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2020/02/university-mission-in-jobless-future.html
Strangely, more than 50% of the citations garnered by Wenger's book on Google Scholar are attributed to Russian authors. The underlying reason for this still remains shrouded in mystery. Among the non-Russian citations is one from a German author, found in a compelling book exploring the intricacies of handling defeat "Gegen die Diktatur der Gewinner" (Against the dictatorship of the winners).
A critical concern deserving increased emphasis within universities — the nuanced skill of overcoming failures and the profound lessons that inevitably unfold from these experiences underscore the importance for educational institutions to acknowledge the inherent value of such lessons in shaping individuals. It is crucial to note that the ability to overcome failure and continue taking risks is particularly vital in the knowledge economy and the realm of startup creation.
