Thinkers50 in 50 Seconds: Enrique Dans

Enrique Dans, shortlisted for the 2015 Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award, is short but never snappy in a quick fire interview.

What book are you currently reading?

Finishing Little Rice: Smartphones, Xiaomi, and the Chinese Dream by Clay Shirky.

Do you describe yourself as a thinker?

I rather think of myself as someone that challenges others to think.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

My mentor, José Mario Álvarez de Novales. Although he is no longer with us, he keeps making me want to be better.

What does success look like?

I’m working hard to find out.

What is your next goal?

Understanding the full implications of machine learning and the huge societal change that will come associated with its adoption.

When did you last say ‘Eureka!’!?

When I figured out the amazing feedback loop between the use of the social web and a professor’s workflow…

Why is the Thinkers50 important to you?

I believe we are as good as the people around us, so being part of Thinkers50 is almost as good as it can be.

What is your competitive advantage?

Perseverance. I started blogging at least once a day in 2004, and I haven’t stopped a single day ever since…

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Chaotic, provocateur, perseverant.

How do you keep your thinking fresh?

Just keep thinking and let more inputs step in… one of my mottos is “you don’t blog with your head, you blog with your feet (as you keep walking through more ideas)”.

How do you divide your time?

I don’t. I’m totally disorganized and chaotic. Everything just keeps coming and even though it might feel unmanageable, things just seem to fall into place.

How much time do you spend traveling?

Not as much and not as far as I would like to.

What is the secret of a great presentation?

Connecting with the audience, challenging them, having them reach the ideas by themselves.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Don’t!