Be Nice To Nerds

DARPA logo (credit: DARPA)

Some of the most remarkable discoveries in science and technology were initially supported by research grants from DARPA. Encouraging creative thinking has been a guiding, principal at the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, an office of the US military.

DARPA is best known for promoting some of the most 'out of the box' thinking and thinkers to tackle big problems or new issues. The Agency sponsored the development of technologies including: 3D manufacturing; robotic hummingbirds; genetically modified plants that produce vaccines; prosthetic arms controlled by thought; biomimicry-based robots; and along with National Science Foundation supported grantees doing software that became the basis for internet itself.

Former DARPA director Regina Dugan shares why DARPA continues to be 'nice to nerds'. She advises a TED conference audience: "if you don't have a nerd in your life, you should get one". WHB

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