View Full Version : Interview with Dean Kamen
opti6600
03-13-2003, 08:15 PM
Well guys, I just got off the phone with Mr. Kamen about half an hour ago, and I'm still wired.
Really incredible guy from what I gathered, and amazingly dedicated to his cause of science and engineering. Discussed for about 15-20 minutes a bit about both the Stirling and DEKA, some highlights on the Segway, and a good bit about FIRST, too. Should have an article on the Journal by Sunday or Saturday, as well as the Adventures in Alternative Transport section for my Segway Training info and such.
The part most of you would find interesting though, is that the woman who called and then patched me through to Mr. Kamen was ( I think) at my training in Orlando. Karen, I believe her name was. Maybe the wavelengths card and the interview will click, heh. Either way, still shocked at the attitude and atmosphere of the DEKA/Segway LLC folks.
...and I definitely envy those of you who were Early Delivery, particularly those who had the opportunity to sit down with Kamen and discuss things with him. After having 15 minutes, I could think of another hour or so of things to ask him and talk about...w00t.
-Jordan
Hehe, yes, I do realize that Stirling is with an "i", and thanks for correcting that...eh, and I'm usually reall good with the spelling bit.
johnpowers
03-13-2003, 08:19 PM
Are you serious? You spoke to him? Why did he consent to the interview?
opti6600
03-13-2003, 08:28 PM
Sure spoke to him...otherwise I wouldn't be so excited right now. As far as his taking the interview, to tell the truth, I really don't know John. If I had additional time, I was considering asking him something along those lines, but I wasn't about to question a good thing outright.
Truthfully, I can hope, and would best guess that he agreed to it for a few reasons. First of which is the common rule of any news is good news. Secondly, we're a student publication, run by students, run for students and the community at large, and with a focus parallel to that of Mr. Kamen's. wavelengths was established as a site for alternative energy and science in the classroom and world.
This is what I do, and this is what my staff does. We sat down and talked about this in class today, and essentially ran over why we do this, and we all came to the same conclusion. We're involved with wavelengths because it's what we believe in. We think that these kids out there nowadays need a strong backing in applied science. Alternative energy is one approach, and students are more likely (a proven fact, even with me occasionally) to listen to their peers than their elders. It's our way of reaching out to our peer community and giving them a hand in their future. Hopefully that's why Mr. Kamen took the interview, and no matter what, I'm still incredibly happy he gave a bunch of students this magnitude of journalistic opportunity.
w00t,
Jordan
PoloAk
03-13-2003, 08:30 PM
(Name edited out by Moderator) is his personal assistant, and to whom all mail is routed. She's a very nice woman. If you'd like the mailing address, I can give it to you (should you want to send a thank you!!!).
Kelsey
PoloAk
03-13-2003, 08:31 PM
opti6600, you better be involved with FIRST then!!!
Kelsey
opti6600
03-13-2003, 08:33 PM
That'd be quite helpful, Polo. I might have to send something up to the bunch of people who I've run through to get this accomplished as a token of thanks. Between the two (names removed for privacy), it went off without a hitch. And besides...one should always be nice to personal assistants, anyone in corporate America will tell you they run a good bit of the show, lol.
w00t.
Addition: Polo, I wish I was! MAST Academy's FIRST team was shot down this year due to a combination of budget and scheduling constraints. Quite a pity.
PoloAk
03-13-2003, 08:42 PM
Np, sent you an email. Let me know if you don't get it. It's not a private address, but I don't want them to be swamped with fan mail!!!
Kelsey
fredkap
03-13-2003, 08:43 PM
I'm envious but I would suggest that the name of his assistant not be kept on the public posts...can cause way too many problems.
Fred
Brooster
03-13-2003, 11:17 PM
Moderator's note: I think Fredkap is right about this one ... sorry PoloAK, but I'm editing the name out of your above post. People can send you an e-mail to get this info if they need it.
Brooster
Brooster
03-13-2003, 11:22 PM
Congrats Opti6600! That's quite an honor, and it's no doubt a day to remember. :)
Brooster
opti6600
03-14-2003, 12:32 AM
Yeah, definitely Brooster. Needless to say, the past 7 days or so have been one heck of a trip. From training to interviewing the guy who came up with the concept in the first place. It's incredible.
PoloAk
03-14-2003, 02:48 AM
Oh I tend to get ahead of myself. Thanks for the correction, Brooster!
Kelsey
GyroGo
03-14-2003, 06:19 AM
quote:Originally posted by opti6600
Discussed for about 15-20 minutes a bit about both the Sterling and DEKA, some highlights on the Segway, and a good bit about FIRST, too.
Hope you realize it's Stirling with an "i" for your article.
[8]. . . SegCentric . . .[8]
SegCenter (www.SegCenter.com) and StirlingInfo (www.StirlingInfo.com)
I am not sure I understand this message. I did not send you an email,
but your emails are most welcome of course.
If somebody asked for email addresses, it definitely was not me.
Please clarify.
quote:Originally posted by PoloAk
Np, sent you an email. Let me know if you don't get it. It's not a private address, but I don't want them to be swamped with fan mail!!!
Kelsey
http://www.neuroprosthesis.org/blogger.html
opti6600
03-14-2003, 05:19 PM
Np, "NP" is simply shorthand for no problem. Don't take it personally, hehe.
sure, sure ... I guess I got the wrong handle then :D
thanks.
quote:Originally posted by opti6600
Np, "NP" is simply shorthand for no problem. Don't take it personally, hehe.
http://www.neuroprosthesis.org/blogger.html
PoloAk
03-14-2003, 08:56 PM
okay, so now we all know that i'm inept! :) Sorry np!
Kelsey
Absolutely NOT! Please don't apologize. It's me who is funny. I thought of all complicated combinations, like NP problem in mathematics, but nothing simple, like _ No Problemo _ ha-ha, when I chose this abbreviation. Oh well, next time I need to be more explicit [:I]
quote:Originally posted by PoloAk
okay, so now we all know that i'm inept! :) Sorry np!
Kelsey
http://www.neuroprosthesis.org/blogger.html
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