SingularityU: How can improvisation change the world in which we live?

With no room for manoeuvre with regard to anticipating the future, improvised answers are the best approach for dealing with a world in constant evolution. These are the thoughts of Robert Poybton, the designer of learning experiences who looks to the theatre for the discipline and inspiration for his work, with a focus on improvisation. Nowadays, having plans and aspirations is necessary, but is not enough. Particularly in an interconnected world, “everything is linked in such a way that there will always be an unpredictable element” to deal with, but, on the other hand, “there are opportunities we can take advantage of” in what we are unable to foresee. A graduate in philosophy and psychology, Poynter has always been fascinated by uncertainty and believes we should appreciate it rather than fearing it. The co-founder of On Your Feet, a consultancy firm that uses ideas, tools and experiences related to improvisation to help people at organisations work together in a more effective and creative manner, he lives far from everything and everyone in a remote region of Spain, which also serves as a retreat for the customers he welcomes, helping them to adopt a different perspective and, ultimately, to adapt to change in a creative manner. This episode, dedicated to improvisation according to Robert Poynton, highlights the importance this thinker places on education, the humanities and the way in which knowledge is conveyed: “Improvisation should serve as a means of developing a collaborative and adaptive capacity. It should all be extremely vivid, with experiences and ideas popping up everywhere”.