Follow your passion deeply, Ray Kurzweil told an audience at an impressively humorous and entertaining talk hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD at the 92 Street Y community center.

The talk with leading, innovative thinkers was part of 92 Street Y’s week long 7 Days of Genius festival. Kurzweil is an inventor, entrepreneur, author and futurist.

In the future, Kurzweil said, there will be a premium on specialized, comprehensive knowledge. If you have passion for art, music or literature — follow that, he says. Kurzweil learned when he was young he had a passion for inventing. “But for some people it’s not clear,” he says. “They should explore many different avenues.”

Money should not be the motivating factor, says Kurzweil, who is something of a romantic. “Don’t do what you think is practical, just because you think that’s a way to make a living. The best way to pursue the future is find an expression you have a passion for,” he says.

Tyson encourages people to seek out learning, visit museums and follow curiosity. Tyson says, “I’m here to make more people passionate, to transform the world for good.”

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about | 7 Days of Genius festival at 92 Street Y
Background on the week long event series on science, innovation and culture.

7 Days of Genius is a multi-platform, week long festival with stage events featuring thought leaders in science, innovation and culture. It explores the concept of genius, and how it transforms lives and cultures. Events are also hosted by partner organizations, and digital broadcast through partners MS • NBC and National Geographic.

The event is held each year at the historic 92 Street Y* — famous cultural and community center in New York, New York over 140 years old. It’s now a significant United States landmark and center for music, arts, philosophy, celebrity talks and entertainment.

The yearly series of inspiring conversations with experts in politics, technology, knowledge, ethics is focused on the power of genius to change the world for the better.

* 92 Street Y is 92 Street Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association

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92 Street Y | 7 Days of Genius festival
Program for the week long event series.

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92 Street Y | 7 Days of Genius: main

92 Street Y | video on-demand: main
92 Street Y | video on-demand: 7 Days of Genius

92 Steet Y | YouTube channel: 92 • Y
92 Steet Y | YouTube channel: 92 • Y plus

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92 Street Y | 7 Days of Genius
Conversation on stage during the week long event series, held at the historic community center.

featured talk | Ray Kurzweil with host Neil DeGrasse Tyson, PhD — on Invention & Immortality

Inventor, author and futurist Ray Kurzweil is joined by astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD for a discussion of some of the biggest topics of our time. They explore the role of technology in the future, its impact on brain science — and coming innovations in artificial intelligence, energy, life extension and immortality.

Ray Kurzweil has been accurately predicting the future for decades. He explains to Star Talk show host Neil DeGrasse Tyson, PhD how he does it.

Kurzweil also says microscopic robots called nanobots will connect your neocortex to the cloud — the expansion of the human brain that he predicts will happen in the 2030s.

This featured talk is part of a week long series of events called 7 Days of Genius. Presented by the celebrated, historic 92 Street Y cultural arts and community center.

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video | 1.
Highlights from the talk with Ray Kurzweil and host Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD

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video | 2.
Highlights from the talk with Ray Kurzweil and host Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD

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92 Street Y | 7 Days of Genius
Some featured speakers from the series.

1.  Manjul Bhargava, PhD
2.  Esther Dyson
3.  Ray Kurzweil
4.  Martine Rothblatt, PhD
5.  Yancey Strickler
6.  Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD

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