This evening I was invited to two simultaneous events. One celebrated the opening of a new entrepreneurial center for helping to launch hi-tech start-ups at NYU. The other was the launch party for a new book on ethical values in computer games.
Oddly — and conveniently — the two parties happened to be directly across the street from each other. As I went from the first party to the second, I could see several colleagues passing me, on their way from the second party to the first.
The two events represent two very different parts of our University. One is concerned with capitalism, with commercial exploitation of ideas, with maximizing economic return on investment.
The other is engaged with Truth, and with an ongoing conversation about how we can lead ethical lives. The issues raised touch on a highly philosophical question of great practical import: How can we be better versions of ourselves?
I was struck by the contrast between the two events, by their different tone and focus — and dress code. The entrepreneurial event was clearly geared toward making money. The “Values at Play” event was focused on higher goals and aspirations.
One thing I love about being in the University is there where was no contradiction at all between the two mandates. These two events were just complementary aspects of the same diverse intellectual community.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.