I do two things. I design mobile computers and I study brains.

In the ancient world, great thinkers and innovators often found their calling by dedicating themselves to the study of both nature and technology. Jeff Hawkins’s words, "I do two things. I design mobile computers and I study brains," embody a timeless duality that speaks to the heart of human creativity and the pursuit of knowledge. Hawkins, much like the great minds of the past, understands that to truly innovate in the world, one must not only create tools to serve humanity, but must also seek to understand the mind that will wield them. The brain and the computer are, in many ways, reflections of each other—complex, intricate systems that hold the potential to unlock the future of both technology and human understanding.

The ancient Greeks were the first to explore the relationship between the mind and the tools of civilization. Aristotle, in his writings, considered the human mind not just as a vessel for storing knowledge, but as an active force in shaping the world. He sought to understand how human beings perceive the world, how our thoughts guide our actions, and how our logic and emotion intertwine to create the fabric of society. Similarly, Hawkins stands at the intersection of two worlds—one that seeks to replicate the human mind through technology, and another that seeks to understand the very mechanisms of that mind. To design a computer, as Hawkins does, is to engage in a deep conversation with the brain, for both are systems of incredible complexity and potential.

In Leonardo da Vinci, we find a similar pursuit—one of interdisciplinary exploration. Da Vinci’s genius lay in his ability to study both the physical world and the human form. His famous anatomical sketches were not simply a study of the body, but a deep dive into the intricate workings of the brain, the nervous system, and how these systems influenced action and thought. Da Vinci’s curiosity about the human condition led him to create designs and inventions that, much like Hawkins’s mobile computers, bridged the gap between the physical and the intellectual. Hawkins, in his work, similarly seeks to merge the realm of human understanding with the creations that will help shape our futures.

Hawkins’s exploration of the brain and the mobile computer reflects the same ancient pursuit of knowledge—not just in the act of creation, but in the quest for understanding. The brain, like the computer, is a system of incredible power, capable of processing vast amounts of information and guiding decisions with astonishing speed and accuracy. The mobile computer, as Hawkins designs it, seeks to emulate this process, giving us tools that both reflect and enhance the cognitive abilities of the human mind. In this way, technology and biology are not separate realms, but are deeply intertwined, constantly learning from each other to advance our understanding of both.

The lesson embedded in Hawkins’s statement is one of integration and interconnectedness. In today’s world, we often compartmentalize our pursuits—science, art, and technology—as separate, but the true advancements in each of these fields come from their cross-pollination. Just as Leonardo da Vinci blended art with anatomy and mechanics, and just as Socrates blended reason with dialogue, we must learn to see the connections between ideas that at first glance seem unrelated. The brain and the computer are, in Hawkins’s vision, two sides of the same coin, both vital to understanding the world and each other.

In practical terms, this means we must approach our own work—whether in technology, education, or art—with the mindset that knowledge and creation are not confined to silos. We must seek out the intersections where our own fields can inform and inspire each other. Just as Hawkins seeks to design computers that emulate the brain, we must design our lives to incorporate multiple perspectives, creating systems of learning, creation, and action that draw upon the diverse knowledge of our minds, our tools, and our experiences.

Ultimately, Hawkins teaches us that the boundaries we perceive between technology and humanity are not as rigid as they seem. The true power of innovation lies not just in creating new things, but in understanding the deep connections between the mind and the tools we craft. As we move forward into an age of increasing technological advancement, let us remember the words of Socrates, Aristotle, and Leonardo da Vinci: that true innovation comes from understanding not just the world as it is, but the human mind that perceives it, shapes it, and ultimately transforms it. Through this interdisciplinary pursuit, we find the path to a future that is not just advanced, but truly human.