Beauty and Innovation: Science, art, and entrepreneurship in Italy with Dr. Luca Cottini

Today’s guest is Dr. Luca Cottini, a scholar, associate professor at Villanova University, and the host and creator of the YouTube show Italian Innovators. Although trained as a classical philologist and cultural historian, his interests go beyond Italian art throughout history. Through his show, Dr. Cottini explores the present artistic contributions of Italy through entrepreneurship and innovation across multiple disciplines. His books include The Art of Objects: The Birth of Italian Industrial Culture and a monograph on Italo Calvino.

Dr. Cottini joins us to discuss the following:

1. What attracted Dr. Cottini to study design and innovation.
2. His thoughts on Galileo being the father of modern science.
3. How Italy’s humanities-focused education influences science.
4. How different ideas contribute to each other and create innovation.
5. Some examples of encounters with Beauty that spurred innovation.
6. Could aesthetic principles also hinder innovation? How?
7. The role of beauty in the future of science.
8. How to cultivate intellectual humility and drive in the face of failure.

Check out his book:
The Art of Objects: The Birth of Italian Industrial Culture, 1878-1928

Visit his YouTube channel:

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