Max Lugavere
Max Lugavere is a New York City-born television personality, musician, filmmaker, gonzo journalist and founding producer/host for Current TV, the Emmy winning youth-oriented lifestyle cable network started by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Lugavere earned a degree in film and psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
He, along with Jason Silva, produced and starred in a video documentary/performance piece entitled “Textures of Selfhood“—an experimental film about hedonism and spirituality. The “party philosophers” and “intellectual hedonists”, aptly named by Angeleno Magazine, borrowed the name for the film from the Hedonistic Imperative, a website promoting the end to suffering by philosopher David Pearce.
Max has worked with several international brands, and is considered an expert voice on the role new media for social change. Max is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and a celebrity ambassador for Causecast.org. In his spare time, Max is a singer-songwriter with an EP entitled “One Year Later,” which was featured on iTunes upon release. He recently founded Rockdrive, a non-profit concert series, which has been growing annually.
?!X: What’s the Future You Choose?
ML: I envision a future where innovation happens for innovations’ sake, free of fear and red tape. Take healthcare, for example. Innovation at the patient level is stifled because of, among other things, corporate interest and FDA bureaucracy. I’m also big on education, a cause that I’ve supported with Rockdrive. I’d choose a future where every imagination is engaged, every voice finds its instrument, and artists are compensated fairly for their work.
?!X: What’s a ‘think’ to create this future?
ML: In terms of the mental construct, I like to say that we should all live unapologtically curious, with a sense of creative entitlement, and see the wonder in everything we do. And… “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” I think Plato wrote that.
?!X: What’s an ‘act’ to create the future you choose?
ML: Use social media in a constructive way. I know we all like to log into Facebook and see where our friends are spending their summers or who went to what party, but really, that’s a pretty lame use when you realize that the same thing that you’re already logging into every day has the potential to liberate countries, galvanize youth movements, or turn mind-blowing scientific discoveries into water-cooler discourse. Be a curator for change; you may start a domino effect.
?!X: What’s a ‘vote’ to create the future you choose?
ML: Support scientific progress and like-minded candidates. Don’t even talk about the others; don’t give them the airtime. Keep religion out of government. Also, stay informed… Your money is a valuable voting tool. Support good companies. Also, take care of yourself. Don’t eat junk. You’re one part of a huge, interconnected web. Every action has its consequence.
?!X: Future Soundtrack – What song would you take with you into the future?
ML: Lately I’ve been REALLY into Leonard Cohen. Obsessed with “Famous Blue Raincoat.” Also, “Let’s Go Out Tonight” by Craig Armstrong. Exquisite! Of course, I’d like to bring a copy of my own CD “One Year Later”. That cool?
?!X: Can you share with us up to 5 weblinks that you find interesting and inspiring?
Ted
Follow Max on Twitter @maxlugavere
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