Andrew Cuthbert aka “Rocketman”: Innovation Maven, Polymath, Father
Meet Andrew Cuthbert…
Andrew Cuthbert is a tech entrepreneur, polymath, innovation maven and cofounder of The Change VC: a venture capital fund that invests in people with ideas that have the potential to change the world.
Over the course of his life so far, Andrew’s been involved in research trips to Madagascar, campaigning for human rights, setting up social enterprises, publishing books, writing patents and developing strategies for businesses in sectors like proton therapy, microbiology and satellite technology. He’s also a husband and father to four kids.
The most incredible part is that Andrew has done all of this despite, or perhaps because of, being autistic, a personality trait which he describes as a “special gift.”
In today’s episode, we dive into Andrew’s origin story, how his mind works, and where his deep desire to leave a legacy and make a difference comes from.
Check it out.
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Treasure Trove for Andrew Cuthbert:
Favourite book: Plato: The Phaedrus, James Lovelock The Novacene (Affiliate links)
Favourite quote: “Know Thyself” - Socrates and “Be the Change” - Gandhi
Anything else:
I don’t want to generalise my experience of autism with those of others I know others can really struggle I am high functioning not to be confused with those who struggle to leave rooms. I was never like that.
I see autism as a special gift from two perspectives.
Firstly Autism is the ability to feel emotions very deeply, yet the inability to express these same emotions effectively or articulately. I think of this like a cork on a bottle. When it “pops,” for an autistic person, it really goes bang. Many of the emotions we feel others can’t experience. Many of the emotions we feel we can’t express.
I think the second trait of my own condition is the inability to see the construct of the world that is obvious to others. For example, someone else will accept that they exist. I have pondered that extremely deeply before acceptance.
This leads to extremes. I see my thought process like a steam train. It gathers momentum not accepting the obvious and instead delving into the fabric of reality.
Thinking deeply can lead to very rapid depression. Consider a steam train. It’s slow to start (ie I don’t see the obvious joke I get it later) but it’s near impossible to stop. IE when in the depths of despair there are no quick fixes. I must think deeply my way out just as I did my way in.
There are other traits we can talk over but lets not only talk about it. I feel every person autistic or not is themselves this was just a label I had slapped on, for me after adolescence.
It is not my soul definition.
I have a theory that autism is, in fact, a product of natural selection. If we consider a tribe that has no autistic people then essentially everyone thinks of their own survival. People are generally anxious for themselves but can often fail to be so for others.
The lack of ability to empathise and express oneself is a problem for the individual but a benefit for the whole. This individual can become truly altruistic and support the whole. (Not something easy when you actually find a wife and have to split that focus beyond.)
Think of the tribe that has “rain man,” by its side. Working out angles and concepts beyond the “normal person.” The outcome of this 1 in 50 genes is a balanced and holistic society with special qualities. Those that lack it would struggle to replicate such selfless discipline.
Talk everything over soon.
“My engagement to my wife is probably an interesting story.”
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Thanks again to Andrew Cuthbert for taking the time to share his story with us!
See you next time.
- Matt
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