Throughout lives of many we all eventually are inspired. As a little kid, many want to grow up and become an Astronaut, The President or even a CIA Spy. Many individuals will not exceed at becoming what our parents believed as just childish dreams. However, for myself – I dreamed about becoming a Information Technology Consultant, a software developer, an inventor and a someone who will change the world.

In my twenty-one years of being on planet earth, there are four individuals who have inspired me greatly to succeed in the dreams that I had as a child and new ones that I have today. These four individuals include Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, William (Bill) Gates and more recently David Eaves. So who are these individuals and how have they inspired me?

Albert Einstein

A theoretical physicist, a philosopher and an author – Albert Einstein is one of the most well known and influential scientist and intellectuals of all time. Einstein is known today as the father of modern physics and received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his services to Theoretical Physics. Many of Einstein’s contributions to physics include special and general theories of relativity and over the years had he had published more then 300 scientific works. Einstein to most is known to be a genius and today the word “Einstein” is a synonymous with genius. Learn more about Albert Einstein.

Einstein has inspired and motivated many in the World today. Inspiration has been gained through his works and contributions, Einstein has inspired me to contribute to the advancement of society and the human race through research and scientific works. I hope to assist in advancing society and the human race with the use of technology.

Thomas Edison

An American inventor, scientist and a businessman – Edison is most well known for his invention of the long-lasting and practical electric light bulb. Thomas Edison is considered to be one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding a total of 1,093 U.S. patents in his name as well as many in other countries. Learn more about Thomas Edison.

Edison has inspired me through his response when failing 10,000 at the creation of the light bulb. Edison said that he did not fail 10,000 times but instead he found 10,000 ways how not to build a light bulb. This response has inspired and motivated me by knowing that one can not fail immediately (if at all) but instead find numerous ways how not to do something and one step forward. Failing is the result of when one gives up instead of consistently attempting until one succeeds.

Bill Gates

Founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, Bill Gates is consistently ranked amount the world’s wealthiest people. Gate’s is one of the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution. In 1994, Bill and Melinda Gates founded the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Learn more about Bill Gates.

Gates has inspired many including myself. Through his philanthropic work on making the world a better place with earnings he made with the creation of one of today’s largest information technology corporations. Bill has inspired me to follow similar foot steps has Melinda and himself. As an entrepreneur, I hope to achieve just a fraction of what Gate’s in his life. Through earnings and knowledge gained as an entrepreneur, I look forward to philanthropy work to better the world in the near future.

David Eaves

A public policy entrepreneur, open government activist, a negotiation expert and a fellow at the Centre of the Study of Democracy – David Eaves is most well known for his Open Data and Open Government activism. Eaves also currently advises the Mayor of Vancouver on open government. Learn more about David and read his blog at eaves.ca.

David Eaves and I first met at Canada 3.0 in May of this year. The conversation was short but inspiring on many of levels from open data to politics. Eaves has inspired me to become more diverse in politics and government on all levels from local municipal to the federal government. Not only have I been inspired and motivated to become more diverse and educated on the topic of politics, I am now currently a team member of the Open Data London initiative and movement here in London, Ontario. Just recently, a new open data project has spawned here in London which has the blessing of David and he is currently working with us to get it launched.

On bit of a side note, I will be attending London’s first Ignite event as a speaker on the topic of open data. I would like to thank David Eaves for the inspiration!