Common Knowledge Isn't Common

Wesley Warshawer is a business analyst in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor industry, a Fulbright Scholar to South Korea, essayist, and podcast host.

He loves his work. For a living, he analyzes data and communicates about it. But outside of semiconductors, he is passionate about exiting the safety of his “bubble” to learn. After a profound epiphany on a study abroad semester to India at 19 years old, Wesley has looked for wisdom in travel. He shares his epiphany moments and encourages people to leave the comfort of their bubble to learn more about themselves.

Description of Presentation:

I was living in San Jose, California…until COVID happened.

My job became completely remote and after a few months of sheltering in place, I got rid of my apartment lease, packed up my car, and drove around America for a year. I specifically targeted places that were most different to mine. From Bismarck, North Dakota to Biloxi, Mississippi, I traveled throughout rural America.

After a year in the US, I took my digital nomad lifestyle international. Over the next three years, I would live in Central and South America, Africa, and Europe.

I had many epiphanies.

One anthropologic theme throughout my trip—what might be common knowledge in one culture is not common knowledge in another. When two cultural bubbles collide, it leads to growth, revelation, and change. I encourage everyone to leave their bubble in order to learn.