The urge for the new has shaped the life of humans ever since primeval times.It is the driving force behind development and creativity, pushing on, revealing what was hitherto undiscovered, and engendering enthusiasm and longing. Yet in the history of society, it has never been as necessary as today, at the beginning of the 21st century, to venture into something new. In face of a worldwide economic crisis, along with ecological, social, ethnic, and cultural problems, it is absolutely essential to change structures of thought and action on all levels.However, it is not easy on people who create something new, for they must overcome obstacles and convince others.In this book, international key personalities–pragmatic thought leaders who are at the same time hands-on doers–explain how the new emerges, in conversations with the entrepreneur Ulrich Dietz.Interview partners: Antonella Battaglini (scientist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research), Josh Bernstein (American researcher and environmental activist), Béa Beste/ Alexander Olek (founders of Phorms, a chain of private schools in Germany), Amar Bhidé (economist, Harvard University), Murat Günak (former head designer with Volkswagen, now developer of hybrid cars), Graham Hawkes (constructor of a deep-sea underwater plane), Edwin Kohl (largest German importer of pharmaceuticals), Claudia Llosa (Peruvian film director, scriptwriter, and producer), Wayne McGregor (numerously awarded British choreographer), Paulus Neef (founder of the German internet agency Pixelpark), Susan Neiman (American philosopher, director of the Einstein Forum, Potsdam), Liza Randall (professor of theoretical physics, Harvard University), René Redzepin (award-winning chef at the Copenhagen restaurant Noma), Tobias Rehberger (artist, professor at the Städelschule, Frankfurt a.M.), Roberto Stern (jeweler and heir of the jewelry firm H. Stern), Peter Weibel (artist, professor and director of the Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe), Alasdhair Willis (British designer, gallerist for exclusive furniture), Ken Yeang (eco-designer, “green” architect)