Earlier this year, I was introduced to Patrick Winston, a former MIT professor, via his lecture on “How to Speak.” His talk, which had been an MIT tradition for more than 40 years, was posted on YouTube not long after Winston’s death in 2019. In it, he explains the relationship among three critical elements of any level of success: knowledge (K), practice (P) and talent (T).

“The quality of communication — your speaking, your writing — is largely determined by … how much knowledge you have, how much you practice with that knowledge, and your inherent talent — and notice that the T is very small. What really matters is what you know.”

Winston relates his “empowerment promise” and then delivers on that promise with what I would call, takeaways for life. It’s a video worth the time it takes to watch.

Of course, we all know that knowledge is king. But, how can we know which resources will deliver valuable insights? The internet has made each of us content creators and publishers if we want to be. According to Statistica, as of February 2020, more than 500 hours of video were uploaded to YouTube every minute, which equates to approximately 30,000 hours of newly uploaded content per hour. (And of course, YouTube is not the only video platform! By some measures, TikTok is overtaking YouTube.) It’s safe to say that everyone wants to share their knowledge.

Yet, the sheer volume of content can make it difficult to find the “good stuff.” Search YouTube or Google for even a seemingly straightforward question — for instance, how to braid hair — and you will be served up an endless list of results. Even a seemingly narrow search — for instance, combustible dust and sugar — produces hundreds of videos. And then, of course, there are the Google Search results.

While I can’t halt the information fire hose, I can help you find a stream with high value content that directly relates to your job as a process cooling professional.

In 2022, we are introducing an event that can help you increase your knowledge of industrial process cooling technologies. The Process Heating & Cooling Show, scheduled for June 15-16 at the Donald E. Stevens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., will bring together equipment manufacturers, subject-matter experts, and users of low temperature thermal processing technologies at a unique live event. There, you can see, feel and touch equipment from myriad manufacturers and learn from professionals experienced with your products and processes at our free conference program.

Registration is free for attendees until April 15. Learn more about the show and reserve your spot at heatingcoolingshow.com.