Interview with Katri Saarikivi

Katri Saarikivi leads the NEMO project at the Cognitive Brain Research Unit at the University of Helsinki. The project studies how to enrich the emotional side of the digital word to allow more empathy and natural interaction. In January’s CreativeMornings/Helsinki Katri gave an inspiring talk on the importance of scientific thinking.

What was your first paying job?
I suppose it was an “ärrän myyjä”, a kiosk lady :)

Songs for good or bad days?
I don’t use music in this way. Something like Bach or heavy metal works well when I need to get things done. If I need to focus or psych myself up for something, I use other types of music like minimal electro or real trashy or pathetic pop music. I’ve found that sometimes, out of the blue, music just sounds amazing. So perhaps it goes the other way around – music alters my day in many ways, I don’t try to match the music to my mood.

If you had a billboard somewhere, what would you write on it?
You have one life, and an amazing brain. Be awake, curious, and learn as much about the world, yourself and others as you can.

A good read – a book, article or a quote that had a deep impact on you?
“The most efficient search of an unmapped territory takes the form of a random walk.” Dyson, G., Turing’s CathedralOne thing you want to make sure to teach your child?
Scientific thinking

What’s the best thing about your job?
That it’s difficult.