In a world gripped by “poly-crisis,” author and social philosopher Roman Krznaric argues that our greatest untapped resource isn’t technology but history itself. Speaking at DLD Munich 2026, he urges the audience to rethink innovation by looking at past societies that mastered resilience through creativity, empathy, and long-term thinking.
Krznaric highlights three “hidden powers” of social innovation. First, he points to 18th‑century Edo, a million‑strong city running on what we now call a circular economy, where “almost everything was reused, repaired, repurposed, or recycled”. Scarcity drove ingenuity, Krznaric stresses, suggesting that today’s tech‑heavy world could adopt similar “Edonomics” through smart regulation.
Second, he celebrates the power of conversation. From medieval Córdoba’s convivencia to London’s coffeehouses, societies have long relied on dialogue across differences to build trust and navigate turmoil. “These were really schools of democracy, schools of citizenship”, Krznaric says.
Thirdly, Krznaric turns to disruption. Transformative change, he says, happens when crisis, new ideas, and social movements converge. He recalls how the 1831 Jamaican slave revolt accelerated abolition, noting that disruptive movements have always “catapulted agendas into the political space.”
When you’re done watching this fascinating talk, make sure to read our interview with Roman Krznaric in issue 4 of DLD magazine The Promptah. Free download here.
