Disney Legend Joe Rohde on the Power of Reading for Innovation
Joe Rohde, a Disney Legend and veteran of Walt Disney Imagineering, has shared his thoughts on the importance of reading and learning from books. In his latest book, Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible, Rohde emphasizes the value of accumulating knowledge for its own sake, rather than just for practical purposes.
Rohde's passion for reading started at a young age, when he spent hours exploring the Hawaii State Library in Honolulu. He believes that every creative person should constantly accumulate knowledge, which is directly connected to creativity. Rohde's home library is filled with stacks of books on various subjects, and he often recommends them to his team members as 'raw material' for their projects.
In his book, Rohde shares stories from his own life, including his experiences working on the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT Center in the 1980s. He highlights the importance of studying cultures, places, and events to understand their origins and meanings. Rohde's approach is not just about learning for its own sake but also about using that knowledge to create something new and innovative.
Rohde emphasizes that reading from physical books is still essential in today's digital age. He notes that retention and emotional impact are greater when reading from a physical book, rather than relying on mobile devices. Rohde's goal with Floating Mountains is to empower and inspire readers to seek and achieve seemingly impossible dreams.