Dear Young Creator,As someone who has spent decades at the crossroads of art and technology, I’ve come to realize this juncture is far more expansive than I initially thought. We find ourselves at a complex intersection where science, art, medicine, neurology, perception, belief, history, psychology, and our deepest values intertwine and influence each other. I am continually stunned by this ever-evolving landscape. As each field advances, its connections with the others multiply and deepen. This is the exhilarating opportunity of our time: to see and forge links across disciplines, draw inspiration from the unlikeliest sources, and create something new and meaningful.I learned two great lessons while in school. The first was to think not just about change but its implications; this is a subtle but important distinction. The second was that the culture I was in was extraordinarily supportive, and this was the kind of culture I wanted to experience for the rest of my life. The relationships between people and how we supported each other profoundly affected how I later thought about relationships within Pixar and Disney, but also with family, partners, friends, and my professional communities. Getting this right attracted even more talented individuals—a magical mix of supportive and selfless collaborators.Five years later, in New York, I learned another important lesson. I could see that about half of my ideas and theories were just plain wrong, but my takeaway was that this ratio would probably be true for the rest of my life. Of course, I have no way of measuring this, but the important thing for me was to realize I was wrong more than I thought. For some reason, this understanding gave me more confidence to do something unexpected.When Pixar had its first success, I admit I wondered how much of this success was due to me, even while I acknowledged the contributions of others. It took me a year to fully understand that trying to answer this question was an act of separation; it was not a good way to think. Creativity doesn’t emerge from any one of us. It’s built upon the foundations laid by countless others before you and around you, nurtured by your interactions with peers and mentors, and shaped by the wealth of human knowledge and experiences at your disposal. Your unique contribution comes from how you assimilate these influences and combine them with your personal experiences and intuitions while at the same time helping others make their unique additions.I urge you to look beyond personal gain or recognition. Strive to add something of value to our society, whether for your immediate circle or on a broader scale. The most fulfilling and impactful work often stems from a genuine desire to help others, to solve problems, or to bring joy and understanding to the world.This is a time of extraordinary, almost overwhelming challenges. Embrace this reality with enthusiasm and curiosity. You are at the threshold of an extraordinary era of creative potential. Recognize it, seize it, and use it wisely to enrich not just your own life, but the lives of those around you and the society you inhabit.