I met Nolan Bushnell today.

Just like that. At a small tech conference.

The Atari founder was our keynote speaker. His topic: AI-driven learning systems and knowledge retention.

Revolutionary, as always.

After his talk, he stood outside the conference room. Approachable. Present.

I felt that flutter of recognition. This wasn’t just anyone. This was the man who pioneered video games. Who created Pong. Who worked alongside Jobs and Wozniak before Apple was Apple.

I introduced myself. My voice steadier than I expected.

We shook hands. His grip was firm, his smile genuine.

We took pictures. He didn’t rush.

What struck me most wasn’t his legend status. It was his kindness. His attention.

In a world of hurry, he offered presence.

In an industry obsessed with tomorrow, he carried yesterday’s wisdom lightly.

I walked away with more than a photo. I walked away with a reminder:

Great innovation and human connection aren’t opposites.

They’re partners.

Thank you, Nolan Bushnell, for the lesson that won’t show up in any AI learning system.

Yet.