NIGHT OWL

My first encounter with Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, took place in the historic Sheldonian Theater — a grand seventeenth-century venue designed by Christopher Wren. Sitting there, surrounded by curved seating and a spectacular painted ceiling, I found it hard to imagine a more striking contrast: a centuries-old theatre hosting the man who helped revolutionize modern communication. Yet as Biz Stone began to speak, I realized how seamlessly innovation and tradition can coexist, and how one can inform the other in unexpected ways.

One of the first lessons I learned from Biz Stone is to break conventional rules when they no longer serve a constructive purpose. As a young man, he adopted a “no homework policy,” politely informing his teachers that he would be focusing on in-class engagement instead of take-home assignments. This bold move—unthinkable to most of us—allowed him to pour his energy into endeavors he was truly passionate about, such as starting a lacrosse team. That sense of freedom and curiosity laid the groundwork for Stone’s later successes, teaching him to challenge norms and carve out his own path.

That same willingness to seize opportunities surfaced again when he worked in a Boston publishing house. Hired to move boxes, he noticed an unoccupied art director’s workstation and designed a book cover in secret. Rather than waiting for permission, he submitted his work among official samples. When his design was approved, he transitioned almost immediately from box-mover to book-cover designer. The takeaway is clear: when you spot a chance to do something meaningful, seize it—even if it means stepping outside your designated role.

Stone’s transition into technology began a few years later, culminating in a job at Google, but the creation of Twitter wasn’t straightforward. He and his colleagues originally launched Odeo, a platform intended for podcasting. Partway through, however, they realized that podcasting did not excite them. Their hearts simply were not in it. Recognizing the mismatch, they pivoted, developing a side project for sending short text-based status updates—a tool so simple and unassuming that few realized its potential. Yet this offshoot soon eclipsed the main product entirely, and in time, it became Twitter. From this, I learned that staying adaptable and open to new possibilities can pay off far more than stubbornly sticking to an idea that no longer inspires you.

Stone’s outlook on success was another valuable lesson. He argued that to be considered genuinely successful, a business must make money, make the world a better place, and create joy for the people working there. Reflecting on Twitter’s massive global impact, he emphasized that “doing good in the world was the key to Twitter’s success.” Far from being a naive aspiration, this principle underscores the idea that a company’s mission can—and should—go beyond profits to leave a positive mark on society.

A few days later, I met Biz Stone again, this time at Treadwell—a cozy restaurant tucked away on one of Oxford’s atmospheric streets. In that more casual setting, we briefly discussed how the city’s unique blend of historical legacy and forward-thinking spirit fuels the exchange of ideas. It seemed fitting: only in Oxford could one attend a lecture in a centuries-old theater and then casually cross paths with a tech innovator in a small, offbeat spot. These encounters drove home a final lesson: the environment you surround yourself with can spark creativity, collaboration, and a sense of purpose.

Ultimately, what I learned from Biz Stone is that meaningful innovation thrives where old walls meet new ideas. Whether it’s challenging educational norms, pivoting from a stagnant project to a groundbreaking one, or committing to a purpose-driven definition of success, his journey highlights the power of curiosity, openness, and social responsibility. Oxford, with its centuries of academic tradition and constant influx of bright minds, offers the perfect stage for such lessons. In this city, even an informal conversation can ignite new perspectives—just as it did for me, listening to Biz Stone’s stories in the Sheldonian Theatre and then chatting with him at Treadwell. Each experience reminded me that the best ideas often emerge when we dare to rewrite the rules and remain receptive to the spark of inspiration waiting just around the corner.