How do cultural traditions adapt to modern times without losing their essence? In this talk, Dr. Samir Mahmoud explores the meaning of tradition, why societies pass down knowledge, and the tension between preservation and innovation. He challenges the false divide between “conservatives who preserve” and “progressives who evolve,” showing how imitation, emulation, and innovation all play vital roles in shaping culture.From classical Arab-Islamic scholarship to examples in nature, art, and crafts, this lecture reveals how traditions can inspire creativity and progress. The key is not choosing between past and future, but asking when, what, and how we preserve—and when, what, and how we evolve. Dr. Samir Mahmoud is currently Academic Director of Usul Academy .He is also Lecturer on the Diploma in Islamic Psychology at the Cambridge Muslim College.Recently he was Assistant Professor at the Lebanese American University. He has a BA (Hons) in Anthropology & Politics with a focus on multicultural theory and comparative religion, and an MA in Architectural History, Theory & Urban Design with a focus on the traditional townscape from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. He also holds an MPhil in Theology & Religious Studies with a focus on comparative philosophy and aesthetics. He completed a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Cambridge. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx