I’ve said it before – I routinely watch TED talks for knowledge and inspiration. Two that I watched very recently about the climate crisis toughed me, and I felt the need to share them.
I’d never heard of John Doerr before watching the very emotional speech on the climate crisis in 2007. He starts saying, “I don’t think we’re going to make it.” Find out why. [Video]
I don’t do many posts about music, but it’s always healthy to bust one’s cycle. I was browsing TED videos while riding the school bus the other day, and came across a performance by Raul Midon. He did a song about our current state of finding information on the Internet. I loved it – check it out.
My new favorite pastime has been watching videos from the remarkable TED conference. Before I go off to college, I hope to have watched all of the videos available on the TED website. I’ve watched 24 so far and have many times that number to go.
Yesterday, while I was having a uniquely bad day, I put on a talk from Jill Bolte Taylor. Here’s the summary on the TED website.
Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened — as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding — she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.
I beg you to watch this video. Not only did it cheer me up, but it’s changed the way I view the human spirit. Jill brings a type of genuine inspiration to her talk that’s rare today. Block out nineteen minutes and watch it below, or download a higher quality movie file (recommended). I cannot say enough good things about it.