Get Lost in Space with TED and his Cool Friends
December 25, 2008, by Melissa Howden
It’s easy to get lost on the Internet in the web of virtual information, bloggers, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and the like. The one place I don’t mind spending hours on the Web is with Ted: Ted.com, to be precise. Ted signifies Technology, Entertainment and Design: Ideas Worth Spreading. As an idea junkie myself I’ve set aside an hour or so a week to listen to a couple of talks from the Ted Talks archive where according to Ted’s website, “The world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers are challenged to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes.” It would be possible, easy in fact, to debate the concept of who are the most fascinating thinkers and doers but to my mind that would be a waste. The talks for me are about expansion, expanding thought, challenging attitudes, inspiring action and nurturing hope.
I first got hooked when someone sent me one of the most widely-viewed Ted Talks, Jill Bolte Taylor’s My Stroke of Insight in which Jill, a brain scientist, describes having a massive stroke and the observations she made as it happened. Learn what Jill discovered about the nature of consciousness and then keep going. When video talks have the power of a peak experience I’d say it’s worth getting lost with Ted.
Learn more about Jill Bolte Taylor >>
December 25th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Wow, Melissa! An easily kept resolution for the New Year: an hour with TED a week. I checked out Jill’s talk, which blew my mind! Thank you, thank you, for this fabulous–and FREE–Christmas gift. Taking an hour a week, or even 20 minutes, as this “lecture” was long, is NOTHING compared to the time I’ve spent watching mindless TV, waiting in lines to buy stuff I don’t need, and a host of other modern-day, mind-numbing time-wasters with which I’ve filled my life. Already I feel re-energized and more intelligent…just think how I feel in six weeks! Bring on 2009!
December 30th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
What great brain food. Thanks for the nourishment! And dearpru, that’s a fabulous idea. I’m going to do that too. Off to a good start for the new year.