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Shall we introduce ourselves?
Hello everyone!
I'd like to start a once-a-week "get to know you" conversation, since there are a lot of new faces around TED Conversations these days! Let's try a one-day conversation that closes and reopens once a week on Wednesdays, and see how it goes, shall we?
Here's a few questions to kick things off:
• What's on your reading list right now?
• Where would you love your next travel destination to be?
• If you could witness any event past, present, or future, what would you choose?
The default comment view is in reverse chronological order, so the oldest posts are down at the very bottom. You can change the "Sort By:" menu below if you'd prefer a different order. Off we go! :)
Adam Cross
My next travel destination is either France or China.
If I could witness an event I would want to see the moment writing or language was invented.
MR T
If I could witness one event, it would have to be whatever was going on 'before' the 'beginning' of the 'universe'. Either that or what the world looks like in 10,000 years time. Curiosity!
damien mcminn
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
I'm still busy with Nina Rosenstand's 'The Moral of The Story'.
But I'm also on a review-read of Peter Abraham's 'Tell Freedom'. The first time I read it in 1999, South Africa was a 4 year old democracy.
Looking back from 2012, I think the country has made so much progress. Even though much more can still be done.
Nigel Bamber
Now on The Empathic Civilisation by Jeremy Rifkin.
Fantastic book of epic scope. Read it, read it, read it!
And have a look a Jeremys' TED talk as well.
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Nigel Bamber
Colleen Steen 500+
I haven't entered the NEW AGE yet...still in the dark ages technologically:>)
Colleen Steen 500+
I'm a very "old" member of TED...LOL:>)
I don't ever have a "reading list" because I find that whatever I am "supposed" to be reading at any given time happens to come into my possession. I walked into the library recently and a certain book caught my eye...that is what I am reading at the moment. It's called "King Peggy", and it's a true story about a woman who was born in Ghana...left her small village (Otuam) to come to the USA, where she worked as a secretary at the Ghanian Embassy in Washington for years. In 2008, she got a phone call from relatives in Ghana, telling her that her uncle, the king had died, and Peggy was the new King of Otuam! It's a fascinating story with lots of cultural, educational and very interesting pieces:>)
So, I would like my next travel destination to be Otuam, Ghana, and the event I would have liked to participate in is the crowning of Peggy as King of Otuam. She's done some good things for the village, like drill wells to bring clean drinking water to the villagers:>)
P.S.Since we're introducing ourselves...this is what entertains me in the summer, and people say if you see Colleen's gardens, you will "know" Colleen:>)
http://smugdud.smugmug.com/Quintessential%20Vermont )
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
I finally managed to finish a book for book club this week, "Sleepwalk with Me"... thankfully it was a very short and quick read. Although I was told it was a comedian's memoir, it was really just a collection of his standup routines written down as chapters. But that worked for me, since I'd never seen his work before. Enjoyable enough!
Rafi Amin 20+
1) I,m reading The Kite Runner.
2) My plan is to explore northern part of Afghanistan but I,m still shaky with my decision concerning security situations.
3) I,m witnessing war in my country now but I,m tired of it & want to witness peace. I have been waiting for this since I came to this world.
Cathryn Lokey
robert hensley
I R TED newb :-P but I love it! and this is a great idea Aja :-)
I am currently reading "Gardens of the Moon" (Steven Erikson) the first book in the Malazan book of the fallen series, and for anyone who hasn't read it (and is into "high fantasy") check it out! it's really good.
Aside from that, I do a lot of internet reading and am very interested in the history of science and how knowing more about it can help people in their everyday lives (particularly when it comes to drawing sound conclusions).
I can't wait until my next TED trip tonight when I watch another series on Netfilx and share in my worlds passion for understanding.
I'm not sure I can list one single event but I would very much like to:
-have been there for Selam's birth (who is only known to us now through her fossil),
-hide in the bushes during an actual encounter between Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals,
-observe Socrates's mannerisms as he speaks,
-bow my head in shame for the human race as Galileo is forced to recant Heliocentrism,
-breathe the air of relief on a day we no longer look at the earth as our home but instead as the home of our ancestors and one of many homes - signifying (among other things) the extension of our ability to survive as a race not limited to the scope of a single planet (with the hope that we have not brought our history of war and violence as a burden for any other life in the universe to bear).
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
And welcome to TED, Robert! Hope you enjoy your viewings tonight. :)
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
I just got another book on my reading list:
Cultural Anthropology:An Applied Perspective by Gary Ferraro.
Pavels Jelisejevs
My name is Pavels. I've followed TED videos for quite some time now, but I'm new on conversations.
I'm a programmer, so most of my reading list is software related. The last book I've read is "The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood" by Deckle Edge. I'm also reading "Human Action: A Treatise on Economics" by Ludwig von Mises, an exception from computer-related literature =)
Not sure what my next travel destination will be. I'm considering to go to Crimea, but that's currently just a thought.
If I had the opportunity, I would like to witness the launch of the first train. Old trains are awesome )
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Nigel Bamber
Here goes....
I'm reading "Anarchy in Action" by Colin Ward.
I'd like my next travel destination to be home, as I work away from my family during the week.
I'm hoping to witness the kids grow into happy adults.
All a bit soppy I know, but it is mid week! :-)
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Hilton Barlach
I'm reading "On China" by Henry Kissinger
My next vacations will be in Minnesota (USA)- next month where I will visit the man that hosted me as an exchange student back in 1969
I would like to be witnessing the sun set over the sea in Reñaca - Viña del Mar (Chile)
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Hilton Barlach
Also , in 1969-70,I spent 3 months (in winter) in a small town in Minnesota... now I want to know what it looks like when it's not frozen...
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Has anyone finished any of the books on their list? I ran out of time with one of my book club selections, and had to go to the meetup without having read the book. Whoops. I did finish the textbook I was reading on building communities, though, and that was great. Tomorrow I'm going to start on "Sleepwalk with Me" for the next book club meeting. For real this time! :)
Looking forward to meeting more of you!
damien mcminn
Robert Winner 50+
I read a lot and many different subjects interest me.
The Adamic Language and Calendar; David B. Cohen, MD - Biblical Coding
Horse Soldiers; Doug Stanton - US Soldiers in Afghanistan
A Train to Potevka; Mike Ramsdell - An American Spy in Russia
The Last of the Breed; Louis L'Amour * (re-read because it is a excellent book)
Common Sense; Thomas Paine * (re-read because it defines the American cause, spirit, and relites my fires)
I like Dick Francis books as they are free of smut, foul language, well written, and very interesting.
I have traveled the globe and like Dorthy " there is no place like home."
I would enjoy being at the Globe Theatre in Statford upon Avon I am a romantic and that period would be my nitche.
Rabbi Hugh Sconfield wrote "The Passover Plot" and to be present to see if this was fact or fiction would be interesting. The problem of going to the past or the future is the possibality of altering history. To just view any of The masters in art or science would be a great honor. To associate with any of the illuminatti would give insight beyond my wildest dreams. There is no way I could choose any one event.
I an retired three times, a consultant, coach at the local school (football, basketball, and track), write, volunteer, and spoil grandkids. I am 70 and look forward to the next half of my life.
All the best. Bob
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
peter lindsay 30+
I'm not really reading anything at the moment or planning a holiday but for question 3, I would have loved to be in Berlin as they pulled bricks out of the wall. Watching the news coverage in late 89 in my mother's loungeroom as a twenty yearold I burst into tears. As someone born in the late sixties I had no knowledge of a world without cold war tension. While our current predicament regarding terrorism is a concern, at least we no longer live with the constant threat of mutual destruction.
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
peter lindsay 30+
Hilton Barlach
John Shaw
Reading:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
A Conferacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole - for the seventh time - I read this at least every two years
Travel to: Ireland - my roots - it's been awhile
Witness: The sermon on the mount
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
I'm always curious about books that inspire multiple readings. As a kid, I must have read the sci-fi novel "Ender's Game" at least a dozen times. Gave away my copy in a pique of indignation after reading some of the author's op-ed columns in college, though, and haven't read it since!
Rhona Pavis 50+
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Rhona Pavis 50+
Richard Holmes
I'm a newbie to the forums too so thought I'd post a little message.
I'm Richard and I'm a web developer based in London. I quit my day job working in advertising in January of this year to learn how to code and I'm now working for myself developing websites for a variety of clients in London and loving it.
Here's my reading list:
Jon Ronson, The Psychopath Test, 2011
Richard Wiseman, 59 Seconds, 2011
Simon Garfield, Just My Type: A Book About Fonts, 2010
Michael Ellsberg, The Education of Millionaires, 2010
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Richard Holmes
Yes it's a fantastic self-help book that is based purely on empirical data which makes a refreshing change :). Another great book by the same author is The Luck Factor which examines what luck is and why some people are "lucky" and others not so - again all backed up with studies and tips on how to make your life more lucky!
Felippa Amanta
I'm really new to TED, but browsing through the talks an conversations has been mind-blowing!
My reading list right now: 'A Long Way Gone' by Ishmael Beah and 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell
Next travel destination: Africa
I know this isn't possible, but I would love to witness the birth of a star.
And here's a smile :)
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
'The Moral Of The Story' by Nina Rosenstand.
'Disgrace' by J M Coetzee
next travel destination: Toronto,Canada.
I would love to witness a soccer world cup final with two African teams competing for the trophy.
Please check the profile and weblinks on my page for more info about me. And I will be glad to tell you more about myself.
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Hilton Barlach
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
Ahmet Yükseltürk 500+
Samuel Eliot Morison - Three Centuries of Harvard
• Where would you love your next travel destination to be?
Saint-Petersburg
• If you could witness any event past, present, or future, what would you choose?
Manhattan Project
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Ahmet Yükseltürk 500+
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
I'm Aja, and I was part of the team that originally launched the Conversations project last year. My daughter was born shortly after we got things up and running, and I've spent the last year taking care of her full-time. Now I'm working for TED again part-time, helping to manage the behind-the-scenes work here along with the rest of the fabulous Conversations team. :)
• What's on your reading list right now?
Too much! I need more hours in the day for reading. I'm in two book groups, so for those I have "Sleepwalk With Me" by Mike Birbiglia and "The Old Romantic" by Louise Dean. I'll be re-reading Carl Hiaasen's hilarious "Skinny Dip" when it's my turn to host. I'm halfway through "Building Successful Online Communities" by Robert Kraut and Paul Resnick, and at some point I'm going to need to finish and return a friend's copy of John McPhee's "Annals of the Former World" that I've had for… a few years now. :) I'd also love to have a chance to work on Robert Caro's LBJ biography (biographies?); his "The Power Broker" is one of my all-time favorites, and completely changed how I look at NYC.
• Where would you love your next travel destination to be?
I'm really not well-travelled, my only trip outside the USA was to Edinburgh last summer. I'd love to take the classic train trip through Europe, especially the beautiful old stations.
• If you could witness any event past, present, or future, what would you choose?
The future is tempting, but what if I didn't like what I saw? I think I'd go with the past… I'd love the chance to see an original performance of Hamlet at the turn of the 17th century, both for the play and for the experience of being in London at that point in time.
Thanks all, looking forward to getting to know you! :)
Fritzie Reisner 100+
I am reading Wisdom by Andrew Zuckerman. There are stunning photos and short interviews with fifty creative and accomplished people over the age of 65. Interviewees include Desmond Tutu, Andrew Wyeth, Ravi Shankar, Robert Redford, Henry Kissinger, ... people who have distinguished themselves in a range of fields.
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Aja Bogdanoff 20+
It's interesting thinking about what the ideal balance would be between "intellectual" and "personal" connections in a community like this one. I certainly agree that this is a community that leans to the intellectual, but are personal connections of value in an intellectual discussion? Do we better understand each other's ideas when we better understand each other?
Fritzie Reisner 100+
I am not at all saying that personal relationships are not fruitful in communities. I am only saying that they may not be vital when the community itself is well centered on content that is of mutual interest.