This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Who can make a worthwhile contribution on TED conversations?
It seems to me that it takes all kinds of people to make the sorts of exceptional conversations that we find here at TED conversations. Please tell me what kind of person you think makes a real contribution. Who sparks your thinking and why and how? Tell me anything you think is relevant.
I loved this TEDx talk and starting at about 3:30 it gets pretty profound to me.
http://youtu.be/7eEaELy1fq8
I often think it has something to do with the ying and yang around courage.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Imad Atwi 10+
Colleen Steen 500+
Imad Atwi 10+
PS: ingenuity is a thread away from insanity.
Barney Woods
The links that so-called 'insanity' has with 'genius' or 'ingenuity' is something I'd love to know more about.
Does a person have to be insane to think outside the box? Who is it labelling that person 'insane'?
Colleen Steen 500+
I did my own exploration/research/study years ago after a near fatal head/brain injury. I was told I would never function "normally" again. What the heck does THAT mean for me for the rest of my life? I was ALWAYS "outside the box" with beliefs, so why should it be different after the injury and emergency craniotomy?
I was often told (before the injury) that I was living in a fantasy world....not facing reality....because I believe in unconditional love... acceptance.....compassion......empathy..etc.....for EVERYONE with whom I share this earth school. I believe in joy and contentment, even in the face of challenges. That was one of my "faults" according to my wasband (was my husband)....he was convinced that "nobody can be that joyful", so it must be abnormal....I can laugh about it now:>)
What I discovered with my research, is that there are many, many levels of emotions/behaviors, which are considered "normal" or "abnormal"! I believe we can learn a lot by opening our mind and heart to EVERYTHING a person has to offer.
For example: I coached kids competing in special olympics, who were labeled "mentally disabled". Those kids.....hundreds of them.....are the most enthusiastic, open, honest, trusting, genuinely unconditionally loving humans I have ever interacted with. They posess qualities that many people spend their lives searching for. We can learn a LOT from these kids!!!
GREAT question....who labels a person, why do people feel they need to label, and how beneficial is that to all of us?
Barney Woods
I'll do just that - make it a discussion topic. Appreciate your encouraging words!
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Colleen Steen 500+
The experience coaching special olympians was one highlight of my life,
and talk about "a worthwhile contribution"!!!! Those kids brought joy and love to all of us in every single moment. I get teary eyed just remembering their enthusiasm, and the almost constant smiles on their faces, even when pushing themselves physically. And you know what most of them did at the end of the races.....ESPECIALLY those who DID NOT win??? They all hugged and congratulated each other without fail. Now that, is a worthwhile contribution and a GREAT lesson! They were/are great teachers......in my humble perception:>)