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Mark Monroe

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Are there any Republicans, tea party members, or conservatives here?

From looking at the conversations, it seems that most people that use TED.com are non-conservatives. If the ideas that are presented on TED are so good, why would that be the case?

Those that might benefit most from listening to TED talks, are the very same people that would never consider exploring this site. It seems to me that putting good ideas on the web is not enough, you must actively seek out those that could most benefit from the information. You must challenge the world view of those that fear knowledge and science.

Topics: TED education politics republicans
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    dick hopkins

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    Jul 8 2011: I'm a Conservative Capitalist.
    No groups for me. I'll do my own thinking.
    We do need some socialisim here in America. There are some folks born with problems our taxes should take care of. Education, Roads n Hiways, Laws and the Military to support.
    The rest should all come from Capitalisim.
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    Tim blackburn 30+

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    Jul 6 2011: im voting for RP, so ballot wise im RP, but in life, not really anything.

    • Austin R 20+

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      Jul 6 2011: RP! Good choice :)
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        Tim blackburn 30+

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        Jul 6 2011: right? i dont agree with everything he says, but most of it, and thats unusal these days.

  • Thomas Webster

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    Jul 6 2011: Forgive the side note, but it horrifies me that we have so willingly ceded the right to be free of restrictive labels. What does it mean, exactly, to be a conservative? What if I reject the death penalty but own a gun? Then what am I? I know some people who vote Republican and reject neither knowledge nor science.

    What good can come from that label in the first place? How much better might this country be if we chose to think of ourselves as under one label: Americans? How much better might our world be if we chose to broaden even further and think of ourselves, all of us, as one label: People. Given that so much animosity results from these often spurious groupings, I suspect that eschewing labels might be one of the most beneficial things we (all of us) could do.
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      anthony bruni 30+

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      Jul 7 2011: The paradoxical part is at least the 2 major parties in the states have no real purpose, other than winning elections. If we had more parties that were devoted to specific issues less people would seek a sense of identity in them.

    • Finbarr Timbers

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      Jul 11 2011: Great point. I think that one of the main issues with the labelling is that it causes people to reject ideas out of hand, without considering their pros/cons. I'd say this is most exemplified in the current Republican anti-tax standoff, but every group deals with it to a certain extent. If we could work on removing the labels and causing people to focus on ideas, the benefits to society would be huge. However, due to the current electoral system, this is nigh-impossible to accomplish.
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    Laurens Rademakers 50+

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    Jun 29 2011: I'm a communist. That automatically makes me a republican. Each year I sign a manifesto asking the King of Belgium to resign, because we want a Republic here.

    I'm also a conservative, because I do not want to change/lose the great social progress which was given to us by the socialists and communists, long ago (health care, retirement benefits, free education, etc...).

    In short, I'm a conservative republican, belonging to the communist party.
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    Joe Delsen 20+

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    Jun 29 2011: Hey Mark you can count me as one but don't be surprised if you label me as a democrat too. I think that we can be the best of everybody and advance the ideas that best serve our mutual interests - basic rights for all - food, shelter, education, healthcare & security and a system of government and business that is made right by the principles of freedom, justice and truth.

    I think that there is no scarcity of resources or technologies, there is scarcity on the needs of our hearts and minds to care and inspire and to be cared and inspired. This I believe is the key to transform our nation and our world. http://Bit.Ly/ThePowerInfo
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    Chris Aldon 20+

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    Jun 29 2011: Are you implying that conservatives fear knowledge and science?

    I don't base my politics on party lines, I've got both "liberal" and "conservative" views, but I'm leaning Republican for 2012.

    TED talks are not always a benefit; if the viewer disagrees the talk will have only succeeded in making them more passionate against the case. No amount of words will convince me that Koran is scientific miracle, just as no amount of words will convince stern conservatives to adopt liberal social policy.

    • Finbarr Timbers

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      Jul 11 2011: I agree. I think that the question is poorly worded, and helps reinforce contemporary partisan politics. I find myself leaning towards the right too, but in Canada.

      As someone leaning towards the Republicans, how has the current debt limit crisis affected your view of the Republican party? Furthermore, how has the recent partisanship environment influenced your views?
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        Chris Aldon 20+

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        Jul 11 2011: The only thing I am sure about is that despite whatever gets done people somewhere will be upset.

        I'm against raising a debt limit, because it seems against common sense. (can't afford it under these rules? change the rules) let's fix the problems not the symptoms.

        In regards to the partisan environment; there is never a perfect candidate just one that I agree with on more important issues. For a long time I withheld my opinion and vote because all the candidates seemed terrible.
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