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Gaurav Gujral

Student - B.E - Computer Engineering, University of Auckland

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What is the most inspiring speech you have heard?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WibmcsEGLKo

This speech was made by Charlie Chaplin in his movie 'The Great Dictator' and it has always inspired me since I first saw it. So my question to you all is this: What speech have you heard or a talk you have seen on TED that inspires you to be a good person or gives you a brighter outlook on life?

PS: A link to the speech/talk would be appreciated if possible.

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Closing Statement from Gaurav Gujral

Thanks everyone for the great links, its been a blast looking at all these speeches and getting the chance to share some of the talks that inspire me has been great.

So once again, thanks :)

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    Oct 22 2011: Well, the conversation is coming to a close.. I think we had a pretty good run. Thanks to all those who posted, some great material there :)
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    Oct 22 2011: Prophet Muhammad's Last Sermon. I particularly like this part of the speech : "Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves"

    http://www.iium.edu.my/deed/articles/thelastsermon.html

    *In this case, I heard the speech from the local imam. ;)
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    Oct 22 2011: i was really inspired by Jobs and his speech in Stanford. During listening from time to time i recognized my own thoughts but something was absolutely new. In fact, many expressions from this speech should be written somewhere to the book of wisdom (if it exists). I am so thankful to Steve for sharing
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      Oct 22 2011: Seems to me that Job's speech at Stanford is a top pick for a lot of people. Can't blame them really, its a great speech :)
  • C Mc

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    Oct 21 2011: Leo buscaglia hands down.
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    Oct 20 2011: The most inspiring one is the speech Steve Jobs gave back in 2005 at Stanford.

    In addition, I really like Rocky Balboa's speech
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_Z5OookwOoY

    Dennis.
  • Oct 20 2011: I became a regular visitor of TED.com ever since I saw Pranav Mistry's talk on 6th Sense. Other than that, I also like Jeff Bezos's speech about 'being kind and being clever/smart'. Sir Ken Robinson's talk about creativity in schools is also thought provoking and I enjoyed it to the hilt. Recently, I saw Bunker Roy's video on the Barefoot College...really inspiring act...!

    Steve Job's speech too is great and has given me a new perspective of understanding the present.
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      Oct 21 2011: I loved the talk on sixth sense :) so innovative
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    Oct 20 2011: This speech was when Steve Jobs was 26 in 1982: When I first heard it, I was amazed at how unpolished and unconventional it was....It has some great insight and a interesting point of view.

    But what I like most..Was it was uncompromising creative and rather daring for a CEO at the time to address the public in such a way.

    http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pagegen/brochure/p3.html
  • Oct 20 2011: Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005
  • Oct 20 2011: "Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of Insight" is my favorite talk on TED. If you are at all interested on the brain or neurology you must hear it!!
  • Oct 18 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yViM_LyPx6E&feature=related#t=46s

    John Pilger is an amazing, marvelous and a wonderful documentary maker.
  • Oct 18 2011: I´m 28 years old. I saw Alison´s talk 2 years ago, a few months after my very own hip replacement surgery. I could relate enormously and she inspired me to embrace it and make the best out of it... and keeps on doing so.
    Here´s the link:
    http://www.ted.com/talks/allison_hunt_gets_a_new_hip.html
  • Oct 18 2011: I'm sorry but I don't how to talk about this topic
  • Oct 17 2011: Actually I've gotten familiar with ted recently, but in this short period I think the google computer engineer lecture that was about ' try to be a different person for 30 days' has been the most inspiring ted's speech.
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    Oct 17 2011: Hi Gaurav, Everyone, this is the speech presented in this question written out ( its in two segments);

    “I am sorry, I don’t want to be an emperor, thats not my business, I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone, I shall help everyone if possible, Jew, Gentile, black men, white. We all want to help one another, human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. The good Earth is rich. And can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way.

    Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has given us want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness is hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness, and gentleness. Without these qualities life will be violent. And all will be lost. The airplane and the radio have brought us together. The very invention of these cries out for the goodness in men. Cries out for universal brotherhood. For the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world. Millions of despairing men, women and little children. Victims of a system that makes men torture. And imprison innocent people.

    For those who can hear me, I say do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is nothing but the passing of greed. The bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass and dictators die. And the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. "
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    Oct 17 2011: (Continued)
    Soldiers don’t fight for slavery, fight for liberty. In the seventeenth chapter of St Lucas is written ” the kingdom of God is within man, not one man, nor a group of men, but in all men, in you, you the people have the power. The power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You the people have the power to make this life free and beautiful. To make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy let us use that power, let us all Unite. Let us all fight for a new world, a decent world, that will give men a chance to work, that will give you a future, and old age a security.

    By the promise of these things brutes have risen to power but they lie, they do not fulfill their promise, they never will. Dictators free themselves, but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise, let us fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers. To do away with greed with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason. A world where science and progress will lead to all mens happiness.

    Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us all unite. “ Charlie Chaplin
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      Oct 17 2011: Thanks for that! I should have thought of writing it out lol >.
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        Oct 17 2011: My pleasure. You have done so much more by creating this page, it has been a great learning tool. I thought it be nice to have the written format for future readers ( including myself who will refer back to this page in the future again ;-)
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      Oct 20 2011: Wow, I thought I was the only one who love that movie...It was his first Talkie as they use to say : D
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        Oct 21 2011: Haha you're not alone mate. That was a classic movie :)
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    Oct 16 2011: Most comprehensive and inspiring speech on human rights is the farewell sermon of Muhammad:
    Extracts from BBC documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGROFE1LnyY
    Extracts from the movie ' the Message': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FigeXL0zU0

    And the most recent and inspiring speech which is truly thought provoking is by Steve Jobs at Stanford University:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc
  • Oct 15 2011: I better remind u of a movie, I think cud be very inspiring(though not a speech)" LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL"
    it's one of my best( inspiring) movie.
    It's a 'must-watch-movie'
  • Oct 15 2011: Terence McKenna: Culture is not your friend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYB0VW5x8fI
  • Oct 15 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1GWBB7qrBA You might like this one
  • Oct 15 2011: Many talks by J.Krishnamurti (1896-1986). I heard them on the radio, on videotape, and in person in Ojai, California.
  • Oct 15 2011: My speech to the graduation class:
    Go, Live, Become.
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    Oct 14 2011: Here is another one not from real life but from film which I found very inspiring....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLrrBs8JBQo&feature=related
  • Oct 14 2011: Nick Vujicic, inspiring in many ways
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYk-UwqFKA&feature=related
  • Oct 14 2011: Simon Synek How leaders inspire action thats my favorite TED Talk, its so complete it has eethos pathos logos y just love it and it actually inspire me. The only thing i dont like about this talk is that doesnt work in my country.
    http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
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    Oct 13 2011: I had a chance to hear Ben Zander talk for about 90 minutes at a Schwab conference a number of years ago. Truly, one of the most amazing experiences of this type... He has also do a TED Talk... http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
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    Oct 13 2011: I also love this FDR speech.. http://youtu.be/3EZ5bx9AyI4