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Juliette Zahn
Boston, MA
United States

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How have we changed so far because of TED??

As we ready ourselves to start a new year, what learning from TED Talks have we incorporated into our way of being?? How have we changed because of TED in our day to day lives??

Please share one concrete learned idea that has resonated with you in each entry you make. Please make a new entry for each learning point you would like to offer. Above talks are only a sampling of my favorites and not meant to limit anyone's input. There are 1107 TED Talks to choose from, so you are welcomed to make as many entries here as you wish.

I am hoping this will be a place where we can pool what we each have taken away from TED, and share our new applied and practical knowledge, skills and directives.

With much gratitude in advance,
Happy New Year!!

Related Talks:

Topics: Our New Selves

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Juliette Zahn 50+
- +2
Jan 28 2012: The first thing that happened when I started listening to TED talks, in 2007, was that I felt what I heard was most sensible, even plain common sense. I had discovered a wonderful new source of knowledge and ideas that inspired and gave hope. I would come inside my environment and tune in to the talks, all ears, feeling enriched with every talk. I enjoyed feeling the opening in my mind to receiving knowledge in fields that were far from the focus of my studies or work - which had carved one exquisite but single track in my mind - one example was talks on Global warming and how our current way of life is contributing to it. It made sense that by riding my bike to the store, or taking my roller cart and walking to the market, by not consuming certain products, I could reduce my own damage to the environment, and at the same time improve my physical fitness!!

Then I would step out and in that world I would be increasingly shocked and astonished how people were running the engines of their SUV's as they loaded groceries on to their car, or how they left the plastic and bottle rubbish that their toddler had thrown out on the parking lot as they were packing the vehicle, just lying there. There was something monumentally painful about witnessing a person who is exponentially destroying the world for the very child she had brought into and is planning to leave this Earth for.

As you might guess, I would run inside my world and close the doors and turn on to TED and play it over and over again. Things made sense only in here. The world became hard to bear.

I think I stayed in for a couple of years ;-):-)..maybe three ;-) listening, learning, listening, learning, listening learning...all inside my cocoon. My family started to worry. But the good news is that, I started to see changes, like the infiltration of light into the dark, hope starting to show through. I saw the love in people and the care, the abundance of goodness...I re-emerged as the new me.
sara mahdavi
- 0
Jan 21 2012: hi my name is sara.and you?
Elizabeth Gu 30+
- +3
Jan 21 2012: I've learned the way to understand differences between other people's way of thinking and mine.
Unlike other social-network sites, in TED site, people usually write their comments with great contents--guess in some part, it's because of the "thumbs-up" lol, btw. So, I think those brilliant comments have made their ideas clear and profound.
Even though there are some pros and cons in Asian way of communication, I think this beautiful way of communicating with other people--(I personally call it "the way of TED communicating") couldn't have been done it in Korea where there are some kind of limitation in communicating with others--for example, since we've inherited same courtesy, traditions, and Confucian ideas, it's probable that our thoughts and ways of expressing our opinions are fundamentally similar to one another.
So, participating in TED conversations and adding comments have been a fresh and profound experience to me, which have also encouraged me to be more open-minded.
Moreover, I've realized the true meaning of selflessness in this community.
In this case, "selflessness" is giving my ideas to others for free in order to share my ideas with others and spread it to the world.
I had learned that if I have a genius idea that is possible to be profitable in the future, I need to keep it a secret and develop it by myself so that the idea can be "a benefit of my own life". But thanks to TED, I realized that that attitude is a part of "selfishness". Or should I say a narrow-minded and ironically unproductive attitude?I had no idea sharing ideas could be really fruitful and worthwhile before realizing the importance of sharing my ideas with others.
The last thing I’ve learned from TED is still, I am the only person who can make a real difference in my life no matter how inspiring this TED site is!
That is, unless I try to do something to make a difference in my life and the community I live in, bunches of wonderful TED talks are meaningless and superficial to me.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 23 2012: Trading our narrow-minded , selfish self who would hold back fearing exploitation, or impose it's own view point, for a self-less, open-minded, contributing person who participates in bringing solutions is the only way of positive change. Having realized that it is only by collaboration that mutual benefit is possible, it is a thrill to meet these new people at and through TED.
  http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_anderson_how_web_video_powers_global_innovation.html
  I am glad you also included " I am the only person who can make a real difference in my life no matter....." what.
Youhuan Zhang 500+
- +1
TEDx Organizer

Jan 17 2012: I cant think a particular TED talk that really changed me, but I can surely say that TED changed my view of the world and the way that I interact with the world inside out. I appreciate TED from my heart for changing me to a positive direction.
By the way I think all the TED are amazing and influential!!!
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 18 2012: It is indeed heartwarming to know the "cycle" is turning at TED by and for all ....
Christophe Cop 500+
- +1
TED Attendee TEDx Organizer Associate

Jan 16 2012: I became week day Veg.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/graham_hill_weekday_vegetarian.html

And I started TEDxFlanders...

And probably a lot of how I think has been heavily influenced by all the talks...
As for how exactly? don't know.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 17 2012: It is odd how when we face two opposite choices, at first we forget the wide open range of possibilities in between."Week Day Veg"- Offers a really great and workable solution when facing two opposite choices. Instead of having to choose either / or, it opens up additional middle - ground options.
  
  Thank you Christophe for this encouragement :-):-)
Cameron Kinney
- +1
Jan 15 2012: Michael Nielsen emphasized in his Open Science Now talk how if we can break down the barriers that keep scientists from sharing ideas with each other, then we can accelerate the rate of scientific progress.

I think this idea demonstrates the power that we are capable of through websites like TED. By improving the way we share thoughts and ideas we can speed up the time it takes to generate solutions for problems.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - +1
  Jan 18 2012: It is so important to realize that "speeding up the time it takes to generate solutions for problems" and accelerating the rate of progress is critical now. It matters to everyone and we should use our time wisely to collaborate on solutions. Being able to connect to the "cycle" & help turn the wheel, like Chris says in his talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/chris_anderson_how_web_video_powers_global_innovation.html
Heather White 10+
- +1
Jan 15 2012: I'm new to TED, but already I prefer it to fb - which is great for keeping touch with university friends, but TED is more interesting and thought provoking. It's fantastic to connect with people from cultures very different from my own. Most contributors have positive and supportive attitutes. Robert Maden seems to be worried about exploitation of original ideas and yet Tim Berners-Lee didn't take that point of view and now we have the web. Ideas don't deminish with sharing - indeed, they need to be shared to thrive. I'd be proud to have an idea worth exploiting :-)
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 15 2012: As Sir Tim Berners-Lee puts it : “Creating the web was really an act of desperation, because the situation without it was very difficult (with existing systems).”
  
  Our coming together on the TED forum, making positive contributions, is critically important when we realize the urgent need as people of this world to avoid desperation that former and existing systems have caused.
  
  If I a highlighter would work here I would highlight this :
  
  "Ideas don't deminish with sharing - indeed, they need to be shared to thrive."
  
  Well said Heather.
Robert Maden
- 0
Jan 15 2012: TED is a site which uses the knowledge of others, and more serious, is making money with your words, your work and your knowledge. Do not waste your time. The level of discussion is the worst.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 18 2012: You realize Robert that TED is a non-profit organization. The organization puts together a conference once per year. They invite fifty speakers to speak from every field and endeavor. The idea is spreading positive thoughts and helping everyone find solutions.
  
  One thousand people pay to attend the conference live. At the same time the talks are video taped and broadcast to everyone on this planet (who has access to the internet) for FREE. And TED conversations are for genuine exchange of your concerns, and ideas.
Robert Maden
- 0
Jan 15 2012: TED is a site which uses the knowledge of others, and more serious, is making money with your words, your work and your knowledge. Do not waste your time. The level of discussion is the worst.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 25 2012: Dear Robert,
  
  TED is a non-profit idea-based-endeavor aimed at positive change for everyone everywhere.
  
  http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/chris_anderson_shares_his_vision_for_ted.html
  
  Hope this helps..
Kat Haber 500+
- +1
TED Attendee TEDx Organizer Associate

Jan 14 2012: Powerful "soulutionary" thinking.
From the many, we are learning to listen deeply to the one.
Feel into messages. The energy with which an idea is presented will determine how moved I will be to embrace that idea told at TED or a TEDx.
Systemic, some cyclic breakdowns on EARTH, can be responded to in creative ways, successfully.
Multidimensional shifts are seeking light through TED, freely shared with humanity online.
Thousands of us are learning how to organize our own independent TED like events.
We are finding solutions within our own communities to problems shared with other communities openly.
Leveraging social media to link our communities.
Finding science fun, taking humor seriously, experiencing out-of-the-box thinking commonly,
sensing with our mind/hearts, and expecting epiphanic moments...so far...
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - +1
  Jan 15 2012: That just opened 11+ channels for ascension of spirit into epiphany!!
  
  As “multidimensional shifts are seeking light through TED”, plugging into this free resource is the most remarkable part of our time. And it is thrilling to be in touch with our -oneness- as human family focussing on solutions.
Randall Bretz 500+
- +1
TED Attendee TEDx Organizer

Jan 14 2012: One thing that struck me in coordinating TEDxLincoln in 2011 is that there are many positive ideas out there, ideas that can make a difference in a good way. As we take the time to listen to those ideas and incorporate them into our own lives, we can make an impact and in a small way improve our world. This, in contrast to what I've been reading in "In the Garden of Beasts" where fear, threats, and violence can unleash horrible things.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 18 2012: Agreed. "listening to those ideas and incorporating them into our own lives, we can make improve our world.""
  
  Regarding the "garden"- light being the one and only source of life, obviously without it, there is only decay. Fortunately for us we all have the sun :-):-) and from there when more of us can realize that our purpose is shining the light, and spreading it to others, then we can sustain humanity until it reaches its full potential. The desperate need for human ascension into it's higher and bigger and better story has never been so clearly evident as now. And TED makes me feel that we are at the dawn of a great era.
  
  I can only imagine the thrill of being at a TED conference, and it must be great !! Coordinating one, sounds like a major workout ;-):-)Thank you Randall for your input here and your great work.
Robert Maden
- 0
Jan 14 2012: TED is a site which uses the knowledge of others, and more serious, is making money with your words, your work and your knowledge. Do not waste your time. The level of discussion is the worst.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - +1
  Jan 15 2012: Dear Robert, Welcome !!
  
  I am happy that you have decided to join in this conversation.
  Would you like to live in a world where you wake up and have someone wonderful waiting to see you. Someone who is looking forward to you doing your work for them. Someone who really appreciates you for who you are? And appreciates you for what you do?? Someone who will pay you for doing a job the way it is done by you, which is so fine and good?
  
  I know you do. And I hope you do. I hope this and wish this for you because I know you are unique. Every person is unique. Every person has a gift. Every person deserves dignity and appreciation for what they are good at. You can be happy if you can be yourself and pay your bills. Be your authentic self. Be your true self. Be the person you love to be.
  
  Maybe you can make a very sad person happy by teaching them to dance. Maybe you can build a leg for someone who has lost theirs. Maybe you can teach people how to cook and become healthy instead of diabetic. Maybe ..... May be you know how to make the Bahamas self sufficient by generating it’s own electricity from the winds!!
  
  If you think about this, it will become clear to you that we each have the opportunity to rise within ourselves and become the person that we really wish to be. To do the things that we are each good at, do something every day as your job that makes your heart sing, instead of working every day at a job you hate.
  
  By making these ideas and information available to us all for free, TED is giving us, the individual people of this world, the control over our own life. It is empowering you and I to become the teacher who decides for our own selves.
  
  Things only change for the better when we each think differently than what we thought before.
  
  You are unlimited, give of your good self to make this a better world and you will be amazed by the rewards!! :-)
Mohammad Marohombsar
- +1
Jan 14 2012: First thing I noticed on TED is how much confidence you gain even if your ideas are rejected. It is like, the world is one big water cooler and you are hanging out with a lot of people from different backgrounds.

The second thing is the feeling that you want to get some work done after your little break at the water cooler. The ideas and how the users put them, teach them or lay them out are amazing.

Third, well, the biggest change really is knowing you're not alone.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 14 2012: There is nothing better than " hanging out with a lot of people from different backgrounds and drinking - water - together from the one big cooler", then going back to do our work having gained confidence, and knowing that we are not alone. That is a great image Mohammad !! We are ~70% H2O:-)
theresa leclair
- +1
Jan 14 2012: I just literally got turned on to him yesterday .Impressed so far isnt the word
I look forward to this yr with Ted...........
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 15 2012: A new TEDster!! welcome Theresa :-) I am so glad to know that you tuned in here. You are in a great place. There are more than a thousand talks by the best minds of our time. The people who gave these talks have focussed their whole life's energy in looking for solutions to help others.
  
  When I started listening to TED talks, in 2007, I found them to be packed with knowledge. Especially since the subject matter was different from what I had focussed on in my studies, I felt I was listening to a foreign language. Everything was so far from my area of familiarity. I had to listen to each one several times over and over to "get the point". Sometimes, it would take me weeks to see the wisdom!!
  
  My first take was that: It is good to feel the reassurance that really intelligent people are working on solving our problems.
Luis Garcia
- +2
Jan 13 2012: I have incorporarted quite a few ideas into my work. I have shared Simon Sinek's ideas, my favorite Sir Ken Robinson and quite other I use them actively and Fridays is a TED day in my office. I am looking to ask my co-workers to choose their favorite TED talks and we discuss how to implement them, use them or just promote them. I tell everyone to incorporate TED into their thinking.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 13 2012: Hi Luis, "a TED day at the office" I wish I worked for you Fridays :-);-)
  - Luis Garcia
    
    0
    Jan 14 2012: We are always looking for bright people- open my office in Boston :) Cheers!
    - Juliette Zahn 50+
      
      +1
      
      Jan 14 2012: Great !! What are we waiting for :-);-)
Jérémy Simonklein
- +1
Jan 11 2012: And it's my pleasure to participate to this topic =)
Vale Satori
- 0
Jan 11 2012: It is an excellent idea, also to give ALL teens experience to assist a new parent in the first, say few months, with a new born, perhaps the young adult would think again before risking an early pregnancy situation.

I would also like to see early teenagers having the opportunity of learning to build as part of the later school curriculum, their Own Inner Parent, so many have, (bless them), dysfunctional role models as parents.
If a young teen has missed out on Positive Parenting but can build the 'Parent Inside' themselves, that is based somewhat on their parents, but also on other good role models, or self-referral, then as children leaving school I do believe they would be more conscious and responsible for themselves.
Therefore not so many alcohol and drug-takers, teen-pregnancies, road accidents, going to Uni' to do 'What's expected,' or taking jobs which are totally unsuitable for their character.
Wesley McCabe
- +1
Jan 11 2012: Educated on parts of reality we all don't get a chance to think about. But yet we do get to think about them thanks to TED.
László Szantor
- +1
Jan 10 2012: Hi Juliette,,,,nice to meet with you again, returning to this splendid forum we are getting to know each other. I always favoured discussion groups for the rich and varied feedback.
An important life lesson was artfully demonstrated on Stefon Harris' : There are no mistakes on the bandstand.
Applying the same principle to my life I must conclude that a false note is not to be a cause for discouragement. It is a part of the performance and I can't stop but have to improvise and change dissonance into harmony. No matter what, the show must go on. In fact, mistakes are warning blinkers telling me to go another way. Hopefully I can incorporate them into a pleasant, enjoyable life -music.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 11 2012: Hi László !! Good to meet you again too on these TED paths:-) :-)
  
  I too feel Stefon Harris' Talk is priceless management advice. He calls it "band stand" I call it life. I feel we are in "a sacred space" called life. We can turn "dissonance into harmony". And, that, I believe, is the very reason we are here!!
  
  Reading your poetic writing László, is always refreshing and inspiring. Many thanks for this!
Fritzie Reisner 100+
- +1
Host

Jan 9 2012: I will note two things I have seen here that stand out. One is that TED shows that one can get thought leaders in a variety of fields to share in this sort of format so that anyone with internet access can in one place find what the most stimulating and inventive creative work going on today looks like. The curated format makes this a particularly efficient way of bringing a world's worth of people into the conversation by presenting the ideas in a format of manageable size.The second related idea is that a discussion community is possible as an adjunct that is open to sharing of thoughts among a wide variety of people, some expert and some not expert but interested. It is an egalitarian format, a noncommercial format, and one that is about ideas (rather than veering off to a lot of chat).So my learning from this is that this seems a highly productive, inclusive, and thus far sustainable format for idea sharing that I think is very fundamentally useful in global community.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 16 2012: Egalitarian + Inclusive + Sustainable = the new global community
  
  That sounds good !! :-)
Jeniffer Bell
- +1
Jan 9 2012: Every talk on TED has helped me learn something vital... The talks open your mind to new areas and dimensions which you never might have thought about ...
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 11 2012: Keeping our mind "open" is key. That is a great input Jeniffer !!
Fiorella Bonicelli
- +1
Jan 9 2012: I find that the end-goal is exciting but the process can be brutal. I work hard to find something, anything that can re-inspire me on a daily basis and remind me why I decided on my particular journey. TED Talks are the fuel that keeps me going creatively, inspirationally, and intellectually hopefully long enough to reach my goal.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 11 2012: I too "keep re-inspiring myself on a daily basis" through TED.
  That is an excellent idea for making the "process" as rewarding as the end goal. Thanks Fiorella.
Juliette Zahn 50+
- +1
Jan 9 2012: Just a recording of a magnificent full moon right now...I hope you will all be touched by it's brilliance :-):-)
Dan Hegerich
- +1
Jan 9 2012: TED has sparked inspiration to perform on the TED stage. In listening to Daniel Goldstein's talk on "The conflict between our present and furture self", I took that as validation for my own inspiratons and ideas that I desire to share with others. So, I registered an account with TED.com and make it a daily practice to view at least one TED video per day until I'm on the stage. Do The C.U.R.E.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 9 2012: "Validation of inspirations", I feel, is probably the most empowering effect of humane connections.
  
  We'll be looking for your TED talk as it approaches Dan :-) It sounds like a great journey!!
Comment deleted
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 9 2012: Why do I have a feeling that some very beautiful thoughts will soon be born on this page from a fabulous heart !! Thrill is mounting..I'll wait for it ;-):-). lol.
Jérémy Simonklein
- +1
Jan 8 2012: I think the most important thing that TED talks have changed in my life is my technic to resolve problems and how to see it. In fact, now, when something happens in my private or professional life, I try first to resolve it, of course, but if it doesn't work, I try to see the problem in another way... Thing I did'nt used to do before. And I sincerely think it's thanks to the lot of TED talks I've seen and wich teached me to see the world with another angle, and always have a reflexion on everything, even if we well know these things... Thank you to all TED Talkers for this...
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 11 2012: Welcome Jérémy!!
  Learning " to see the world with another angle, and always have a reflexion on everything, EVEN IF WE WELL KNOW these things".
  It is indeed my great pleasure to receive your contribution to this topic.
paska rinda
- +1
Jan 8 2012: I already new member on TEDx I think its really great site because we can changing our point of view about something without any judgement.
i never been found such this site before and its really help me a lot since i have a lot of question on my head, sometime its a bit strange if we make freely our thought on the society. Actually human need answered to every question on their brain and i thought TEDx is source to give all answered. Since i joined with TEDx i almost spent my time to think about anything and make disscussion that was really fun and i love it very much..:D i also give thanks to Newyorktimes newspaper because i found out TEDx from there..:D i can meet people around the world and see from every way perspective.
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - +2
  Jan 8 2012: " we can change our point of view about something without any judgement by enabling ourselves to see from every perspective."
  
  That is outstanding Paska !! Maintaining :-) :-) that ability is true freedom.
  - paska rinda
    
    +1
    Jan 8 2012: Thanks julie, i like your question too..:D its great site for everyone who is hungry about knowledge and learning..:D
    
    Have a nice time julie.:D
Vale Satori
- 0
Jan 7 2012: Cairo's talk aroused even more humility and compassion in me, which has always been in the forefront of my psyche. His simple, honest way of presenting his story under tragic circumstances and the courage which overcomes fear to carry out what is in our hearts and surpass' even wartime circumstances, totally endeared me to him, and all his co-workers.
Thank you for sharing Cairo and may God and humanity gift you for your wonderful contributions to those less fortunate among us, who's hearts are nevertheless as open to change.
Vale Satori
- +1
Jan 7 2012: I have been inspired to develop my own creative skills after watching and listening about 'The Paper Cutter!'
Thank you
- Juliette Zahn 50+
  - 0
  Jan 25 2012: Béatrice Coron’s Talk is so inspiring for me because not only is the art work refreshing and useful, but also it is inspiring to see how by using plain tools (like paper and scissors) someone re-invented herself as a self-sustaining artist.
  
  http://www.ted.com/talks/beatrice_coron_stories_cut_from_paper.html
Vale Satori
- 0
Jan 7 2012: I have my beliefs resurrected by the talk that "Education kills Creativity'

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