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Manue M
Mae Nam, Koh Samui
Thailand

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Why do you use your voice in TED conversations?

Why do you use your voice in Ted conversations?
Do you use it for Learning, influencing, researching? Getting new ideas? Does it help you think?

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Closing Statement from Manue M

Wow! That was the first I gave so may thumbs up in a conversation! We all have good reasons to use our voices, and yet, as it has been mentioned in the conversation, listening to others is very important, it is part of the exercise. Thumbs up to everyone! There are some people I Interact with in Ted's conversations and I feel like I know them now. I would love to meet them someday!
We all learn through Ted, we are challenged. Ted is a great environment to evolve in. It is a great opportunity for me also to practice my written English! I am also glad that this conversation led to another one, opened by Sina.

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Alessandro Paulo Martinez
- +1
Mar 7 2012: Nothing sharpens the mind more than having conversations with other people who have sharp minds and wits. Voicing out in TED Conversations opens discourse and a free exchange of good ideas. It's a great avenue for learning and I can't help but feel the need to contribute as well.
chad manderscheid 10+
- +1
Mar 5 2012: Besides the fun of interacting with bright people with interesting backgrounds and unique viewpoints, I hope to help sentient beings avoid unnecessary suffering and increase their capacity for Joy. The process of trying to do so gives me Joy and I hope increases my capacity to help. Since Joy has no known limits there is a reasonable chance of some success. I love the idea that love is a nearly unique noun in that the more you give away the more you have to share.
A. Lincolns observation" that most people are about as happy as they have made up their mind to be" Makes me happy because MAYBE I might be able to help a few people change their mind. Even a little success affects the world's misery to Joy ratio positively and makes it a nicer place to be for me and everyone I love. Since I love everyone I know that is a strong motivator. When I finally understand someone then I know them. Some people I understand quickly and some take longer. It works the other way too, everyone who knows-understands me loves me. Thus if we could end misunderstanding we could avoid most unnecessary suffering. Some wise person once said that knowing the truth will make us free. Seems true to me.
Sina Elli 10+
- 0
TED Translator

Mar 5 2012: Dear Manue,

Thank you for taking time and replying to my comment. I enjoyed reading your well crafted response.

I was not aware that TED does control the conversations in that way and I would not advocate for such control because like you, I think the question "the color of the wind" was worth answering and I would personally participate in that conversation.

I see TED featuring some conversation, do you have any idea based on what criteria it does that ? to my opinion and experience it seems to be done by human selection not automatically based on the the number of likes or comments.

I too believe that what people are saying specially in such environments is extremely subjective and it is their version of truth rather than a universal one.

I too had doubts on whether it is a good idea to continue this conversation here or start a new one so I started a new one with the general idea of improving TED conversation system.

http://www.ted.com/conversations/9692/improving_ted_conversations_sy.html
Miki XIE
- +1
Mar 4 2012: Lao Tzu said: "To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day."
TED is a platform to exchange ideas, knowledge and innovation. Give and Take, that's why conversations matter.
- Sina Elli 10+
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Mar 5 2012: It is a wonderful quote. adding things for knowledge and subtracting them for wisdom. would you please share your perception of the "subtracting things" with us ? that reminds me of data cleansing process in the database.
  - Miki XIE
    
    0
    Mar 5 2012: HI Sina,
    
    Thank you for your comment.
    
    Well, I am definitely agree with the data cleansing process. To be more specific, I can say we are doing a subtraction through our collective experiences that anything is hard to use, wasteful, complicated or refraining adding those things at the first place. I believe limited information do engage creation, imagination at some point, or doing something isn't always better than doing nothing. It really depends on what the things really matter to you, or let say, worth to you. I respect knowledge and there is no useless knowledge. But like you said, we need to document the unlimited resource.
    
    I have a friend who runs a small printing company. He starts his own business 2 years ago, but before that he had a very good networking with his clients. So when his business kicked off, his clients still preferred working with him and sometimes introduced new business to him. But he told me, this is not what he expects. He doesn't aim to earning a bigger business scale by winning new business. By opposite, he is doing 'subtraction' and choose the most valuable clients who can bring him the higher profit, and of course, a good relationship as well. I think it is not a bad idea that you keep the most useful data and maintain the high quality of work.On the same time, he can finish his work in a more efficient way. This guy didn't even have a high education diploma, but he is a street smart.
    
    Voila, this is just my personal idea ;-)
    
    Cheers.
    - Sina Elli 10+
      
      0
      
      TED Translator
      
      Mar 5 2012: Dear Miki,
      
      what a wonderful and exhaustive response to my question. thank you.
      
      I think what you have mentioned is what I suffer from for years. I have added knowledge of any kind to my world and never throw anything away. I agree with you that " limiting information engages creativity" or perhaps limiting all the processes and actions and all the entities that are not going to do us any good bu we are keeping them for no good reason. perhaps what we have said here has slightly touched in some sense the concept of minimalism.
      
      and then again I really love the business strategy of your friend.
      
      I would love to hear more of your insightful opinions on other subjects as well.
      Yours,
Rami Diab 10+
- +1
TED Translator

Mar 4 2012: Definitely to get different views on interesting (and mostly complex) issues. I think that TED is one of the best things that happened to the internet and will make this a better world.
Ana Triculescu
- +1
Mar 4 2012: I enjoy a healthy and intelligent discussion/argument. I like getting feedback on my thoughts and learning what other people think and how others see the world. Additionally, these discussions bring me hope because I realize there are still people out there who care, who think, who take action! So, thank you everyone for participating and interacting!! :)
Juliette Zahn 50+
- +3
Mar 4 2012: To contribute positive energy to the world.... "It is not about me it is about we."
Debra Smith 200+
- +4
Mar 3 2012: I use it because I think it is a little unique. Most women with MAs or MBAs do not have the experience of giving birth to and raising 5 kids. Most did not work in factoires or put themselves though chool.. I think that differences make us strong and that having a wide variety of opinions gives us a glimpse into truth.
Rikki Ansell
- +2
Mar 2 2012: I am here because I value the opinions of others, as I value their knowledge. As individuals, we see from a unique perspective. By reading how others approach things, I broaden my perspective. By learning what others know that I do not yet know, I also broaden my perspective. I make the assumption that others will gain the same sort of broadening from me that I gain from them. For those who haven't come to where I am, my perspective offers a bridge. For those who have been here and moved forward, I offer the chance for them to offer me a bridge. I believe that we are all always both teacher and student. TED is another room in the school of living.
Sina Elli 10+
- 0
TED Translator

Mar 2 2012: I have read the answers below and they are pretty much covering what I had in mind but I want to propose the negation of your question. and it is " what not to use your voice in TED for".

TED conversations is a ocean of intellect and using it can be a very satisfying experience and that is only because of its specific category of members who are not here for entertainment, time killing, advertisements, marketing, etc.
but I have noticed some cases of miss-usage of this environment that I think must be controlled in some way (and I don't exactly know how it is possible without harming the freedom of speech ).

I have some examples of conversation miss-usage but I prefer to first hear from you about the whole idea.
- Manue M 10+
  - 0
  Mar 2 2012: Interesting!
  
  Well Dear Sina,
  
  Once someone sent on TED a question: "what is the color of wind". It is a Zen question. In my opinion, The answers could have been very poetic and classified under philosophy. The conversation Suddenly disappeared. I thought the person who posted the question had removed it. I had written an answer already and was really keen to share it. As it was an ancient question, I decided to repost it. But, it got removed by Ted because the question was "too vague."
  So, Ted does control at least the questions sent.
  
  I might have the tendency to refere a lot to examples from my own life. And I wonder if this is questionnable. I think that to some extend it is ok. Real examples brighten up conversations, motivations under a question can be revealing, personal experiences do explain why we think how we think.
  
  People can be very emotive and try to find answers to very personnal questions onTed. Then, it may not be always easy to keep the right distance.... You understand what I mean?
  
  Also, personally, I do appreciate when people say in a conversation:
  "in my opinion", "i think", " I believe", "I imagine".... A specially when it comes to religion, people tend to make unproved statement as if that was the Truth. No, it is their Truth.
  
  Now, I am not even sure I should be answering your question here, because it would probably be worth starting a new conversation on the subject! Still, I would appreciate hearing your perspective now.
Lee Miller 10+
- +1
Feb 28 2012: Simple answer: I'm an INTJ. I find TED topics far more interesting than sports scores or celebrity gossip. Of course I have opinions and hope to influence people, but one never knows to what degree that actually happens.
- Manue M 10+
  - 0
  Feb 29 2012: Agreed, but even thus I am not really interested in sports scores, I do think sports should balance hours of TED surfing!!
William R
- +2
Feb 28 2012: Because you're a product of your environment and TED is a pretty great environment!
- Manue M 10+
  - 0
  Feb 29 2012: Well resumed!
- chad manderscheid 10+
  - +1
  Mar 5 2012: Brent I would add that there is a feedback loop in which our attraction to specific environments then affects us, this is a subtle mechanism that I choose to call free will. Some might say that I had no choice, that's their choice to believe, which I think came about through their nuanced reactions to their chosen environments, however unconscious. The egg's attitude affects what kind of alpha rooster or dumb cluck will emerge.
Giuseppe Conte
- +1
Feb 28 2012: opens up my thinking and creativity. It's an incredible resource to find out about the most original thinking on any topic.
Aaron Nielsen
- +1
Feb 28 2012: I just read some of the responses to this question, and even *that* was an edifying experience. Another thing that is great about the TED community is that despite our diversity, there's one important commonality between us: we all tend to think about the 'big picture', so to speak. A lot of people on this site seem to be optimistic about both the prospect of the world changing for the better and their ability to help bring that change about, by making whatever contribution to that cause that they can. Even just by listening to the talks, we are helping in a way because the more knowledgeable we are, the more tolerant and understanding we will be.

It's that whole atmosphere of exuberance and optimism that is the most unique thing about this site; I hope it continues to grow.
Aaron Nielsen
- +1
Feb 28 2012: TED is fun because it brings together so many people from different backgrounds and parts of the world and let's them discuss whatever issues that are on their minds. Current events, philosophical points, innovations, politics, economics, and wherever else an interesting topic is to be found is talked about on TED.

For that reason, I find it to be an amazing place to come for stimulating conversation, education, and ideas. Occasionally, I come to air my own ideas in a forum where they will actually be considered on their own merits, because most of the things I like to think about would induce nothing but blank stares if brought up at my dinner table XD

So in short, I use my voice in TED conversations because it's a place where you can have interesting conversations about anything.
Yawa Hansen-Quao 20+
- +1
TED Attendee

Feb 28 2012: These TED conversations help me learn about things outside of my professionial scope of expertise and interest. They also provide insights to what issues are most topical from varying points of views.
Pedro Aguirre
- +1
Feb 28 2012: I think it is a good way to interact with people with similar ways of thinking
edward long 100+
- +1
Feb 27 2012: I often fall prey to the illusion that I can get along quite well without the world. When I check-in to TED coversations I see just how well the world gets along without me! It is a reality check with the advantage of respect, civility and tolerance. Bravo TED crew!
L.A. Hall
- +1
Feb 27 2012: It's a way to grow, a place to expose myself to new ideas and new opinions.
Austin Benjamin
- 0
Feb 27 2012: With intend to know about others opinion/mind set . How others are looking/viewing the same situation?
- Manue M 10+
  - 0
  Feb 27 2012: Dear Austin,
  Sorry, I did not understand your question. Would you mind rephrasing please? Thank you!
Agnius Balabonas
- 0
Feb 27 2012: I think it helps me crowd source knowledge.. there are unclear areas where it's very hard find decent info on.
But here you have a lot of different, intelligent people to share their knowledge and ideas and it helps you get a better overall picture.
Sara Henderson
- +1
Feb 27 2012: I use my voice so I can share ideas with others and to also learn about others. It's always interesting to hear what other minds think. Every one is different, yet it's amazing how many people can share the same opinion. It makes you feel more connected to the world as well. I'm mainly hear to talk about yoga and how amazing it is, but I am also really interested in other opinions about anything really.
Reilus Heliodromus
- +1
Feb 25 2012: The first reason stems from two premises. The first premise: I believe that some people who post here genuinely want a respectable conjecture or opinion. The second premise: I have a commitment to excellence and education that I believe qualifies me to offer a respectable conjecture or opinion. Based on these two premises, it logically follows that I might be able to make a contribution to someone, somehow. I'll probably never know if I have made such a contribution, so I post every so often for good measure.

The second reason is that I might learn something.
Manue M 10+
- 0
Feb 25 2012: Well, it is the first time I post a question on Ted and that I can say I agree with all of what has been said so far! It is interesting to read you all! Keep on sharing! Thanks!
Spencer Ferri
- +1
Feb 25 2012: I use my voice both to spread ideas I think are worthwhile, and to learn of new ideas. TED has opened me up to the "Open Source" movement and to some wonderful scientific discoveries I probably would never had known about through my normal channels of learning.

I also use TED because of the community. I find many forums of intellectual discussion are dominated by offensive people who don't generate healthy dialogue. I don't experience this on TED - people here seem to be genuinely enthused intellectuals and I enjoy that. I enjoy being criticized by a person who doesn't call me stupid for having an opinion which differs from theirs, opening me up to the chance to refine my own opinions and generate a stronger understanding of things.
- Kusum Sharma
  - +2
  Feb 25 2012: I am using TED conversations to share knowledge. It's a really interesting platform to connect to the world at large and listen to or read people's voice and/or thoughts.
João Pinto
- +1
Feb 25 2012: I use TED conversations because I like and think it is important to share and espress our ideas.
TED conversations give us the possibility to discuss important issues with people that find those issues also interesting. That is something we don´t have chance to do everyday with people we know.
Autumn Frisco 10+
- +1
Feb 24 2012: Because like simon sinek proclaims - people on ted, believe what I believe

In the greater humanity, or that we are all the same:)
Robert Winner 50+
- +2
Feb 16 2012: All of the above. We all want to be part of the solution and never to be remembered as part of the problem. TED is not a EXCLUSIVE community it is an INCLUSIVE community. We are all seekers of information and exchange of ideas. We can through TED agree, disagree, make errors and be forgiven (which I hope I grow from). I offer my views from my life experiences which works for me and not everone else. If I can help one person it is worth while. I thank all of those who have helped me to learn, grow, and broaden my horizons.

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