TED Community » Frank Rothstein

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Communicating in order to get things done. Texting is not talking.

An idea worth spreading

I believe the internet a major factor in the jobs crisis. We may need to get dirty again...more hands on.

Talk to me about

Anything. If I am familiar with the subject let's talk. If I am unfamiliar...teach me.

People don't know that I'm good at

I look forward to hearing what you think I am good at.

My TED Story

None directly but I have taken something with me from most of the "Talks" I have listened to.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.50 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: Once you have gained knowledge, is it possible to go back to that feeling of "not-knowing" the knowledge?

  Mar 17 2013: I can recall the feeling of many firsts in my life. The feeling of the first this or that, the feeling of a first love and so on. While I may be able to experience them again it will be different the next time.

• A comment on Conversation: What are the challenges that gifted and creative individuals face at present?

  Mar 17 2013: I always kid around that I am an `Idea Man.` It started as a joke but sometimes, as with many situations, we have to make something from nothing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The biggest obstace I usually encounter is getting others to listen. One thing i usually tell people is to think in 3D. So that is what leave you with, do not be afraid to try and make something from nothing and...
  
  Think in 3D.

• A comment on Conversation: What do you think you could be able to achieve if you were to use 100 % of your brain abilities?

  May 16 2012: There is no way to answer that but I think we would probably go insane. More than likely due to sensory overload.

• A comment on Conversation: What's the best choice you have made?

  May 16 2012: The best choice I ever made ??? Not sure about best but there have been a couple of good ones.
  
  1- When I realized that I may not be everyone's first choice but I will never be anyones last resort.
  2-12 or 13 years ago I promised someone that I would be her friend no matter what. I would always be there for her and never let her down or intentionally hurt her. I have always kept that promise and a year and a half ago I kept it again only this time in order to be her friend I had to hurt her in the short term.. She has a drinking problem that was getting the best of her. Without all the details let's just say I brought an escalting problem into light. I lost my friend obviously but 14 months later she is doing much better. She got the opportunity step back and make a better choice and thrive Not saying she will never drink again but what was happening will never happen again.. Losing the friendship this way was a small prce to pay because had she continued on her path I would have lost it anyway.

• A comment on Conversation: Optimism and Pessimism: The Impact of Outlook on Outcome

  May 16 2012: As the joke goes....
  
  The optimist sees the glass half full. The pessimist sees it have half empty. The opportunist drinks all there is and is never thirsty.
  
  Sometimes people think too much. What if I simply have all there is but carry a bigger glass just in case I find a little more. I am not saying we should settle for anything. As I tell my firends "Just enough sucks." However I do appreciate what I have and am prepared to make do with what is available.
  
  As for your question...Better to be a realist. You can go into a situaation hopeful and looking forward to great success but still be aware enough to know that failure is a distinct possibilty
  
  .As for blame, the old saying applies....Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. One thing is for sure, we have to be prepared to take advantage of our opportunities when they present themselves. We cannot control certain things but if we are prepared to deal with the problems as they arise we should, more often than not, be fine.
  
  Put a little money aside.
  Carry an extra pen.
  Be careful of who you call friend.
  Have some extra supplies.
  Use your people wisely.
  Etc.
  
  And you will rarely guess on the outcome...because that is what optimism and pessimism is...guessing.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What is happiness?

  Mar 1 2012: Happiness is....It is your question, only you know. Tell us what your happiness is. Remember, it can be in any shape form or size. Any person, place or thing. Anything and everything.
  
  So tell us, what is happiness ?
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What is the purpose of life? 'Getting and Spending' or 'Loving and Serving'?

  Mar 1 2012: Between the two I go with Loving and Serving.
  
  Getting and spending is a more direct option while loving and serving is a bit more vague. However if getting and spending is all someone wants to do then life may wind up a bit shallow. As for the other option, loving can mean many things but no matter what we love it is a more exciting and sometimes hazardous way to go. Then again that is where the fun is, isn't it. As for serving...if you mean serving G-d...well, I am not a religious man but that is still a better option than stocking up on things we do not need and worrying about how much we have as opposed to making the correct choices with what we have.

• A comment on Conversation: Julliet is the sun? Is there a difference between hearing language and reading it?

  Feb 17 2012: The intent was not to be controlling. Sorry if I gave you that impression. However, if you hear the words "Frankly my dear I don't give a damn" and think of anyone other than Clark Gable then you are better T this than I am.
  
  As I said before, when I am familiar with a quote,metaphor or any other referrence then it doesn't matter whether if language is spoken or written but if it is something unfamiliar then the difference can come into play.
  
  As for everyone else...people process information in their own way.

• A reply on Conversation: Julliet is the sun? Is there a difference between hearing language and reading it?

  Feb 17 2012: Colleen,
  
  I agree with you 100%. However I have to stand by my opinion. There are certain things that are set in stone. Written or spoken, and as long as you know the source of the referrence. the words " Frankly my dear I don't give a damn" should automatically bring to mind only one thing and only one person.
  
  Now...If I say or write GEORGIA, unless you know I am singing a song then it can mean anything. Not set in stone.
  
  That's how I see it. Hope we are on the same page.

• A reply on Conversation: Julliet is the sun? Is there a difference between hearing language and reading it?

  Feb 17 2012: How it work for me is this...Julliet is Julliet. As long as you know are familiar with the referrence and where it comes from then it means one thing and only one thing. If I am having a problem with that special someone and my friend talking to me says "Julliet is the sun" then he is using a solid, set in stone metaphor to convey his understanding of my situation. The same as if we used Julliet on the balcony. Spoken or written it is the same to me.
  Now there are certain phrases that people use that were coined way back when but if you are not old enough to know the meaning then varied interpretation or confusion can come into play. So if I say " To the Batpoles" or "Beam me up Scotty" , no matter what I want it to mean, an image of a person should come to mind. If you are too young or never heard of Batman or Star Trek then the original thought of this conversation comes into play.
  
  How it works for others is another thing.