TED Community » Mitch Harrison

More About Me

I'm passionate about

I am passionate about music, knowledge, culture, and spreading the growth of all of these to everywhere in the world.

An idea worth spreading

As a senior in high school, I am passionate about the educational system. This may be because I'm forced to suffer through it. Modern education doesn't want my skill set. I am a musician. I give it every fiber of my existence to it. It quite literally saved my life, getting me out of my battle with depression, and getting me out of it a winner. I love learning. I love knowledge. Unfortunately for me, I have studied the world and it's workings, so I pursue useful knowledge that will genuinely benefit myself as well as my society. To me, happiness is greater than economic growth. Mathematics and sciences are important, yes, and a lot of people love them. They're not for me. Of course, that makes me a failure and a "waste of potential". I want to learn in a real world environment. I want my voice heard. I want an educational revolution that will spark a cultural one.

Talk to me about

Talk to me about anything on your mind. I am very eager to hear different stories and opinions. You have my word that I will be the pinacle of civil towards you.

People don't know that I'm good at

I try my best to use my abilities publicly. Not to "show off", but to rather open peoples' minds or benefit them in some way. Though my abilities aren't secret, I do like to think I have some.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +2.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Talk: Pamelia Kurstin plays the theremin

  May 28 2012: What a sound! And did anyone catch that piano player?! Both incredible musicians.

• A comment on Talk: Bobby McFerrin plays... the audience!

  May 27 2012: Wow. Just incredible.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Should distance play a role in relationships?

  May 27 2012: Hey Lauren.
  
  In my opinion, distance shouldn't be allowed a role. There are so many advances in communications, that the world is getting smaller and smaller. Especially concerning matters of the heart, when nothing should be in your way, a few hundred miles matters not. Keep trusting the person and loving the person. You two will be just fine. He's a lucky man, to have a woman concerned enough to ask this publicly.
  
  Good luck in your journeys.
• +2

  A reply on Conversation: I need a TED icebreaker video! How do I get someone hooked?

  May 27 2012: I absolutely have! My personal favorite music-related talk is "Benjamin Zander on music and passion". Check it out, if you haven't yet. Cheers.

• A comment on Conversation: How do you know you have found your passion?

  May 27 2012: Scott,
  
  
  I'm only 18 years old, so you can take my input with a grain of salt.
  
  Music is my passion. My father is a musician. My grandfather is a musician. Past there, I've not a clue. One day, I realized that music is what I live for. I asked myself "I hear all these people talking about passion, but what is mine?" I thought of what I do every day, what I study when I'm on my own, what I think about when I wake up. I even thought about what I think about the most! It all came down to this:
  
  When you go to bed thinking about something every night, and wake up thinking about it. When you go home, and look for new ways to pursue it. When you start daydreaming about it throughout your day. Even when it gets you through some sort of turmoil. That "something" is going to be a passion someday, if not now.
  
  I struggled with an addiction to self-harm (sob story, I know). But music came through for me where friends, family, even therapists couldn't. It saved my life, and now I dedicate my life to it. Find something that you think is worth dedicating your life to, and something you will be able to do forever. That, I believe, will be your passion.
  
  
  
  Good luck on your journey, and keep TED (and me) updated!

• A reply on Conversation: What should I really do with my youth? I'm 18, and I want to really learn. Advice from any adults out there?

  May 27 2012: Sumyyah,
  
  Thank you for the website recommendation! I made an account using your code.
  
  Best wishes to you as well.

• A comment on Conversation: What should I really do with my youth? I'm 18, and I want to really learn. Advice from any adults out there?

  May 24 2012: Robert, thank you, I will! I check TED multiple times a day to check on my conversations. Better to start getting opinions now, I suppose. Thanks to all that have responded so far. I've read and thought about all of your comments.

• A comment on Conversation: Children's schools should have an "Imagination" period

  May 21 2012: You're so right! Creativity will spark new ideas in every topic, even analytical ones. Check out the debate that I posted. I would love to hear your opinion. Thank you for sharing this idea with us.

• A comment on Conversation: Are the arts (music, dance, visual art, etc.) as important to teach in public schools as mathematics and sciences?

  May 21 2012: Wow. This is the first debate that I've ever posted and I'm shocked at the responses. Thank you so much everyone! Keep the responses coming.
• +3

  A comment on Conversation: Has anyone else been affected by the TED virus?

  May 20 2012: I am only 18, but keeping up with TED talks has really changed my life. I had myself convinced that I was falling behind and never catching up. TED tought me how I learn, and opened my mind to countless thoughts. I've shared videos with my teachers, friends, and social networking sites. I even got my girlfriend completely addicted as well. TED improved my understanding on a lot of topics that I didn't know existed, as well as tought me to be civil in debates and conversations. What a site. I am 110% addicted to TED!