TED Community » musk undernotes

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Love and loving; Traveling to new and unfamiliar geographies, sampling ethnic foods and brews, Music - all forms, life.

An idea worth spreading

The greatest idea of all times is to Love God and others. Spread it.

Talk to me about

Anything and everything, Love, Affirming our relatedness despite our differences.

People don't know that I'm good at

People that know me - know. Those that do not know me do not know.

My TED Story

Ideas worth spreading ought to have useful content.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.30 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: Do you think gay marriage will be universally accepted in the next 10 years?

  Jun 11 2012: Tolerance for homosexuality/gay marriage is already here but the universal acceptance of gay marriage will require a major paradigm shift in attitude regarding the social value of the practice. Unlike race or religion, acceptance of Gay marriage will probably remain out of the mainstream for a long time to come - not because people cannot come to terms with the practice, but because they cannot find sufficient identity and empathy for the practice.
  
  Since I am not happy with the reality I just delineated above, perhaps I like to rephrase your question to What will it take for gay marriage to be accepted universally? The answer of course is a universally acceptable and useful social value - like say, population control or sustainable development or ......... anyway, you get the point.

• A comment on Conversation: Why be a good person?

  May 31 2012: Dearest Emma, First of all, it is not true that 'selfishness' reduces your own individual suffering. It may preserve your gains, but the totality of one's index of happiness and fulfillment does not come alone by what we have gained and retained. Love - the process of giving of oneself for the benefit of others - is a gift we give ourselves by directing empathy and care to others. So, whether you are motivated by altruism or selfishness, loving others is the best guarantee for assuring your own contentment and fulfillment. So there you have it. Your best guarantee for assuring your own happiness, and reducing the suffering in the World is simply to Love.
  
  If that appears insufficient, perhaps you should actually heed your name; Emma - which means 'God with us'. One of the most profound covenants in religious history is to 'love God and others'. The best means for achieving this is to simply accept the spirit of God - which is both the essence of Goodness and Love, within us. This is what some people refer to as 'Grace.' Once God (Goodness and Love) is actually within us, it becomes quite natural to be good and loving to others. So, the answer to your question of what to do? Simply affirm your name Emma; Let God be with you. Amen.
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  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 22 2012: Plan: Make a list of 10 things important for you to accomplish in life. Do not limit yourself to simple and non-challenging goals. Actually write down 10 most important things you wish to achieve. The list could include any of the ideas you have of what to be...for example, to complete college or from ideas suggested by people in your circle of influence like the two ideas above to volunteer and travel to different cultures, etc.
  
  Next, figure out a practical means of actualizing your ideas. For example, the best means of combining volunteerism and experiencing other cultures is through the peace corps program. Asia and Africa presents good opportunities for this experience. A piece of warning; when you venture away from the comforts of your cultural, sociological, philosophical, ideological or geographical confines, you may feel the sensation of losing yourself. Take heart, and remain steadfast; you will end up at the very center of your enlightened consciousness. True freedom.
  
  Finally, as you journey along, do not lose your capacity to dream - of great and innovative ideas. Your presence here at TED and your quest for advise and direction is already proof that you are special, and on your way to becoming the unique individual you were expected to be. And if you do not achieve most of the ideas on your list, do not despair. Most people I understand never get to achieve a single most important thing that mattered to them. Imagine if you could achieve just 3 or 4 things on your list!
  
  So begin with that list, and enjoy the ride. It is a truly beautiful world.
  
  I wish you well.