TED Community » Sheila Guinn-Peters

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• A comment on Conversation: Do you believe that social media has influenced the credibility of our words?

  Feb 2 2013: I am not certain that it is the social media that causes a loss of credibility but those that abuse the tool. Stories of people who have posted lies about serious medical issues or being involved in natural disasters in order to garner sympathy and donations are detrimental to those stories that are based in fact. People get tired of being burned and become skeptical of all stories.
  
  We live in an age of doubt. Historical events once accepted as fact are now being questioned such as the Holocaust and man landing on the moon. There are groups that post their skepticism on current news stories such as school shootings in America.
  
  It is becoming more and more difficult to determine what is truth and what is fiction even in this age of information.
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  A comment on Conversation: What are we to do with "Comment Trolls" here at TED?

  Jan 20 2013: Great article! The resulting conversation is awesome, too. The manner in which people have discussed how to react (or ignore) to trolls rather than "fix" the trolls is delightful.
  
  I think my favorite line from the articles is: "In other words, it appeared that pushing people's emotional buttons, through derogatory comments, made them double down on their preexisting beliefs." It seems the troll method of attempting to bully others to believe similarly simply because the troll believes is counter-productive.
  
  One of my favorite professors said "Beware the ipse dixit." Now there is research that reinforces the quote!!

• A comment on Conversation: If you could correct one mistake you made in life, which would it be?

  Jan 18 2013: I would have risked more, tried more new things, approached things I thought were unapproachable. I missed many things for fear of making a mistake. Now that I am older, I see that making a mistake should have been the least of my worries.

• A comment on Conversation: What is your favorite quote, and why?

  Jan 11 2013: A positive attitude won't solve any problem but will make solving any problem a more positive experience.
  
  Life is filled with adversity. It is not the obstacle that defeats us but how we approach obstacles that make us grow.
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  A comment on Conversation: Have you realized your potential?

  Jan 6 2013: I hope not! Based on average life expectancy, I have approximately 25 years left. The thought of not growing during that time is depressing.