TED Community » Nadine Hafez

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Political science, philosophy, English literature, linguistics, sociology, psychology, education and travelling.

Talk to me about

Politics and current events, basketball, Jazz music, Classic Rock, Rat Pack, old movies, innovative ideas, and English literature.

People don't know that I'm good at

Geometric art.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +2901.50 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• +1

  A comment on Conversation: There exist objective moral truths

  Jan 2 2013: I only quickly skimmed through the responses, but I think I have a general understanding of the direction of the conversation.
  
  In my opinion, there is no full or complete objectivity on any given issue or field, ethics and morals included. I do however believe that after a contextual agreement on what counts for moral and what doesn't, a certain level of order and justice can be achieved and maintained in a largely objective manner.
  
  I actually tend to follow the classical trend of philosophy and advocate the use of evaluation in approaching political philosophy. It seems to me that sometimes the sole utilization of objectivity - as is the case in the behavioral method in political science - proves more problematic than beneficial in the implementation and maintenance of justice in the modern state of law.
  
  Thank you for bringing up the topic; I find it particularly interesting.
• +2

  A comment on Talk: Mark Forsyth: What’s a snollygoster? A short lesson in political speak

  Aug 15 2012: He used a really good anecdote to make a point about the relationship between words and politics. And for anyone who would like a deeper exploration of the subject, I recommend reading Orwell's Politics and the English Language: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/orwell46.htm
• +2

  A comment on Talk: Neil Harbisson: I listen to color

  Jul 21 2012: I think it's fascinating how he redefines "sharing experiences" when it really seems improbable. The fact of the matter is he never will see color, and we never will really understand what color feels like to him, because we already have an innate understanding of color that has been nurtured within us since birth. But the fact that he has an understanding of color that we, those who are not color blind, will never be able to understand, yet we all have an understanding of it really introduces a new pavement for our connection. I think the greatest I get out of this talk is almost a framework of conversation between those with different perspectives.
• +5

  A reply on Talk: Damon Horowitz: Philosophy in prison

  Dec 17 2011: I guess the question that begs is the limits of facts. I do hold a certain bias, but objectively speaking there are a lot of questions triggered by this talk that I simply cannot see another talk that is strictly facts-based triggering.
  
  Re TED being the platform, I think TED's been positioned so far as a conversation hub, where ideas come to meet. And the ideas in this talk beg some of the most fundamental questions asked since the beginning of the human existence; they start just as heated and diverse a conversation - if not even more so - as a facts based talk does.

• A comment on Talk: Sarah Kay: How many lives can you live?

  Dec 7 2011: It's really interesting how she combines quite a number of topics and issues worth discussing in this talk. This poem per se is not my favorite of hers. I do like though how she touches on the "art" of capturing, embracing and expressing, art being both a means and an end. She also touches on chasing answers and perfection, a little inclined towards discussing the philosophical "truth". And the idea of collecting stories is beautiful: A friend of mine was just talking about how collecting stories makes things clearer to him; and it's fascinating how she articulated the power of stories.

• A comment on Talk: Damon Horowitz: Philosophy in prison

  Nov 29 2011: It's amazing how so much can be said in such little time. Speaks to the importance of choosing your words and your focal points. Surprisingly enough, the focal point in this talk - or rather performance - was our "not knowing", something philosophers have written mountains of books about over the last millennia.
  
  Begs the question of whether something like this is a moment of clarity or just utter confusion on a public stage. Either way, it's phenomenal how to this day, with all the knowledge we have at hand, people still stand in ovation.
• +8

  A reply on Talk: Mike Matas: A next-generation digital book

  Apr 28 2011: I have to say I agree with Sergio. I don't see why this could not be considered the future of books. With new technology, and communication tools, I would honestly consider it a loss not to utilize them to redefine what a book is, how it's used and what it includes.
• +1

  A reply on Talk: Wael Ghonim: Inside the Egyptian revolution

  Mar 5 2011: HI,
  
  I'm Egyptian living in Cairo. Generally, English is spoken by the educated middle class section of the Egyptian population (e.g: Wael Ghonim, TEDxCairo organizers and the event's audience).
  I work with TEDxCairo and the reason this event was in English was because of this broadcast on TED. The prior event, speakers had the freedom to choose the language they are more comfortable with: English or Arabic. Egyptians generally tend to mix the two languages together when they speak.
• +5

  A reply on Talk: JR's TED Prize wish: Use art to turn the world inside out

  Mar 4 2011: Hi Ahmed,
  
  I live in Cairo and am interested in bringing it to live here as well. Do you have any specific ideas in mind? Please let me know, I'd love to collaborate. Thanks!
• +1

  A comment on Talk: Miwa Matreyek's glorious visions

  Oct 29 2010: Wow! I can only begin to imagine how absolutely mind blowing this must have been to watch in person. I am truly bewildered. And just imagine the number of stories that can be put forward thanks to the digital age in the most interesting and enthralling manner.