TED Community » Jesse Wursten

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Photography

Talk to me about

Anything, there are very few things in this world that do not interest me (apart maybe from royalty news...)

My TED Story

While still in High School, a friend sent me a TED video. I watched it, went to the next vid and ended up spending hours on TED. Now, I often share TED vids on Facebook for friends and with my mother through e-mail. In my opinion, the great thing about TED is that it allows anyone to stay somewhat up-to-date with the latest developments, without requiring extensive study or even large amounts of time. This is especially relevant to me, because I no longer get any "real" science since going to uni and TED is my way of filling that gap.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +4.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Talk: Pamela Meyer: How to spot a liar

  Oct 14 2011: I find it disturbing that TED has turned into a marketing tool instead of being about sharing information. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the book (though most of the things she says are based on sham studies or just made up), but think about what you're supporting.
• +3

  A comment on Talk: Josette Sheeran: Ending hunger now

  Jul 28 2011: "Why do they breed so much?"
  
  Paradoxally, mostly because they have to if they want to survive. In Sub-saharan Africa, there's no social security system whatsoever to speak off. That means if you can't provide for yourself, you need someone who will. The state can't/won't, the institutions can't (she references mosques and churches, the typical almsbearers), therefore you only have your family to rely on. While with illness you could try to rely on your siblings/parents, you don't have that "luxury" when you're old. Then you need children to support you and the more the better (a typical commons dilemma - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tragedy_of_the_Commons).
  
  The 2nd cause has been often stated in comments already - family planning (and, deeply entwined, male dominance).

• A reply on Talk: William Ury: The walk from "no" to "yes"

  Dec 4 2010: And you do not believe it is possible Ali ibn Abu Talib did not himself come up with the story? I'm not saying he didn't, just in my experience it's usually not the person who was first recorded telling a story that actually invented it.
  
  That said, I'm glad Ali ibn Abu Talib said it, because else we probably wouldn't have known it.

• A reply on Talk: Lisa Margonelli: The political chemistry of oil

  Aug 27 2010: While I normally defend politically correct agendas, in this case I agree with you. I really couldn't find myself in the "High oil prices are a result of a conspiracy", "I don't want to tank gas" and all the other generalised opinions she threw around.

• A reply on Talk: Seth Priebatsch: The game layer on top of the world

  Aug 26 2010: Well, it does depend on what you consider a balanced life. I'm assuming it means a life wherein you sleep enough, go to work/school, entertain yourself, keep in shape (aka, hygiene, eating, exercising, etc) and have a social life.
  
  If that's the case, then yes, I'd say it's possible. I can only take myself as example: I go to school 7 hours a day, sleep 8 hours, add another 2 hours for staying in shape and you've got 17 hours out of 24. That leaves 7 for games and going out. Of course, it helps that I live with my parents and don't have to do many chores.
  
  I'd even say that "gamers" have more of a social life than those that watch tv 6 hours a day. The stereotype of the fat, lonely nerd is no longer true. Most "gamers" are normal people that go out, have parties, girlfriends, dates, etc... but above that, they keep in touch with their friends even when they no longer see each other (job change, moved to different town, etc) because they communicate while gaming.

• A reply on Talk: Seth Priebatsch: The game layer on top of the world

  Aug 20 2010: Yes, you can.

• A reply on Talk: Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue

  Jul 8 2010: The convenience factor is really important. Who still has time nowadays to cook a decent meal? Much easier and cheaper to visit the pizzeria, MCDonalds, ...

• A reply on Talk: Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue

  Jul 8 2010: More precisely, they need a decent social structure, that eliminates the NEED for lots of children. When those people in poor countries grow old, they need lots of children to support them. They're not getting retirement money ;)

• A reply on Talk: Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue

  Jul 8 2010: I had exactly the same thoughts! IIRC, according to Rosling, Africa's food production is actually improving at a vast pace, they just have an incredibly long way to go.

• A reply on Talk: Juan Enriquez: Using biology to rethink the energy challenge

  Jan 3 2010: Use your electrical car as battery.