TED Community » Veni Markovski

More About Me

I'm passionate about

cyber security, Internet, politics, Russia/CIS, the Balkans, photography

An idea worth spreading

0) Internet speeds in the US are too slow. We need 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) at home, at $ 15 / month. If we managed to send man to the Moon, we should be able to do that, too, right?
1) Today, more than ever, we need more cooperation between hi-tech countries and the rest of the world - to fight successfully poverty, hunger, diseases, terrorism, lack of education. The role of the United States and the European Union is crucial in these efforts, but it seems societies there do not always understand the benefit of small investment today that saves huge losses tomorrow.
2) The US is losing more than $ 100 Billion to cyber-crime, and it doesn't do enough to lower the damages. I believe I know what needs to be done, and want to spread the idea, because every and each of us suffers from such crimes.
3) create, imagine, share - Creative Commons is all about these, and I stand for them, too.
4) "Balkanization" is not bad - in music it means rhythm 7/8, which is really great

Talk to me about

politics in the USA, Europe, Russia; helping developing countries; bridging the digital divide, cyber-security

People don't know that I'm good at

... solving only tough problems - the more challenging the task is, the more I put into it.
... understanding an issue with little words.
... connecting

My TED Story

I met the most amazing people at TED 2009. No kidding. They were amazing.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +37.00 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Talk: Eric Lewis plays chaos and harmony

  May 13 2009: Without a doubt, Eric is a great pianist, and performs in a really unique way. I wonder at the people who criticize him - who are they? Pianists? Musicians? Or just people, whose opinion is more important [for them] than what Eric does? I am especially amused by people who say that he is not "new". Perhaps similar opinions existed in the XVIII century, when Mozart was writing - "the young man trying to impress beyond his abilities... too many notes"?

• A comment on Talk: Sarah Jones as a one-woman global village

  Apr 29 2009: The brilliant, smart, beautiful, awesome... is the English language so poor, or I am losing my sense of what words to use, to describe the talent of Ms. Jones? I've watched her in New York couple of years ago, and it was a great performance. At TED she made us all feel like a big family, all immigrants to the US, and all under one umbrella - the unbearable feeling that we are part of something great; her performance.
• +1

  A comment on Talk: Eric Lewis rocks the jazz world

  Apr 3 2009: Desi Sanchez,
  completely agree with you. I wrote similar stuff earlier on.

• A comment on Talk: Eric Lewis rocks the jazz world

  Mar 10 2009: Nancy (Hirsch),
  we met at the TED (I emailed you separately, check your email).
  There's no point in discussing things with people who don't like Eric's performance. There are people for every taste, and we should ignore those opinions of people, who are not thinking like we do.
  Eric is a great pianist, and his music touches the hearts in a way no other performer does. With the piano he's a great performer, and I can also confirm that behind the scene, he's a pretty normal guy, who one could talk to, while walking under the rain (with Forest Whitaker) to the hotel.
  I also heard him playing at the hotel, and it was stunning, but his performance at the TED is indeed amazing. I don't care what people have to say against him, as I would probably not care to hear what they think of me, or my opinion about Eric. I care for those who say good things about him. It is only someone who has explored in depth the musical culture of Eastern Europe, who could see in about 2:45 some of the motives one can find in the music in movies like Blue/Red/White trilogy of Krzysztof Kie%u015Blowski, or in some samples of Goran Bregovic.
  Eric Lewis has touched my heart, and I want to thank him for this.
  And those who feel he is not the best... Well, he may not be the best, but he's good enough for me, and that is what matters - because there are many critics, but not so many artists.
  
  Thank you, Eric.

• A comment on Talk: Eric Lewis rocks the jazz world

  Mar 8 2009: Eric Lewis by far is an outstanding pianist. He definitely made my day at the TED, and yes - he made me cry. His performance is brilliant, his talent - unbeatable. Eric's hands are so fast, that even the camera can not focus on them. This is music beyond understanding, and only someone without a heart could not shiver at listening to it.
  Of course, the TED contributed to my understanding, or trying to understand the music, because it is a unique experience to be surrounded by people like Regina Spektor next to you, Al Gore behind, and Cameron Diaz sitting in front, while in the audience you can see Sylvia Earle, Bill Gates or Benjamin Zander.
  
  Eric, you are a fantastic and amazing person, please keep on playing and performing, and publish your CD/DVD as soon as you can.
  
  Thank you, TED, for bringing Eric to the podium.