TED Community » Arthur Zards

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Discovering a new idea, getting people excited about it, making something of it. Repeat.

An idea worth spreading

Bringing back the power of the "Thank You". A small thing that's easy to do, and can make an immediate change.

People for years have abused the “thank you” down to a phrase that almost an annoying requirement, a chore, a phrase that has no meaning but must be said begrudgingly.

Well, it’s time to take the “thank you’ back. And when you do, you will witness immediate transformation.

Here are the rules:

Simply say the words, “Thank You”.

You MUST say it with COMPLETE SINCERITY.

You MUST say WHY. (and it helps to explain why in some level of detail)

That’s it. Nothing else. It’s that easy.

Try this immediately with anyone, from your boss, to the receptionist, to the mailman. And pay attention to the person’s physical and mental reaction when you do this, you will really be amazed.

Talk to me about

New ideas, psychology, travel. Coolest place you've been to.

People don't know that I'm good at

I run the worlds largest and most popular (and only) sea shanty Internet radio station. I can carve a pretty mean looking Tiki totem. (update) I can now grill an authentic Argentine Picanha!

My TED Story

I have been a big TED follower for years, my daily routine is lunch at my desk with a TED talk. Learning about TEDx, In 2010 decided to run a TEDx event, not knowing what to expect.
Whoa! So far my TEDx journey has been nothing short of amazing. My TEDx experience has led me to meet the most fascinating and unique people, all with incredible stories to share.
So thank you TED for giving these people a venue to share their stories with everyone on TED and TEDx.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +1486 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A comment on Conversation: Looking to become a future TED speaker. Many questions!

  Jan 5 2012: My quick advice.
  
  1. Don’t worry “yet” on speaking at TED/TEDx. Just come up with an idea worth spreading first.
  Running my own TEDx events I have seen amazing transformations of people on stage who are not big public speakers, but have an idea that they are truly excited to share and are passionate about. They hop on stage and it’s amazing!
  
  2. Attend and/or volunteer with as many TEDx events as possible. You’ll be amazed at what creative sparks you’ll get from hanging out with TED/TEDx’ers.
  
  3. Google the TED 10 Commandments of speakers. Print it and read it everyday. A great guide of what is expected.
  
  Good luck!
  
  .
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Can a TED Conversation lead to a TED Initiative/Fellowship/Prize, etc?

  Jan 4 2012: Absolutely!
  
  I equate a TED conversation like an ingredient in a new dish. With enough proper input and care at the right time and place, anything is possible.
  
  And the first "dish" is being created right now with Lior Zoref's TED talk, built from everyone here. Let's hope its tasty!
  
  http://www.ted.com/conversations/8326/the_first_ever_crowd_sourced_t.html

• A comment on Conversation: Can we "improve" on the "Golden Rule"?

  Jan 4 2012: I used to follow this rule but its flawed. My experience (being married alone was enough) is that people don't always want to be treated like YOU like to be treated. My new rule is this:
  
  Do unto others, as they would undo to themselves.
  
  I think its a great take on the classic example and I really can't find any flaws with it.
• +3

  A comment on Conversation: For 2012, what is ONE Idea Worth Sharing with everyone in world?

  Jan 3 2012: In dealing with people, always assume good intent.

• A comment on Conversation: What are some other great conferences to attend?

  Sep 27 2011: Your local TEDx Conference!
  
  Just in case people don't know, TED grants licenses for local TEDx events, each run independently under the vision of a TED conference. www.tedx.com.
  
  You would be pleasantly surprised d at the consistently high production and speaker level of these local conferences.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What's your TED habit?

  Sep 26 2011: Lunch at my desk with a TED talk. A great mind break over the morning, and inspiration to get through the rest of the day.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Has a TED Talk ever influenced you? How?

  Feb 24 2011: The biggest bang for my buck “Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different” is my pick. A three minute talk literally changed my belief system on how I look at things. His talk is like that song you can’t stop humming in the back of your head, a constant reminder for me to look at things in a different light. Thanks Derek!

• A reply on Conversation: Is it time to change TEDs official response to the question, "Is TED elitist?"

  Feb 24 2011: Interesting viewpoint. I don't think technology is the answer to the problem of readers who see a badge as adding separatism to the organization who offering the service. I really don't think there is even a problem at all. It's my opinion (and I wish we could do conversational polling) that most people on the TED conversation boards see the true value of the conversation based on the words written by the poster, not by a badge. It’s unfortunate that some people don’t see it that way. As they say in the web, content is king!

• A reply on Conversation: Is it time to change TEDs official response to the question, "Is TED elitist?"

  Feb 17 2011: Interesting idea you have, what about just putting in "aware"?
  
  I can an see a conversation where someone is asking me, "Isn't TED elitist?". And the simple answer of "No, TED is aware.", would change the whole focus of the conversation away from a defensive position of explaining TED, to a positive shift on why TED is aware, and what the term "aware" means to TED.
  
  Yes, ultimately explaining what TED is all about in both cases would be the same content, but framed in a completely new, positive light. Just my quick 2 cents.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: To what extent has social media contributed to the spreading of the People's revolutions and call for Freedom in Tunisia & Egypt?

  Feb 11 2011: I would say it’s significant. You can use the same concepts of Chris Andersons talk the Power of YouTube to see how social media can have the same impact. Crowd, Light, Desire. Simple tweets lead to people sharing the same opinions.[crowd] The better tweets and messaging that represent the crowd get retweeted and retweeted.[light] Enough social media chatter starts building the crowd, and people take action by protesting in the streets. [desire]
  
  I can’t say obviously if this is how things happened in Egypt, but I’m pretty sure it had some impact.