TED Community » Nate Buwalda

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Challenging my own ideologies and others to create a more inclusive planet for all creatures large and small.

Talk to me about

There is nothing you can learn that is useless.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +20.70 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Conversation: We've seen the global warming evidence, should we wait for policy makers and the corporate world to change the way in which they operate?

  Jun 24 2011: That is assuming all countries are diligently working towards their reduction goals which some countries (Canada) simply aren't.
  
  I suppose I am looking for of local level, or grass roots ideas.

• A reply on Conversation: We've seen the global warming evidence, should we wait for policy makers and the corporate world to change the way in which they operate?

  Jun 23 2011: Call me a dreamer! What I am searching for ways to actively engage the people around me. I don't want a pearl harbor type event to change the peoples mentalities, to light the fire necessary under politicians rear ends... but I see much more apathy than I do cause for change. Whether the tipping point is here or not, most would agree it's on our horizon.
  
  I am steadily confused by peoples choices, or fear of actively changing our lifestyles, would it not be in all of our best interests to think more than 10 or 15 years down the road, I don't know about you guys but I am still planning on being around!
  
  If the doom and gloom predictions of global warming are bang on, when shit hits the fan, can you sincerely look into the eyes of the ones you love most and say “I did as much as I could?”
• +3

  A reply on Conversation: Is being Rich Good?

  Jun 23 2011: What a great question!
  
  For me, It's highly based on experiences, learning about cultures far from my own, seeing the world in my own backyard (so often, it's right there yet I am so unfamiliar with it).
  
  Two things come to mind:
  
  When I was 16 I wanted to cycle around Europe solo. I had the money and amazingly parents that were ok with the idea (which, still boggles my mind). One day I was speaking to the only homeless man from my small town, outside the grocery store I worked at. He was an elderly man that I knew had lived a hard life but he had been all over the world as a sailor in WW2 and laborer there after, he absolutely fascinated me.
  
  In years that we had been friends he had never given me any advice so when I told him about my planned tripped that was still in it's infancy (more an idea that I whispered than open talked about) he looked me square in the eyes, in way that was filled with a life's worth of wisdom and said "Before you go out and see the world, find out what is in your backyard first. You'll never appreciate what you see until you know where you come from". I changed my plans, I cycled Canada instead and never regretted it.
  
  Today the way I achieve richness on a more daily basis is through creation, through art, photography, making videos, documentaries (again a plan in the whispering stage) through carving, writing, reading, sharing ideas and engaging people in ways that are new to them or conversely new to me.
  
  I believe there is no wrong way to attain richness, I feel as if it is as personalized as we as individuals are.
• +2

  A comment on Conversation: Is being Rich Good?

  Jun 23 2011: For me riches are not the series of numbers associated with my back account, or the salary I earn. Riches are the people I am surrounded by and the experiences that we share. I would rather be penniless and be surrounded by vibrant culture than fixating on the newest tech gadget or vehicle.
  
  Wealth is relative, some may place no value on a strong community, a sense of purpose or even the ability to freely express ourselves, for me however I feel a person with al of this is very rich indeed.
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What is your favourite single sentence from a TED Talk?

  Jun 23 2011: Beyond the age of information is the age of choices.
  
  - Charles Eames
• +1

  A reply on Talk: Wade Davis: Dreams from endangered cultures

  Apr 27 2010: Darren, I was fully for education as the solution once. You must understand that the best intentions to educate and help cultures adapt to a rapidly changing world assumes that the culture want or sees the needs to change. Furthermore, it assumes that the dominant ideologies are viewed as more right.
  
  There is a terrible pressure put on these cultures to adapt and by doing so put unimaginable strain on beliefs systems and worldviews that are in some cases millennia old. In most cases these changes need to happen with a lifetime.
  
  I would focus educating dominant society of their impact through forced and rapid acculturation of these cultures at risk.
• +1

  A reply on Talk: Wade Davis: Dreams from endangered cultures

  Apr 27 2010: Laurie the beautiful thing about culture is that no matter where you are in the world, there is a plethora of diverse cultures around you, go out and learn, speak to people, find out what it is to them that makes the world turn, learn a language.
  
  People tend to think that you have to hike into a remote forest on the opposite side of the globe to find cultures at risk, I assure you there are a few at risk close to you. Cultural assimilation is a global problem.
• +1

  A reply on Talk: Daniel Kahneman: The riddle of experience vs. memory

  Mar 14 2010: You could label it as energy, I would agree more with alignment of perspectives, verbiage, lol. The smallest village is comprised of a diverse group of people (even if belief systems and values are similar) It's not often that a group all have similar perspectives that they are conscious of. Participating in meditation in this case will create parallels on a conscious level between people who might not otherwise have any.
  
  I would like to think that people align themselves with a diverse group of cognitive foundations for self improvement. I feel we often align with people that are more similar to avoid changing (granted, this is all done subconsciously).
  
  The more we become aware of our beliefs, how we interpret and aim to reflect them, the more likely we will actively seek out people who reflect what we aspire to reflect, as opposed to was is easiest for us. Because we are actively searching it's done on a conscious level.
  Can you compare the two? Conscious vs subconscious?
• +1

  A reply on Talk: A.J. Jacobs: My year of living biblically

  Mar 12 2010: Anthony, your interpretation of logic is completely relative, as is everyones.
  
  If you think someone is wrong, but they truly value that belief, do you HAVE to tell them? or do you feel nclined too? I am all for open discussion between different perspectives on life and belief systems. If done respectfully it can bridge gaps and divisions that I feel are not necessary.
  
  I don't believe one is no more right than any other for the reason I said before, it is relative to the individual, his or her experiences, social conditions and choice.
  
  I find conversations about belief systems especially tricky, because my views are fairly neutral and inclusive, not for or opposed to anything, I feel I have to walk a fine line.
  
  I have found I have shied away from commenting on spiritual or atheist styled talks lately.
• +2

  A comment on Talk: Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds

  Mar 12 2010: Temple might be coming to my school to speak! I am so excited!