TED Community » William Wilson

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• A comment on Talk: Bryan Stevenson: We need to talk about an injustice

  Mar 7 2012: Tify, please consider that Mr. Stevenson made the reference to apartheid not to compare what went on in your country to what went on here or to say that our situation was equal or worse. I might have used the same word because that word--apartheid--is a powerful word that conveys a sense of injustice and simple wrongness in describing a society where race is what makes a difference in how one is treated. The word apartheid makes the injustice to African Americans in this country understandable in a way that other words can't. Give Mr. Stevenson the benefit of the doubt. His message has a place in your country and mine and we shouldn't ignore it because of one word.
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  A comment on Conversation: Celebrating and Inspiring Curiosity as a Key Component in Learning

  Feb 19 2011: I may be wrong, but it seems that those of us who are curious can easily understand the benefits of that characteristic. But I think it may be hard for us to explain those benefits to others who are not curious. Raving about how much we enjoy learning about this or that might ring true with some people, but those who are not curious may just look at us like we are speaking Klingon.
  
  As the parent of a nineteen-month-old little boy, I can tell you I want to do everything possible to foster his curiosity. There is the instinct to intervene when I see his curiosity leading to something where he might be hurt a little bit. I've tried, though, to not intervene and to observe and stand by. In most instances, he doesn't get hurt.
  
  If he does bonk his head a bit or skin a knee, I have to remember that it is part of the learning process. Eliminating his sense of curiosity about the world would be a huge price to pay for the satisfaction of keeping him always from even the smallest harm.

• A reply on Conversation: What's the best hidden gem in the TED archive?

  Feb 19 2011: Majora Carter's presentation is still one of my favorites. The passion she displayed is infectious. I refer people to it often.

• A comment on Talk: David Cameron: The next age of government

  Feb 21 2010: The comments here are almost as thought-provoking as the talk itself. I do not consider myself a conservative by any typical measure, but Cameron's talk presents some challenges to the conventional wisdom. I'm not sure that his thought process is complete as we don't know what will be "next," but I cannot dismiss his ideas easily. Nor would I necessarily want to.
  
  This is what I love about TED. Not only do I feel like I'm feeding my brain, but I'm being asked to think through things instead of jumping to quick conclusions.
• +3

  A reply on Talk: Gordon Brown: Wiring a web for global good

  Jul 24 2009: Laura hits the nail on the head. Reading many of the comments, I cannot believe the number of ad hominem attacks--"Gordon Brown says it, he's a [insert label here] therefore what he says is not to be listened to." All I heard was a talk by someone who is saying "We have the ability to make change for the better throughout the world." Nothing more.
  
  For the record, I live in the US, so I am not a Labour Party plant. :-)

• A comment on Talk: Renny Gleeson on antisocial phone tricks

  Apr 10 2009: So much said in such a short time. Pure genius.

• A comment on Talk: Sylvia Earle's TED Prize wish to protect our oceans

  Feb 20 2009: I have to say this is perhaps the most captivating TED presentation I've seen. The imagery was wonderful, and her delivery was compelling.
  
  Anyone know of some Google Earth files that show the bits of Google Earth in her presentation?
  
  Edited to add: I found this one. http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/02/deep-dive-into-ocean-in-google-earth.html

• A comment on Talk: Benjamin Wallace: The price of happiness

  Dec 23 2008: I enjoyed a glass of Chateau d'Yquem once. It was quite nice, but the very best Sauternes I've had. No, probably not. The far less expensive Chateau Malle I had was much more enjoyable.

• A comment on Talk: Negroponte takes OLPC to Colombia

  Dec 22 2008: Standing ovation here! I want to support this program.
• +1

  A comment on Talk: Steve Jurvetson on model rocketry

  Mar 14 2008: Holy cow...that was amazing.