Jul 23 2011: Right on. Now, I'm by no means a person who is full of positive advice, but I try to at least share my (admittedly warped) views. Can't have good without bad. In fact, and this may be a total digression from the conversation, I think that someone can't even do good in the world (and by good I mean affecting their environment and society) without having first done, or at least experience, the opposite. So maybe those days that just feel heavy and difficult, even the utterly awful times, are something we experience to allow us a full appreciation for the days that lay in the opposite end of the spectrum.
Jul 23 2011: Oh, man, I really didn't mean to make you (almost) cry. I sincerely apologize. I'm only 24, and 17 doesn't seem like that long ago, so please don't think that everyone that gets older is cynical and depressed. I mean, I am, but that's me.
But seriously, a 17 year old browsing TED? Not just browsing, but interacting with the community? Awesome. I commend you. I wish I had a resource like this when I was younger. And really, it's not just the absence of a resource, but the desire to grow and learn through a positive environment. This website and the community that surrounds it are amazing, and if you're interested in discussion and education that relates to TED, I have a feeling you'll be just fine.
Long story short, yeah, I suppose my outlook is a bit sad, but if there's something sad, there must be something beautiful waiting to be experienced.
Jul 22 2011: I would probably weep for joy at the prospect of all of my college debt being erased. Then I would pour myself a bowl of Corn Pops and watch cartoons, just like I used to when money didn't matter.
Jul 19 2011: You've never had jalapeno poppers until you've had MY jalapeno poppers. I write a bit, too, but that's nothing compared to delicious, bacon-wrapped peppers.
Jul 18 2011: I completely agree, and I AM a bit of a perfectionist, but my focus does lie in the individually creative realm, so I generally don't deal with others unless I'm collaborating. Still, I'd like to move away from my narrow focus and take the time to diversify myself, in a similar fashion to the diversity of a group of cooperating workers, so that I can express myself in a more clear and empathetic way.
Jul 16 2011: The nature of corporations is bound to have a profound effect on the continuing development of our global culture, though it may not (at this point) be the healthiest influence.
Jul 14 2011: I find that nearly all of my drive comes from looking back at things that I have created. I am fixated with it; the need to constantly be making something, anything. Nothing is ever satisfying, not completely, so I'm driven to go above and beyond the last thing I've accomplished in an effort to hit that perfect level of self-satisfaction.
Jul 13 2011: I was raised in rural Michigan and now live in Chicago, and the amount of personal change I've noticed in the three short years I've been here is astounding. I'm used to the tranquil, fresh, middle-of-nowhere lifestyle, but in this metropolis I'm forced to quicken the pace in order to be competitive in virtually every aspect of my life. It's exhausting, stressful and unhealthy, but I wouldn't deny myself the experience. I think, and this is purely my own opinion, that city life is simply not the right way to live in order to maintain a comfortable balance. That said, I also think it's important to experience the extremes of any situation before settling into a happy medium, so I'm sticking it out and learning what I will and won't take back with me when I (eventually) simplify my life. The city is a hell of place, and it's legitimately enthralling, but I can't see it as beneficial in the long-term.
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A comment on Conversation: If you woke up today and money ceased to exist, what is the first thing you would do? Why?
A reply on Conversation: If you woke up today and money ceased to exist, what is the first thing you would do? Why?
But seriously, a 17 year old browsing TED? Not just browsing, but interacting with the community? Awesome. I commend you. I wish I had a resource like this when I was younger. And really, it's not just the absence of a resource, but the desire to grow and learn through a positive environment. This website and the community that surrounds it are amazing, and if you're interested in discussion and education that relates to TED, I have a feeling you'll be just fine.
Long story short, yeah, I suppose my outlook is a bit sad, but if there's something sad, there must be something beautiful waiting to be experienced.
A comment on Conversation: If you woke up today and money ceased to exist, what is the first thing you would do? Why?
A comment on Conversation: What is your talent?
A reply on Conversation: Having passion in your work is trainable. Being deeply passionate and driven is not. How does one pursue a deep desire to be doing more?
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A comment on Conversation: Are you optimistic or pessimistic, and why?
A comment on Conversation: Having passion in your work is trainable. Being deeply passionate and driven is not. How does one pursue a deep desire to be doing more?
A comment on Conversation: What do you think are the inherent differences between someone raised in the city and someone raised in a rural area?