Jul 4 2012: Leymah's book "Mighty Be Our Powers" is a beautiful description of inadequacy, failure, resilience and the value of getting up day after day with hope in tomorrow. Though Leymah didn't focus on herself in this talk, her story is absolutely worth hearing. The last part about her success as a peace organizer are valuable, but what really resonates is the journey - hers is the story of just another woman, a refugee, a victim until finally she wasn't.
Hers might be the story of a driven, powerful woman, but its not just woman to whom it has value. Its important to understand that her emphasis on the importance of empowering women does not come at the expense of empowering men. I am empowered by her.
Jul 4 2012: "Of course there is a gay agenda: the gay agenda is for acceptance of homosexuality as normal by the mainstream [despite wide opposition]..."
I see nothing wrong with your analysis above. While I think the concept of a unified gay agenda is a stretch, "acceptance" is absolutely a common goal among LGBTQ and equal rights activists. What bamboozles me is why that isn't understandable, admirable and just.
Mar 31 2011: Expanding off your question of what makes art "good", I wonder at what point art emerges from its medium of expression. Is it defined with the craft, the greatness with which the art was created, or is it through its interpretation. Did Monet's landscapes become art the moment that he masterfully created a reflection of a tree on a pond, or the moment that somebody saw his work across a room and it reminded them of their favorite tree when they were a kid.
I believe that while there are certainly important techniques that artists use to express their ideas in a beautiful way, their work's true beauty lies in the emotion(s) they evoke in an onlooker. Really I am saying a very similar message to what you just said Juliana, but I think there is a lot of value in exploring the same concept from two different perspectives, both valuable.
To me, there is of truth in Sarah's words, and no normative perspective on how art should be expressed can contradict that.
Mar 31 2011: Absolutely not, and I don't think comments like this have any place on TED. Disagree with her view points or the substance of her work, but do not call into question why she is there. This isn't a forum for thoughtless, petty, terse comments which are neither intended on being intellectually engaging, nor insightful.
I disagree that it is patronizing, I would argue it is actually very humanizing and acknowledges a depth and complexity in children and in people which is much too abstract for the vast majority of us to express. I am curious, however, about your perspective that this talk is "an insult to poets" and "patronising" if you would care to share.
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A reply on Talk: Alanna Shaikh: How I'm preparing to get Alzheimer's
A comment on Talk: Leymah Gbowee: Unlock the intelligence, passion, greatness of girls
Hers might be the story of a driven, powerful woman, but its not just woman to whom it has value. Its important to understand that her emphasis on the importance of empowering women does not come at the expense of empowering men. I am empowered by her.
A reply on Conversation: Debating Equal Rights for GLBT Americans
I see nothing wrong with your analysis above. While I think the concept of a unified gay agenda is a stretch, "acceptance" is absolutely a common goal among LGBTQ and equal rights activists. What bamboozles me is why that isn't understandable, admirable and just.
A reply on Conversation: In ten words or less, what is a question no one (yet) knows the answer to?
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-502223_162-57327392/2nd-test-affirms-faster-than-light-particles/
A reply on Talk: Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter ...
I believe that while there are certainly important techniques that artists use to express their ideas in a beautiful way, their work's true beauty lies in the emotion(s) they evoke in an onlooker. Really I am saying a very similar message to what you just said Juliana, but I think there is a lot of value in exploring the same concept from two different perspectives, both valuable.
To me, there is of truth in Sarah's words, and no normative perspective on how art should be expressed can contradict that.
A reply on Talk: Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter ...
I disagree that it is patronizing, I would argue it is actually very humanizing and acknowledges a depth and complexity in children and in people which is much too abstract for the vast majority of us to express. I am curious, however, about your perspective that this talk is "an insult to poets" and "patronising" if you would care to share.