TED Community » Justin Chong

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.40 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Conversation: Were we left with no choice, when choosing religion?

  May 21 2011: Show me the monkeyman then. I'm being serious too, if evolution is nature's way of adapting and becoming better and we supposedly derived from monkeys and other primates; why do monkeys still exist then?

• A comment on Conversation: Human Teleportation - Is it possible?

  May 20 2011: invent me something that can text smells or tastes through phones or other communication and i'll think it's possible.

• A comment on Conversation: Were we left with no choice, when choosing religion?

  May 20 2011: Religion is a belief of a higher power. It's a belief, a right that people are entitled to. What's wrong with people, as I myself do, believing in a Heaven and a Hell? It gives meaning to life and gives some people a reason to live justly. What fun is it looking at Death as the complete ending of your existence (not talking scientifically into fertilizer and stuff).

• A reply on Conversation: Should reconciliation be mandated in countries with genocidal activity?

  May 18 2011: it's not about mandating love, it's human rights. A universal God given right to co-exist. For someone to take it forcefully and with malice, is grounds for ultimate condemnation. However, the military as well as subordinates for the rulers that were ruling during the times, were merely following orders. If you put yourself in their shoes, it was either obey orders or be killed. I say try the leaders and preserve the country in order to cultivate a better future for all the nations of the world.

• A comment on Conversation: How to bring peace in the world???

  May 18 2011: The way would be our youth and young adult population of today. If it were possible, this is how it would be done and it's quite simple. Worldwide teachings of our children from infant ages of today and don't let them ever lose their "inner child". Cultivate and grow it into the next generation of peace and prosperity. That's how you'd achieve it I think.
• +3

  A comment on Conversation: Are you happy with your life?

  May 16 2011: I am happy fully and content. I recently got out of the Marines and I must say, after 4 years of somebody breathing down your neck and having to listen to individuals that don't have the brain capacity of a lady bug just because they have rank superiority, it is a relief to be back in normal society. I was not exactly a model kid growing up and was quite a mischievous individual. I have a positive outlook on life now and the possibilities seem limitless. I am happy as well as excited as to what my life has in store for me. I get a second chance at college and I am just full of confidence. I regret a lot of things that I have done in my life but truly I have no ties down with anyone or anything anymore. I am completely independent and full of life.

• A comment on Conversation: Passing Judgement to others? .. How often do we do this?

  May 12 2011: I do, or did pass judgement, or jump to conclusions quite frequently and in the past year or so have just finally realized this. Most of my inferences were hardly accurate as I would habitually fabricate what I would guess their personality and general actions would be like based on outward appearance alone. An example of this was that under my silly presumptions, although subconsciously, I acted as if prettier girls were smarter and thus I used to get nervous around them.
  
  After some long, tough roads in my life, several encounters with Karma, and countless wake up calls by common sense, I have come to realization that every single person on this earth has their own individuality and right to express themselves however it is they please to do so. We have no reason/right to criticize anyone out of scorn because really we're hating ourselves by doing so. "Jealousy is the devil's greed" is a quote that I read somewhere and like very much. It makes perfect sense. By judging others negatively, we are either a) trying to make ourselves feel better or superior, b) comparing ourselves to that individual because we don't believe that we measure up to them.
  
  In terms of judgement, or just basic opinions of certain matters, I don't feel that they are necessarily bad as long as they aren't based on emotions. Emotions make people make irrational decisions because they act according to how they feel rather than logic. If judging something based on facts, references, and other involvements, put your 2 cents whenever you feel it necessary.
  
  I judge a lot of things in my life only because I have a strong voice and I am not afraid to voice my opinions about a matter. I have firm beliefs and morals and if they are questioned in anyway, I will be quick to judge. Especially if I feel someone is being disrespectful, I will be quite quick to fire smartass comments without thinking of the consequences.

• A comment on Conversation: Is all knowledge useful and necessary?

  May 5 2011: The most useful and necessary information is taught to oneself through real life experiences by oneself. I believe classes generally teach abilities. I.e. Journalism teaches and introduces new ways to do research. I say that the knowledge that you really need to retain is the stuff that you deem is necessary. Honestly who is a better judge than you of what is useful or necessary? If it applies to your career or interests, then learn and study it. If not, learn the habits associated with the class.

• A comment on Conversation: Should we ask kids to help us solving the real world problems? And if yes, how?

  May 5 2011: I agree to a certain extent with your philosophy. I might add another point too. Kids at an early age are also pure, innocent and they know somehow right from wrong. They would come up with the simplest form of an answer that makes complete sense to them which is through the eyes of something that doesn't know deceit yet. We could use they're creative answers in certain cases to formulate a plan which goes into much further detail.

• A comment on Conversation: What can we do, as citizens to promote tolerance in our daily lives ?

  May 5 2011: All these things you have mentioned are violations of Human Rights. Laws that govern every single human on this earth. Every person has these rights as though every person is created equal. It comes down to a matter of principle and how strongly you believe in these principles. If you are one that is quick to anger and has strong principles, I'd imagine you'd be a UFC Fighter or a street brawler by now. So now you can look into how people are raised, developed and how they perceive principles while treating others a certain way. It's all in the skull and how people react to certain circumstances.
  As for myself, I am a man of principle and have a quick and sharp tongue which I can use ruthlessly if provoked. I tend to make smartass comments to people subtly and such if needed to, but if something hits a nerve, I adapt a "don't give a SH**" attitude and carry on as I please. These moments usually occur when I feel that I am being without a doubt disrespected. This includes but is not limited to racism, belittling, or putting myself/friends/family in danger. This is not saying that I am proud of this, as I am trying to correct this now.