TED Community » Finbarr Timbers

More About Me

I'm passionate about

I am very interested in Poltiics and Governance, and most specifically that which applies to creating optimal environments for productivity.

Talk to me about

Academics, Education, Human Stupidity, System Optimization, History, Macroeconomics, International Politics

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.30 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• A reply on Talk: Dan Cobley: What physics taught me about marketing

  Aug 9 2011: I disagree. I'd say that this is a way better example of exponential growth, i.e. x = ae^(kt). This states that what is done earlier has a bigger effect- Nike having already done marketing/shoe making for 40 years makes it much stronger than a company having done shoe making for 20 years.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: Would everyone in prosperus Countries/Nations give up one days salary if it meant feeding the poor around the globe for a month?

  Jul 11 2011: Excellent point. If it could be guaranteed that my money would go to actually help the hungry, I absolutely would give up 12 days salary to solve world hunger. But, as you have sadly pointed out, this is not the case.
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  A reply on Conversation: What is the best advice you received in your life?

  Jul 11 2011: This is great. Reading is one of the best things anyone can do for themselves.

• A comment on Conversation: What is the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?

  Jul 11 2011: I think that truly caring about your charges, and your subject, is the most important thing a teacher can do. When I have a teacher who is truly passionate about her subject, I become that much more involved. When I have a teacher who is obviously only teaching since she has been forced to, the level of quality drops off significantly.

• A reply on Conversation: Are there any Republicans, tea party members, or conservatives here?

  Jul 11 2011: I agree. I think that the question is poorly worded, and helps reinforce contemporary partisan politics. I find myself leaning towards the right too, but in Canada.
  
  As someone leaning towards the Republicans, how has the current debt limit crisis affected your view of the Republican party? Furthermore, how has the recent partisanship environment influenced your views?

• A reply on Conversation: Are there any Republicans, tea party members, or conservatives here?

  Jul 11 2011: Great point. I think that one of the main issues with the labelling is that it causes people to reject ideas out of hand, without considering their pros/cons. I'd say this is most exemplified in the current Republican anti-tax standoff, but every group deals with it to a certain extent. If we could work on removing the labels and causing people to focus on ideas, the benefits to society would be huge. However, due to the current electoral system, this is nigh-impossible to accomplish.