TED Community » Robert Tulip

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About Me

I have worked for AusAID, the Australian Agency for International Development, since 1989, mainly on Papua New Guinea, and most recently in the new Mining for Development Program. I have a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree and a Master of Arts Honours Degree from Macquarie University, both majoring in philosophy. My Masters thesis on The Place of Ethics in Heidegger's Ontology is available on my website. I also have a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash and ANU. I have invented methods for large scale production of algae at sea using floating plastic structures, as shown at my website, and am interested to explore the practical feasibility of these ideas. I have a strong interest in astronomy as it relates to theology, with a scientific focus on how ancient thought used observation of the stars as the basis of mythology, especially in the formation of the myth of Jesus Christ. I discuss these ideas at the Free Thought Nation website, where I am a moderator. I play piano, classical guitar and recorder, and sing, and have written a number of original songs. I play piano once a month at a traditional Uniting Church worship service. I am a constant reader, and lead discussions on great books at Booktalk.org.

Location:: Australia, Canberra, Act
Current organization:: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)
Current role:: Program Manager, Mining for Development
Gender:: Male
Areas of expertise:: Astrotheology, Philosophy, Algae Biofuel, International Development

Languages:: English
My website links:: Booktalk, Robert Tulip Home Page, Free Thought Nation
Universities:: Macquarie University - Sydney, Monash University, Australian National University

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Ocean based Algae Biofuel systems to reverse global warming, scientific analysis of Christian mythology, my music, my son and daughter.

An idea worth spreading

Plastic sheets placed just below the ocean surface can cool the sea, grow algae and fish, and provide a simple, rapid, economic, scaleable and safe method to reverse global warming.

Talk to me about

Algae Biofuel, Atheism and Christianity, the scientific basis of the Age of Aquarius

People don't know that I'm good at

writing songs, playing guitar and singing

My TED Story

I am a futuristic visionary. Although my ideas are unusual, they make good sense, and I love nothing more than being challenged by people who do not understand things that I say, so that I can explain new ideas. I am utterly scientific in my attitudes, seeing evidence based policy as the highest good. This attitude has led me to some very innovative areas of thought, in my linkage of the seemingly disparate topics of strategies to address global warming and understanding the real nature of religion. I take the view that human survival on earth requires a cultural transformation, addressing basic issues in the nature of religion, integrating faith and reason to build innovative humanitarian knowledge as the basis for a new age of global human civilization.