TED Community » John K. Bates

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Wine, being alive, the Internet, live performance, music, surfing, Nature, being, what's possible, meditation, my dog Flash, travel, writing, people, being awed, games, virtual worlds, communication

An idea worth spreading

Taking on light pollution for real so we can see the Milky Way again and ponder our true place in the Cosmos.

Talk to me about

Anything, Anything, Anything, Anything!

People don't know that I'm good at

Playing the guitar and singing like a rock star.

My TED Story

The one year I was set to attend as a volunteer I ended up having to speak at a conference in Europe for the company I had co-founded and my brother went instead. He had a great time. I also worked with the Live 2.0 presentation that will happen at Ted U this year and I am very excited about that unveiling! IF you read this far, ask me about the time I "collaborated" with Ben Zander!

Comments

• TEDCred score: +236.30 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• +3

  A comment on Talk: Allan Savory: How to fight desertification and reverse climate change

  Mar 4 2013: It's so interesting that I keep saying this talk was 'counter-intuiive...' I realize it's only counter-intuitive because our current intuition is so off base! I LOVE THIS! Thank you, TED and Allan. I am so stoked to watch this idea spread.
• +2

  A comment on Talk: Brené Brown: Listening to shame

  Sep 4 2012: What an amazing follow up to an amazing first talk. I was there when Brene gave this at TED and watching it now made me cry even harder than the first time. Thank you Brene, for the inspiration. I needed that. Feeling like the Man in the Arena about now.
• +2

  A comment on Talk: Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action

  Apr 4 2012: The quote that I believe is missing in the quotes section for this talk is: "He gave the 'I have a dream' speech, not the 'I have a plan' speech."
  Great!
• +1

  A comment on Talk: Brian Skerry reveals ocean's glory -- and horror

  Feb 8 2012: I think it's really important to listen to people who know what the ocean was like 30 years ago. Our baselines are constantly shifting and most people just don't hear enough about the oceans. These photos are absolutely stunning and beautiful. I wish everyone on earth would watch this talk. People need to know about the ocean and its creatures so they can care about the ocean and its creatures.
• +4

  A comment on Talk: Mike deGruy: Hooked by an octopus

  Feb 8 2012: I too am so saddened by the loss of Mike and Andrew Wight. Thank you, Mike, for doing what you love and for making the difference you continue to make for the ocean and the planet and all of us. Your passion is clear and very infectious. Thank you, Mike. I also figure that RIP means Research in Paradise when it comes to you.

• A reply on Conversation: What's the overlooked gem, the book I haven't read that I must?

  Feb 16 2011: I LOVE HTWFandIF. I think it ought to be renamed: How to Live Well Among People, but hey.

• A reply on Conversation: What's the overlooked gem, the book I haven't read that I must?

  Feb 16 2011: Seems like it's more relevant than ever, especially if you equate spice with oil. Really great books.

• A reply on Conversation: What's the overlooked gem, the book I haven't read that I must?

  Feb 16 2011: I just got this, heard it was very inspiring. Looking forward to it.

• A reply on Conversation: What's the overlooked gem, the book I haven't read that I must?

  Feb 16 2011: I love this book. Utterly beautiful. Give me goosebumps to think about it.

• A comment on Conversation: What's the overlooked gem, the book I haven't read that I must?

  Feb 16 2011: I believe that with the caveat of overlooked taken into account I'd have to nominate Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior by David Hawkins. Just get over anything he says that might tempt you to discount the message. However he got there it certainly resonates and it definitely shifted my paradigm.
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Power-vs-Force-Determinants-Behavior/dp/1561709336