Humor – particularly the ability to laugh at one’s own faults, foibles and circumstances – combined with determination is a powerful combination. I found this TED Talk amazing because comedian, actor, writer, philanthropist, and advocate Maysoon Zayid is just that: this unstoppable force of humor and determination. I won’t say much more, because I don’t want to spoil your fun. But I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy — and inspired by — her 14 minutes of candor, humor, and unquenchable spirit. Note: If you are receiving this post by email, you may need to click the title at the top of the post to watch the...

As you well know, I love TED Talks. I appreciate how they introduce me to new ideas and persons, and I value how they inspire me to think differently and to aspire to change…my ideas, my world, myself. All of this helps explain why I was so intrigued by this searing critique of TED Talks in a, well, TED Talk given by Benjamin Bratton, Associate Professor of Visual Arts at the University of California, San Diego. The core of his many concerns about TED Talks is their profound over-simplication of complex problems and potential solutions to those problems. He’s not against popularization, per se, but rather creating a false sense of...

It’s not to much to say that David Steindl-Rast is the ambassador of gratitude. The Benedictine monk is known worldwide for his teaching of practices of gratitude. “Practices” may actually make it sound more difficult or complex that it needs to be, however, as Brother David’s counsel in this TED Talk is really rather simple. Reminding us of the three instructions we were given as children when approaching a street corner, he tells us to “Stop, look, and go.” Stop – slow down, take a break, pause long enough to take a breath. Look – notice and pay attention to just how many things are given to us freely and without...

What kind of Christmas do you think it will be in the Philippines this year? In cities like Tacloban that were so devastated by typhoon Haiyan? It always amazes me just how strong is our initial gut reaction to places like Tacloban as our hearts go out to the folks affected by natural disaster, and we’re eager to help, and the news is dominated by stories of those affected…and then how quickly the news cycle fades and our attention shifts. Haiyan hit one month ago, and already we only hear bits and pieces of the story of the folks who are still – will be still for years to come – struggling to reclaim their lives and rebuild their...

This TED Talk, by 15 year-old Dong Woo Jang, brings together several elements of recent posts and favorite topics of mine: Grit – the ability to persevere through adversity to pursue a goal. Making things – taking pride in the time it takes to craft something, whether a violin, coffin, or guitar. Creativity – in this case, taking ordinary objects and seeing in them the potential for something else in the hope that it will inspire and touch others. So here’s the backstory: Jang was bored. And since he wasn’t allowed to play video games, he entertained himself by seeking out fallen tree branches from which he intended to make bows....