Being Talked At By My Computer

I've been watching TED talks for a few months now, the first being this link (sent by mum) of a talk by a professor of law and Australian Supreme Court judge who happens to be blind. Soon afterwards the station doc started monthly mini TED conventions where he would download some videos from the main website, put a few nibbles out and play them in the cinema.

It didn't take long and I was watching a few videos per day on whatever topic seemed vaguely interesting. The only problem with these talks is that if you disagree with the person or want more of an explaination or discussion, you can't because it's a speech and it's kinda difficult to have a conversation with someone who's back in time and presenting to an audiance all while being inside this tiny box on your monitor.

Since then. a few of us have put up our own set of talks we found interesting. Some of the talks inspired vigourous debate, others didn't inspire any conversation at all. Some were met with laughter and others with derision. In the end all we were really looking for is a way to keep people's minds ticking over and not turning to mush.

Anyway, here are a few of my favourites from these fascinating talks:

• Susan Cain: The power of introverts
• Paul Stamets: 6 ways mushrooms can save the world
• Jackson Katz: Violence against women
• Assil Russel: I CARE
• Aimee Mullins: The opportunity of Adversity
• Alyssa Royse: Ask & Tell
• Bruce Muzik on BIG secrets
• Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation
• Jake the uke artist 
• Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice
• Jacob Barnett. A very intelligent teenager.
• Reggie Watts
• Charlie Todd: Play!

Some are inspirational, some will get you thinking, some are confusing and others will challenge you. And then there's this description of attending a TED conference. Enjoy!