TEDxSMU
Today I witnessed, quite possibly, the best group gathering I have ever been to in my life (unless you count my wedding as one).
TED is a “conference” that focuses on inspiring people with other people’s stories… sharing information and motivation that propels people to innovate and start something. “Ideas worth spreading”
TEDxSMU is part of the TEDx campaign where it brings smaller scale versions of TED to other cities and countries…
Why would I say that it’s quite possibly the best group gathering I’ve ever been to? Let me describe to you the people I sat down and had actual conversations with:
William Kamkwamba… as in the Boy Who Harnessed the Wind that you’ve all been seeing on TV, listening to his story about how he saved his village with a windmill made from a few spare parts. I spent a few minutes engaging William and asking questions about how this whirl wind (::groan::) of international media attention has affected him. You could easily tell he was overwhelmed, but starting to get used to it.
Turk Pipkin… Created a non-profit organization and filmed how he has helped villages in Kenya build schools and provide sustainable resources to help feed communities and keep fresh, running water flowing. All while documenting this with film. Fascinating work.
Ira Greenberg…Talked with Ira for a few minutes about his artwork involving generative graphics and audio. His installation is entirely dynamic (both audio and visual) and generates based on interactions with the environment. Definitely my cup of tea.
Arthur Benjamin… The Mathemagician, who can calculate the square of a 5 digit number within minutes in his head. He taught the entire audience the quick and easy way to square any 2 digit number. I’ll have to show you sometime.
Lewis Warren… is a 13 year old piano prodigy. Started playing the piano at 3, composing pieces by 5, and has since toured the world with his gift.
and my personal favorite
Anousheh Ansari… The first woman in the private sector to travel to space. Absolutely thrilling as her family is also the sponsor of the $10 MM X Prize… Yeah, literally, the X Prize. I had a chat with her and her husband about space, the future of private funded space exploration, and other technology related topics. She’s incredibly approachable and she’s been to space. Need I say more?
Indescribable how I feel right now…
