<p>I learned about TED talks a few days ago, and I’ve watched a few since. I know other CCers out there watch TED talks, so suggest some to me! Also, general TED Talk thread.</p>
<p>Love TED talks, been watching them for probably over a year now. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, get the app :)</p>
<p>I just downloaded it, thanks!</p>
<p>Oh gosh.
My sister turned down the opportunity to go to a TED Talks event because she didn’t know what it was. I was speechless when she told me… x) </p>
<p>If you shoot me a PM to remind me or something, I’d be more than happy to send you some of my favorites when I have time! I’m personally in love with them c:</p>
<p>TED talks are really awesome!! They are even holding a competition regaurding a wish u would make to make the future cities of the world a better place…there is one talk by James Cameron called curious boy before avatar …it’s really good…I think u guys should check it out!!</p>
<p>:blush:
</p>
<p>CC has been enriched thanks to this thread. AH. TED.</p>
<p>I really enjoyed Sarah Kay’s If I Should Have A Daughter. Also definitely watch Hans Rosling. And then Rives has a couple decent one, but the 4AM one is the best of his. And for all you proud CC INTJs, I recommend Susan Cain’s The Power of Introverts. </p>
<p>And an interesting article: [How</a> to Get into TED? It’s Like Applying to College?Again and Again - Businessweek](<a href=“Bloomberg - Are you a robot?”>Bloomberg - Are you a robot?)</p>
<p>I’ve been watching them since 2008. They’re pretty cool.</p>
<p>Another one is The RSA.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, and Retro, I just watched the power of introverts, it’s all so true!</p>
<p>haha, right?</p>
<p>BUMPING because this is a valuable thread!</p>
<p>The Power of Introverts? Tch… what is it with introvert solidarity these days? </p>
<p>Extroverts read, think, and self-examine just as much as introverts do. They simply enjoy socialization more. The power of introverts is that they’re less likely to fall for peer pressure. The power of extroverts is that they’re better at communication. The end.</p>
<p>^did you watch it?</p>
<p>I’ve read an interview of the woman who gave it. She’s insufferable. I know plenty of extroverts. They aren’t sitting at home inventing lightbulbs, when all of a sudden Big Brother society comes in and forces them to go to parties. They spend a lot of time playing video games and watching TV, and they have smaller parties where people drink just as much but without the raucous, loud-music atmosphere. </p>
<p>If we lived in an “introverted society” (and I’m not convinced we don’t… have you ever been forced to sit quietly for 10 years, five days a week, for five hours a day? I have: it was called public school. Surely a haven to extroverts and people with boundless energy, eh?) and I told you that, if extroverts were allowed to talk, they’d be making speeches like Demosthenes, debating philosophy, contributing to the political system, etc. etc., you’d probably point out some errors. Mainly that most people, introverted or extroverted, don’t spend the free time they do have making observations about the universe and achieving intellectual enlightenment. They make bad jokes, laugh a lot, read trash fiction, and have fun. That’s how most people work. The introverted population is no different. </p>
<p>Introvert-elitism is no better than extrovert-elitism, and I’m sick of it from both sides. I’m not fond of being told that I must not have any thoughts, just because I like to share the thoughts I have. I’m not fond of being told that I must not like reading very much, because I like to discuss what I’ve read. I’m not fond of being told that because I’m extroverted, I would choose a loud, mindless party over spending time contemplating the universe. </p>
<p>There is no difference in ability to think between extroverts and introverts. Most introverts I know are annoyingly slow and stunningly stupid. So are most extroverts. The difference comes in how the members of the two groups choose to relate to others. That’s the whole difference. </p>
<p>There is no real comparative advantage to either group in anything outside of the social sphere, and even there the difference has little effect on success. Introverts can pat themselves on the back for being misunderstood Einsteins, but they’re not. </p>
<p>Susan Cain does make some points I agree with, however. Group work is not superior to individual work. The smarter members of the group just end up carrying the rest along, and it helps no one. Individuals should work on their own, then come together to discuss different approaches once they have exhausted their own creative capacity. But even here, she misunderstands the process. </p>
<p>Her biggest error in judgment is fundamental. She defines introversion well enough, but in practice she treats introversion as though introverts are individualists and extroverts are anti-individualists. This is a good distinction to make, but not all introverts are individualistic, and not all extroverts are anti-individualistic. If her argument were between individualism and communalism, we’d have no point of contention. However, because she confuses a desire to communicate with others with the lack of independence, she only ends up muddying the waters.</p>
<p>I found the interview. Look at some of these quotes:</p>
<p>“Introverts are constantly going to parties and such when they’d really prefer to be home reading, studying, inventing, meditating, designing, thinking, cooking…or any number of other quiet and worthwhile activities…” unlike extroverts, who can think of nothing to do but talk too much and play beer pong, amiright?</p>
<p>“Introverts are more likely to let talented employees run with their ideas, rather than trying to put their own stamp on things. And they tend to be motivated not by ego or a desire for the spotlight, but by dedication to their larger goal.” Those darn egomaniacal, shallow extroverts with no larger goals or visions. If only we could get rid of them somehow… sigh… </p>
<p>*"…the most creative people in many fields are usually introverts." *Oh, well… shucks. Guess I should give up that dream of being a creative, productive member of society. But, whatever. Just got a text from a friend, and it’s time to go clubbin’ anyway! Yahoo!</p>
<p>“But I also believe that introversion is my greatest strength.” A serious response to this one: if introversion is your greatest strength, I’m truly very sorry. Generally, I feel that my greatest strengths are empathy and the ability to think for myself. If I had to replace either of them with introversion, I’d be devastated. </p>
<p>“I have such a strong inner life that I’m never bored and only occasionally lonely.” Poor lonely extroverts, bored all the time and with no inner monologue. I’m such an automaton that I have difficulty telling whether I’m truly sentient sometimes. I’m always talking so loudly that I can’t hear my thoughts, after all. </p>
<p>“No matter what mayhem is happening around me, I know I can always turn inward.” As a parasitic extravert, I just can’t sympathize!</p>
<p>Ahahaha, you win this. I don’t have the will to contradict you - but I enjoyed the talk.</p>
<p>I just generally find TED brainwashing though.</p>
<p>People talk very slowly, so I prefer to read transcripts of speeches, and I haven’t found any for TED talks. </p>
<p>Some of the ones I’ve seen are good, though.</p>
<p>i liked jimbo steve’s commentary on introverts and extroverts alot :).</p>
<p>One of the best places to introduce yourself to the concepts is at the WIKIPEDIA PAGE I think.</p>