Over the weekend a couple of members of Team Leamington attended the TEDxAuckland event. It was a very interesting experience as it is one of the few opportunities that allow professionals from a wild range of different fields globally to come together to talk about some of the things that are being worked on. And a range of different topics was indeed explored! From listening to top NZ scientists talk about breakthroughs they are exploring in the pursuit of curing cancer, to environmentalists trying to save NZ birds, different ways to treat timber to reduce pollution, deep technology innovations, startups that cater for people with disabilities, right through to a group of elderly people who have started a global phenomenon called "Coffin club" - the range and contrast of ordinary people looking for ways to make a difference in our world was both humbling and inspiring. How easy it is to think that the bubble that we live in is the same bubble as others If there was a common take-a-way that I took from the experience it was how easy it is to think that the bubble that we live in is the same bubble as others in our community, in NZ, in the world. It also reminded me that the bubble that we live in currently is standing on shaky ground as a new generation don't just talk about some of the challenges our world is facing - they are doing something about it. Pollution, climate change, energy, the environment, hierarchical corporate structure, global economies, automation, artificial intelligence, family violence, etc etc are all things that cannot be ignored any longer. There are many everyday people working on some creative and world-changing things in each of these spaces that are just around the corner. Motivated by a purpose which led them to action Another common theme was how each person was motivated by a purpose which led them to action. In almost every situation, it was when they were forced into discomfort that they stretched themselves to find new solutions. Not motivated by money or status or climbing the corporate ladder, it reinforced the growing trend that working for the "the man" to pay the bills to one day retire is a global mindset that is no longer applauded.
If you get the chance to go to a TED event - it is a worthwhile experience. It forces each of us to think outside the bubble we make for ourselves. To watch some of the top global TED talks of all time click on this link. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMike Malcolm - Principal of Leamington School Archives
August 2019
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