Ideas Worth Spreading

Grammy nominated composer, Eric Whitacre, has taken choral music to a new level using Youtube as his stage.  He has managed to bring together over 2000 singers of all ages and cultures from 58 different countries to perform one of his compositions together on a global scale without ever leaving their homes. 

Watch Eric Whitacre's TED Talk and reflect and respond to the following question:

1. What is the role of technology in a project like this? What barriers does it help to break down? What opportunities does it create?
2. In terms of sharing this vision with the world, how does a medium like this compare to doing this in the same physical space?
3. What are some other applications for this technology?
4. How could this model be used in schools, particularly ones with 1:1 programs?
5. Could this model be used in other ways to address current global issues? If so, how do you see it being used?

Topic: The Last Monologues
Description: Ten years ago Drama professor Jillian Campana’s life changed when she suffered a stroke.  After recovering enough to return to work she decided to use Drama to help people who have experienced severe loss.   Her play The Puzzle Club, about people who are living with brain injuries, was made into a film and distributed to hospitals and rehabilitation centers across the world and American PBS television subsequently aired a documentary program on her writing and directing process.  Since then Dr. Campana has created Drama Therapy programs for numerous individuals, groups and hospitals in the US, Europe and India.  In her TEDx talk, she will share some of the stories she has heard from individuals who are working to re-build their lives and identities after experiencing a traumatic event.

To view the full video of our March 2011 TEDxASB event, please click here.

Johanna Blakley: Social media and the end of gender

Media and advertising companies still use the same old demographics to understand audiences, but they're becoming increasingly harder to track online, says media researcher Johanna Blakley. As social media outgrows traditional media, and women users outnumber men, Blakley explains what changes are in store for the future of media.

Topic: Many Identities
Description: When Namita Devidayal wrote ‘The Music Room’, a book that takes the reader into the enchanting world of Indian classical music through the eyes of her teacher Dhondutai, she found that besides exploring music, she was rediscovering her own identity. So much of her life had been influenced by this quiet musical sepia-toned space. Growing up, she had a kind of cultural schizophrenia – grappling between a very traditional world and a modern western world. It is the dilemma of many Indians today as they face a society in transition. She believes that, if you are true to yourself, you can exist on many different planes at the same time.

To view the full video of our March 2011 TEDxASB event, please click here.

Watch David Blaine's talk and reflect and respond to the following question:

• What would you excel at, if you had the single mindedness of David Blaine?

Brene Brown talks about the power of vulnerability to help us make connections and access joy and satisfaction in our lives.

Watch Sarah Jones's talk and reflect and respond to the following questions:

1. Which, if any, of the characters portrayed by Jones touched or resonated with you the most?  Why?
2. Assess the value of having one strong cultural identity versus identifying with aspects of multiple cultures (consider the phenomena of “trans-culture kids”).  Is it possible to have/do both?
3. What might we expect to gain from being part of an international community?  What, if any, are the challenges of being part of an international community?
4. Are conventional notions of identity outdated?  Why or why not?
5. Based on your individual experiences, to what extent is tolerance valued within the ASB community?

Watch Shawn MacDonell's talk and reflect and respond to the following questions:

1. What did you "want to be when you grow up" back when you were five?
2. What do you "want to be when you grow up" today? (Adults: Did you become that?)
3. Think of what subject in school you get (got) your best grades in. Think of your favorite subject. How have these two items impacted your career, degree, and/or university choice?
4. Who are you having conversation with about your career?
5. What is the role of family and school in assisting individuals to find vocations, careers, and dreams?
6. What parts of this TED talk did not surprise you? What part did surprise you?
7. What would you attempt to do with your life if you knew you would not fail?
8. What do you fear most about attempting a career and failing?

Title: How photography connects us.
Description: The photo director for National Geographic, David Griffin knows the power of photography to connect us to our world. In a talk filled with glorious images, he talks about how we all use photos to tell our stories.

Topic: Epic Difference
Description: What happens when stories travel across continents.

To view the full video of our November 2010 TEDxASB event, please click here.