Whether you have attended one live or like to watch them from bed at your leisure, you know the power of the TED Talk. You’re laughing along, you’re inspired—you are very, very stimulated. It’s learning in the most modern way.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning, April 15 at 10am for the popular, TEDxStanford, to be held on Sunday, May 17 at 11am to 6pm. Last year’s TEDxStanford sold out in thirty minutes. Now in its 4th year, this “intellectual variety show,” as Curator and Executive Producer, Melinda Sacks calls it, pulls Stanford-affiliated speakers from a wide pool (alumnae, faculty, students) and strikingly diverse disciplines.
Speakers from every corner of the Stanford campus and the arts departments will be interspersed throughout the day. “This format of short talks and incredible performances is an unforgettable way for people to get access to discoveries and stories that are happening at a great university,” Melinda Sacks explained.
All distinguished speakers’ research, work, and missions touch on crucial turning points which are taking place during our lifetimes. Water shortage, gender reassignment, flying technolgoy, and race- the beauty of TEDxStanford is that the public will have the opportunity to listen to the varied human experiences, in a way that will not only expose them to new worlds, but also give them opportunity to apply them meaningfully to their own.
“There are so many things in the world and on campus that are at crucial points. TEDxStanford is a reflection of what is going on in the world today, but presented in with a multidisciplinary approach,” Sacks explained. Addititionally, attendees will be invited to tell their stories into a camera in a “story booth.” A few stories will be chosen and played at the end of the day.
There will be surprises throughout the day, musical performances, plenty of opportunity to meet the speakers and to connect and make friends with the other attendees. People have started businesses and founded nonprofit organizations after meeting at TEDx Talks.
A few highlights: Dr. Abraham Verghese from Stanford’s School of Medicine, will be talking about his philosophy of treating the whole patient, versus simply looking at data and relying on technology. Professor of Anthropology Tanya Marie Luhrmann’s, “When God Talks Back,” will touch on her study of individuals who say they speak directly to God. Etosha Cave, a recent alumnae, will be speaking about her company and mission for low cost, clean energy. Professor of Biology and Neurology, Carla J. Shatz will be discussing her breakthrough work on Alzheimer’s.
Her landmark research proves that it may be possible to make an old brain work like a young brain. Professor of Law, Richard Ford, will discuss today’s new era of civil rights. Professor David Lentink will be discussing his use of slow motion photography on bird flight and its use on developing drones and other flying vehicles. Tanvi Jayaraman, a current student at Stanford, will be discussing her work on campus for women’s safety. Her study and work on campus confronts today’s culture in which people do not know how to intervene when violence is perpetuated against women.
There were will be a free live webcast of TEDxStanford and you will be able to watch TEDxStanford online in its entirety a few days after its conclusion.
“If you walk away with a new perspective or a little more understanding of a new issue, then we have accomplished our goal. That’s how Stanford operates: people coming together from all disciplines to solve problems by working together,” Melinda Sykes told us excitedly. There will be no lectures. No books. Just incredible people who are devoted to making changes in the world, talking passionately about what they know best, and along with beautiful visuals. Each talk is geared to challenge us, expose us, teach us something new, and most importantly, to fulfill TED’s mission “to give us ideas worth spreading.” The compelling ideas, stories, and electric energy of the speakers, will hopefully drive us to make a change. Perhaps some of us will be inspired to help others or to help ourselves.
For tickets and more information go to the TEDxStanford website.
.TEDxStanford Tickets Going On Sale Tomorrow
