TEDx Bend

Are you a fan of TED talks? How many hours have you spent being inspired by other peoples interesting ideas?

This last weekend, I volunteered for our local TEDx here in Bend. What is a TEDx you ask? Per the TED.com web site, “TEDx brings the spirit of TED’s mission of ideas worth spreading to local communities around the globe. TEDx events are organized by curious individuals who seek to discover ideas and spark conversations in their own community.” I can attest to this!

As part of my rewards for diligently setting up and serving a meal to the presenters and sponsors of our local event this last weekend, I received a ticket to the talks on Saturday. Have you ever gone to one of these talks? I highly appreciate that most are not focused on convincing you of anything; their goal is to being an idea to you that might expand you way of viewing the world.

Our schedule this year included talks about the culture of social media, and the lacking regulation in the ASL translation industry. We heard about the psychosis an endurance athlete could identify with and how these might not be bad characteristics, rather evolutionary perks. We also viewed an elaborate plan for a communal live/work/eco balanced center that was fascinating. There were laughs, tears, and spoke word, and I left intrigued, reflective and deep in conversation.

If you tend to like to have your personal perspectives and understanding of the world challenged and expanded, I would strongly suggest attending a TEDx talk. Do like I did, save money and be part of the process, volunteer!!

disclaimer: Out of respect for the speakers, I did not grab photos as the talks took place. I am hoping to snag some from the TEDx Bend site when they are posted.