Here are just a few of the highlights I've had the privilege to experience at TED in Monterey:
Phil Zimbardo prepared Tedsters to become everyday heros by informing us just how closely we dance with evil. Evoking Solzhenitsyn, who said "The line between good and evil cuts through the heart of every individual," Zimbardo's research reveals how susceptible we all are to falling in with Bad Apples. But we're able to resist it best when we're not in a Bad Barrel, i.e., the situations and
institutions we inhabit must foster cooperation not separatism, empathy not blame. I.e., the opposite of the conditions in Abu Graib pre-scandal.
Irwin Redlener prepared us for survival in the wake of a nuclear attack by elucidating a few relatively unknown tips: (1) post blast radioactivity within a mile or so of the blast is lethal on the ground, so get shelter below ground or on the 10th floor or above, (2) know the prevailing wind direction (and ideally the actual wind direction at time of blast) and head perpendicular or away from it, (3) don't rely on the government or other government preparedness programs to protect yourself. They're not ready to deal with it, and (4) keep your mouth open so your sinuses don't burst in the aftershock of the blast.
Samantha Power prepared us to recognize heros who embody the knowledge so precious to dealing with today's most difficult challenges by giving tribute to champions like Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and reminding us to seek them when working to avert social atrocities and humanitarian crises. She put American pride on notice with a reminder that our "Never again" ethos was nowhere to be found during the Rwandan genocide.
A brief "trailer(?)" for Pangea Day debuted to the delight of Tedsters.
And then there were the Prize Winners:
Neil Turok, whose dream is that the next Einstein will be African. He's building a model for higher science education in Africa with the AIMS school, delivering RICH (Relevant, Innovative, Cost Effective, High quality) education in major African countries.
Dave Eggers, founder of 826 Valencia and merchant to buccaneers. His model for neighborhood driven afterschool tutoring in the back of a kids emporium is being imitated all over America, and has even sprung up in Dublin.
Karen Armstrong, author and scholar of comparative religions. Her wish is perhaps the most audacious TED wish to date, which is has something to do with getting Jews, Muslims, and Christians together on matters of universal justice and respect, but I'm a little vague on the details. I thinks she wants some help with that part.
Anyway, Karen and the rest made a believer out of me.
