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TEDxToronto Reflections

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In October, my supervisor from Supporting Our Youth (S/O Adam Benn!) asked some folks if they wanted to go to TEDx and immediately I said yes. I had no other response. Just yes and more yes. 

As expected, my brain started whirring and it felt like the neurons in my brain were firing. Some speakers sparked new ideas. Others introduced new questions to ask myself. Surprisingly I took very few notes (I was expecting to leave with a notebook full of notes). Here are some takeaways from the conference:

  • [Speaker: Jamie Clarke] Tell stories with passion
  • [Jennifer Keesmaat] Housing and infrastructure for a city are shared interests. What companies or countries can I invest in who are building their infrastructure and can provide a reasonable return?
    • [Speaker: Gimmy Chu] Is there a better way? How can we explore the abyss? 
    • [Michelle Latimer] How do you get people to recognize you as human in instances of war?
      • "When you hurt the land, you hurt yourself."
    • [Nastassia Subban] Who am I to be teaching other people's children? Who am I NOT to be teaching other people's children? What questions do I ask to know about myself? How do I incorporate vulnerability into my workshops?
    • [Philip Beesley] How does architecture live and breathe? How do business structures live and breathe? How do you bring a heartbeat to systems? 
    • [Elicser Elliott] #dontknowitsart
    • [Satish Kanwar] Barter economies = everyone was an entrepreneur
      • Don't wait for THEY to make a decision or make a moment
      • Name an entrepreneur...The next time you answer, I hope you say that you are
    • [Jeremie Saunders] We place death far off in the distance. What if I knew I was going to die at 30 years old?
      • "The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." - Mark Twain
    • [Catherine Reitman] If you are going to say yes to the choice (of whatever tough decision you make), stay dedicated to the vision and honest to yourself because other people will try to knock you down.
      • "Cut your voice so sharply that it is unmistakably you." - Catherine Reitman

    Fonna Seidu