Ted Talk Response #8 Jay Walker

1. One of the major aspects I took away from this video is different types of mania – one thing that I had never really thought of. Could there be different types of mania? Aren’t they all just… fun, and crazy? However, it occurred to me while watching this video that there are in fact different types. Yes, they all consist of fascinations, so to speak. However, I believe I had always thought of manias as fun, entertaining things. I believe myself to be the picture-perfect mania-stricken person for one particular craze: Beatlemania(although I wasn’t alive during the actual craze). Walker showed a photo of the Nazis. Without even having to go into more detail, I realized that manias are not all fun and entertaining. I had never thought of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust as a mania, but now I see it was. Manias can cause great distress and violence, not just happiness. In addition, this presentation, of course, got me thinking about English. Why is it that it has become a worldwide mania? My first thought was of the beauty of it, the capability of it, the wonderful thing it is. However, as the presentation progressed, I realized that while that initial thought could be considered a valid part of the reasoning behind the mania, there was more to it. What was discussed was what opportunities English could bring to people, and how it would enable people to participate in worldwide conversations and issues. This is true, as it is known that English is taking over the world. So, in a sense, supporting evidence for the world’s English mania is the world’s English mania itself.

2. It did not appear that Walker possessed any particularly effective speaking techniques. One notable method, though, was his extremely loud voice. Although the volume almost reached a level of annoyance, it was notable because it gave me the feeling that he was extremely interested in what he discussed. This not only provokes the audience, but the speaker himself.

3. Walker’s presentation style was interesting. It was the first I viewed that included video, and someone else’s voice. This would only make sense, as the topic being discussed was language. Hearing and seeing Chinese citizens and students be so passionate about the language just further supported the fact that English has become a mania. Visuals also aided the presentation, with driving the point, but also by providing examples of well-known manias to familiarize the audience with the aspect of what a mania is.

4. I believe that it is essential to realize that just like people, manias inhabit a wide variety of types. When a community, whatever the size, is swept into the mania, we must make sure that we understand the meaning behind it. If, perhaps, more German people had realized the meaning behind the mania in Nazi Germany, the results wouldn’t have been as horrible. Then again, that’s just an idea. This English mania the world possesses is obviously connected to the world, as the world possesses it, and education, as the mania is being spread through the teaching of the language. English is everywhere. Instead of simply accepting it, one may benefit from considering why people all over the world turn to English. Personally, this made me think of my U.S. History education – learning about American imperialism and its journey to becoming a world power. And a world power it is! It would make sense that this English mania is due largely to the power and leadership America has in the world in all different aspects of life – politics, war, economy, science, entertainment, the list goes on and on. Since English-speakers have such an enormous influence in the world, it would only make sense that in order to participate in world events and issues, other countries would learn to speak the language in which these issues are largely discussed. On another personal note, I want to write books when I am older. I have always loved the English language. This would make sense, as it is my first and currently my only language. However, I feel that I have a connection to English that is deeper and more meaningful that the fact that I speak it. The beauty and loveliness of the language is constantly becoming of more and more importance to me as I read, speak, listen to, and write the language. To me, this would appear a major factor in the causes of the English mania. 

Ted Talk Response #7 Jonathan Klein

1. I couldn’t believe that in six minutes Klein was able to get so much across during his presentation. One thing that I feel I really thought was important that I took away from this video was that idea that one should act on what you take away from a photograph. One should pay attention to whatever emotion is felt when viewing a photograph, as some are so incredibly powerful. It had also never really consciously occurred to me that powerful images don’t have to be graphic. Klein showed the photo of the women lying down by a grave with her head between her arms. It wasn’t graphic at all, but it hit me. I think it all has to do with human ability to feel emotion, to react. We, as humans, naturally have fairly strong reactions and emotions in response to things we see, watch, hear, etc. Much of it, if not all of it, should be credited to the biology of the human, as it is ourselves that find the interest to take photos and, in turn, react to them. These photos wouldn’t mean anything if we were incapable of feeling something.

2. Klein did not possess any unusual or incredible effective speaking techniques. He did, however, possess techniques vital to an effective presentation – he was articulate, calm, and did not move in such a way that was distracting. One must also consider that much of the attention was not focused on Klein himself, but the photos and ideas he presented.

3. I found Klein’s presentation style to be extremely effective. For one, since he was discussing the power of photography, it only made since that he would support his ideas with famous photographs themselves. He did not go into great deal on any of the photographs. This enabled viewers to have their own independent reaction to the photograph – the aspect that has enabled photographs to be so powerful – emotion. Since many were well-known photographs, the presentation also enabled many viewers to revist, or feel once again their reaction to an event. Photographs used in the presentation not only provoked emotion and memory from viewers, but also served as direct evidence and support for the point Klein was getting across. On another aspect, the duration of the presentation was effective. Klein said what was important and let the photographs support and continue his presentation. In a way, the photographs he used served the exact purpose for his presentation that he told powerful photographs do. The presentation was exactly to the point. The short duration of it enabled the audience to recall their own memories and comprehend their own thoughts and reactions to the presentation – all that Klein said photographs do.  

4. This video matters to many aspects in life. We all know what a certain photograph can make us feel, but it is important to realize what these emotions can make us do. Klein made the point of acting. This is obviously essential to make change, to make things happen. Today, with such a visual, media-consumed world, it is vital that we realize what things we see to be important. With images racing past our eyes many times a day, one must be in tune with what image speaks to him or her, and what image matters to him or her. Examples of well-known photos presented by Klein obviously had a great impact on the world and mattered to many, many people. One connection to me personally – right now, we are studying the Vietnam War in U.S. History. Even before Klein brought the “living room war,” into his presentation, many of my thoughts while watching the video were of it. Also, many photos shown by Klein were photos I had recently viewed at other times and places in my life. This video meant even more to me after being instructed of the impact of these images in greater detail in other classes. For example, during Vietnam, when the photo of the screaming Vietnamese children running away from American soldiers was released, it provoked an intense reaction in America – one specifically, in this case, of opposition to the soldiers themselves, not just the war. Photos can provoke action, alter perspectives, change perception, and ultimately, change the world. 

Ted Talk Response #6 Dave Eggers

1. I was quite astounded with this presentation. It was quite incredible. One of my first thoughts was the fact that I had heard one of these ideas before: the importance of one-on-one time with a student. Eggers talked of how his teacher friends would have classes overwhelmingly full, with no possibility of each student having a set time period devoted to them and their needs. I had already heard of this conflict – it seems it’s everywhere in education. I found Egger’s speech to be extremely inspirational, as not only did he and his collegues recognize the issue, but chose to do something about it. Even more so, it is obvious that there are intrinsic motivators involved with the organization, which is touching to me. It is so great to know that people are willing to devote time, energy, and knowledge to children to improve their lives. I thought all the aspects of the organization were very clever. With an environment that is fun and interesting, young kids are probably more likely to have a desire to come to tutoring and work on skills because it feels less like school, and it is just a pleasant environment. This presentation also showed me how just a few people can start a huge thing. It was an idea, then with more connections to other people they had a space, the space got renovated, the space was improved, and with more connections, like the connection to the educator from Mexico City, the organization gained momentum, and then it grew. So much resulted from this idea, including published works and a store, but even more importantly a positive attitude from kids and a feeling of true success – not one consisting of money or anything of that sort, but one consisting of doing a really great thing. In the end, it seems that knowing a difference was made is more important than the physical objects obtained from it, if any. Dave Egger’s organization and the organizations that grew from it not only helped many, many kids, but proved a point as to what can happen and what matters in the world.

2. Dave Egger at first was distracting with his speaking techniques for me. It appeared that he talked fast and didn’t know what he was doing, but as the presentation progressed, it became obvious that he had a goal in mind. He moved around and fidgeted a great deal, and it seems that he stumbled with articulating his thoughts at times. However, he made up for these errors by making fun of them. This not only caused him to relax, but it caused the audience to relax as well. Although his speaking was a bit chaotic at times, Eggers spoke in such a way that it was obvious he was passionate about what he talked about. This was extremely effective.

3. Egger’s presentation style was largely visual. The topic and information he presented was much easier to grasp with the help of visuals. He also, at times, looked down at notes to guide his presentation, but this did not subtract from it, as it showed that he had a goal with what he wanted to get across, but he was comfortable with a relaxed style of presentation and let himself and his thoughts come into it. This made it all the more enjoyable.  The visuals included also seemed to aid Eggers as well as the audience, as it would provoke thoughts, memories, and jokes that would drive his concept further. I found Egger’s presentation style to be extremely effective.

4. This video absolutely matters to the world, to myself, and to education. Today, education is essential to success in the world. It is also important to realize that our world consists of people. Shouldn’t we help those we can? The goal of Egger’s organization is very important to the world and education – because as population and space occupation increases, the demand for more instructors in education increases. With circumstances such as the economy, this is not always possible. It is becoming even more obvious to us that there is a need for time devoted to one person at a time. We know what may result from one-on-one time: incredible progress and incredible things. With many aspects in the world increasing, the importance of education and the importance of every person may be even more important than it always has been. On a personal level, I am interested in being a teacher when I am older. Even from an early age, people, in particular children, have always been important to me. I feel that I understand the gravity of the situation which Eggers discussed. In addition, I know what it feels like to be one of many students, athletes, or members of a certain class, team, or group that feel they are not always getting the attention they deserve or feel they need. Eggers not only addressed an extremely important issue, but showed that such an issue may be solved with the help of people in a local area, and the impact that solution may have on a city, a state, a country, even a world.