I love to watch TED talks. If you haven’t checked out TED yet, stop reading this and go see what you’re missing. TED Talks
Here’s the thing. I’ll be watching some beautiful, moving, and/or fascinating video, and I’ll turn to the person next to me to share the experience… and there’s no one there. I’m alone, in my office, being lifted and inspired all by my lonesome. It’s okay, I’m still happy, but it sure would be nice to engage in a little discussion about what I just saw.
Enter TED Talk lunches. It’s so simple! Everybody brings their lunch to the meeting room, we pop up a TED Talk on the nice big display, and voila! Best meeting ever!
We’ve had one TED Talk Lunch so far, and it was well-received. TTL #2 is planned for January 31. I chose the 2 Talks for December’s lunch, and we have 2 guests choosing for January. February isn’t booked yet, but I’ve already secured one guest to choose a Talk.
Here’s what we watched in December:
Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in action
Janine Benyus has a message for inventors: When solving a design problem, look to nature first. There you’ll find inspired designs for making things waterproof, aerodynamic, solar-powered and more. Here she reveals dozens of new products that take their cue from nature with spectacular results. A self-proclaimed nature nerd, Janine Benyus’ concept of biomimicry has galvanized scientists, architects, designers and engineers into exploring new ways in which nature’s successes can inspire humanity. Janine Benyus on TED
PS: Janine’s was the first TED Talk I ever saw. I was hooked!
Susan Cain: The power of introverts
In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated. Our world prizes extroverts — but Susan Cain makes a case for the quiet and contemplative. Susan Cain on TED
Stay tuned for a recap of January’s TTL 🙂