TED Talks by Chris Anderson
“A deeper understanding of our own humanity comes not from listening to your parents, or your friends, nor to psychologists, neuroscientists, historians, evolutionary biologists, anthropologists, or spiritual teachers. It comes from listening to all of them.”
3 Main Messages:
The only thing that matters is having something worth saying
Your talk should not be an issue, but an idea
The best speakers paint a compelling picture of a possible future
Much has been made recently of the silos that exist on social media, of the way that we are fed information, stories and views that most align with our own, leading to great divides within society. I recall my genuine shock when the results of Brexit were announced, as all evidence presented to me in conversations, online and in the news had led me to believe that it was an impossible eventuality. A recent trip to the USA revealed that American culture is completely divided along two sides - with the left and right unable to find a happy medium. It seems impossible to see how this great divide can ever be resolved.
I reference this because the first step to understanding, compromise and resolution is listening to the ideas of others. This is exactly what TED sets out to do. Originated in 1984, TED talks recognise the power of connection between technology, entertainment and design. The founders believed that ideas and creativity are sparked by listening to people whose expertise is different to our own.
There are over 4,000 TED talks on their YouTube channel to select from, with Sir Ken Robinson’s 2006 talk on ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity?’ being perhaps the most popular, having over 74 million views to date. With 300+ topics of talks varying from Architecture, Bioethics and Compassion to Veganism, Wind Energy and Youth, there is something to pique every palate!
This book explains the purpose and history of TED talks but then gives the reader so much more. Even if you have no intention of ever giving a TED talk, the insights, guides and suggestions included here will make any speech you make brilliant.
Anyone who has sat through a long and boring speech at a conference, wedding or award ceremony will agree with the famous saying “if I had had more time I would have written a shorter letter.” As Richard Bach tells us: “Great writing is all about the power of the deleted word.” Anderson here advises us that the only thing that matters is having something worth saying and then turning that idea into a gift for your audience. The preparation allows a speaker to present that gift in the most enjoyable, meaningful and memorable way.
Anderson tells us that “The speaker’s job is to give to the audience,” and he details how to do this. He sets out the 5 ‘Core Tools’ of the perfect talk as being:
Connection
Narration
Explanation
Persuasion
Revelation
While explaining the need for and art of each of these tools, Anderson points the reader towards previous talks that model them particularly well. He also tells us of the 3 common traps of public speaking and how to avoid them.
The section on the preparation process provides valuable suggestions for anyone presenting a talk, meeting, slide show or indeed giving any presentation to others. There are guides and suggestions around what to wear, how and when to use slides, graphics, images and text, how to control nerves and how to use your voice for full effect. Anderson shares 4 ways to start strong and 7 ways to end with power. Again, he references talks which demonstrate each skill particularly well.
Anderson reminds us, however, that we should “never forget that substance matters more than style. Ultimately it’s all about the idea.” These ideas can then set off all sorts of creative sparks in different work contexts. I have yet to listen to a TED talk which hasn’t given me a new insight or idea which has been useful.
TED talks alone do not promise resolutions in the cold war between the political left and right. However, by expanding our knowledge pool and by helping us to understand the thoughts, persuasions and priorities of others outside of our usual conversation circles, we will become more open to the possibility of compromise. Now I just need to start planning my own!
