TED Presentations

Ah, what to say about our TED presentations. TED has consumed a little too much of my life for the past month or so and I'm elated it's over. TED was pretty stressful but I'm happy with my performance and contributions. I'm still improving on my collaborative skills and there were countless problems I ran into during this process. For example, I'm the editor of the project. As editor I wanted to make the page as good as it could possibly be, but in this specific case that was difficult. This was because one group member contributed, in my opinion, a plethora of useless, irrelevant information and I think even she herself admitted to ruining what the rest of our group members had already done. This was frustrating to me but I decided to leave a majority of her work because she deserves credit for her effort, although I think our group will suffer for it.

The problem above is one of many obstacles this TED project presented. To be honest I think what everyone will take away from the TED project is not what was the initial goal. What TED taught me was how to deal with working with people you cannot depend on and those who, at times, you find incompetent and really get on your nerves. This is very similar to most group projects, but this was unique because I had never met most of my group members. This made it a tad bit more frustrating.

Unfortunately, this isn't what I was looking forward to getting out of this project. I think the idea of this is very "Academy" and it has huge potential, but it is still in it's developmental stages. I really appreciate how much input we had in the design of this project and how helpful our teachers were when we vented our troubles. I look forward to seeing how this project will evolve year after year, if the Academy continues to do it.

I have several ideas for the future of TED. I really liked what Leanne and several others brought up in our discussion today. Couldn't we spend the time we used to make this project on actually helping people? Could we not? I think, being the passionate group of people that we are, we could actually make an impact if we all tried.

I also think that the videos are perhaps the most valuable part of this project. I think it would be cool to watch one every Thursday night and discuss it on Fridays for half an hour or something. That way we could watch every video in its entirety. Academy is heavily discussion-based, and these videos have a lot to discuss. I don't see why we should make something on the internet where we just research certain aspects of our video and present them, when everyone could get that type of information on their own as well as learn and expand their understanding more through a discussion.

Overall, I'm just happy that TED is over and I can relax. I think the best part of this project was that we communicated with our teachers so well. It was really comforting to know and see that they all have our best interests at heart and want us to succeed. I was also proud of our entire Sophomore Academy class. I think, in general, we led all of our groups well and contributed heavily. Although some people may have dropped the ball, I think we all did well. :)

Captured Thought: Future

Like many people, I've spent my entire life thinking and worrying about my future. As I've gotten older I've begun to think more and more about college and a career path that will be both fulfilling and bring in a decent income. I've stressed over balancing school, activities, and a social life. An equation that doesn't include sleep. 

Until I took Honors Biology last year, I wanted to be a psychiatrist. When I realized that I'd have to take plenty more biology courses, the profession seemed an impossible task. I also wanted to do something with educational technology, something in the area of Web 2.0 tools. This too seems so out of reach because web 2.0 tools are just getting started and by the time I enter the real world I have no idea how hard the competition will be or what to expect. I also want to be an English and drama teacher. But then again, I don't know if I can spend my entire life in school! hah. 

The list of professions I've thought about by the age of 15 is pretty long, and I know there is no rush to choose right now, but I just can't help myself. This weekend I watched an episode of Oprah that featured Mary Kate and Ashely Olsen and truly changed my outlook.

They've been famous since before they could walk and have had plenty of ups and downs but they shared some great insight. Oprah had many successful young people on her show and they all said the same thing do what you're passionate about. This was comforting to me because I have so many passions that are continually growing and deepening. Even if I don't get into my dream school or take the 'ideal' path to my career, I can still be successful and live a fulfilling life. 

This 'captured thought' was extremely important to me. I really do want to live in the moment and enjoy my childhood before it's gone. I have the rest of my life to work, I don't want to look back at my high school experience thinking I stressed over the small stuff too much. This Oprah espisode really helped me understand that regardless of what occupation I have as long as I love what I'm doing everything will be okay. I still can't, and am in no rush to, choose what job I want when I grow up. I do know that I want to live a happy, fulfilling life doing things I enjoy with people I love. And whether that be overly optimistic or not, I have plenty of faith that I will reach that goal.

360 Degrees: Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day 2008, and consequently I've chosen to view this extremely pertinent issue from 360 Degrees. Poverty is such a colossal problem that it is impossible for me to even wrap my mind around the issue. With the recent economic crisis being felt all around the world, the issue of poverty is becoming increasingly frightening. What I believe is most controversial about the issue of poverty is how to fix it.

Every country has far too many people living in poverty, and there is no one right answer as to how to fix this. Terrible circumstances have made countless people homeless, while others have made poor decisions which have ruined their lives. How can this be fixed? Who is responsible for fixing this? Is it the government's job to aid the poor? Is it the individuals responsibility to donate their time and money to those who are less fortunate then them? Can a problem this massive and widespread really be fixed? 

I'd like to think that it can be fixed, but I fear that that idea is overwhelmingly idealistic. I believe that both the government as well as the individual have a responsibility to help out people around them. Of course, this is far easier said than done. There are an endless amount of ways to implement relief, and some come with high risks. It's difficult to refuse a poor man on the street when he asks for money. It breaks my heart to hear cynics say He probably just spends the cash on some beer. He isn't even trying to fix his life. Although that's a plausible idea, what if he isn't? Who am I to judge that man and deny him money that is likely more valuable to him than it is to me?

Poverty is still a major problem. No single government, no single person can fix this catastrophe. What is needed is a global effort to change the path of our modern times. Only by uniting to fight this battle can any significant, positive impact be made. Although sharing our views via blog is a great step in the right direction, we need to take action. Hopefully today will illuminate the problem and get more people involved in fighting poverty.

I'd like to conclude with a great quote that I've seen written across a picture of a beggar on the street. Keep your coins, I want change. This phrase is chillingly real and honest. Money won't fix the problem; new ideas and measures need to be taken to end poverty throughout the globe. 

Blogging Around

Jenna posted a blog about music/songs and viewed it from 360 degrees. She highlighted how one song can be so many different things to different people and also talked about different aspects of the music industry. My comment read: 

Jenna this is a great post! I really agree with what you're saying here. I think the beauty of music is that it can, and always is, viewed from 360 degrees. Artists write music hoping people will receive it well, but I personally think that any response, any emotion, is what they are looking for. To evoke emotions in someone without being face-to-face is something very powerful.

Emily posted a blog about the different views on the Academy. I think this blog conveyed her frustration with people views on our program. My comment read:

Emily this is a great point you've brought up!  I find it very frustrating being judged because of Academy. I find students outside of Academy expect more from me by way of project contribution and organization. Some people even ask me to do the entire thing because they think I'm smarter than them. Similarly, I've encountered many teachers who dislike Academy kids and call them 'elitists'. This infuriates me. Although clearly misconceptions about Academy originated from somewhere, everyone really needs to reconsider their views and interpretations.

I think the point you've hit on transfers into all aspects of life, outside of just the Glenbrook Academy. Everyone needs to keep in mind that when they judge something, especially negatively, they are often ill-informed and unaware. I think this in one advantage we get. because we have been judged based on our class placement, we understand what it's like. Hopefully people turn this into a positive and remember to avoid making this kind of mistake in their lives and in their interactions with other people.

360 Degrees: The Last Lecture

For my journalism class we have to bring a silent reading book. The book I am currently reading is called The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. There are so many brilliant ideas and issues brought up in this memoir of sorts that it's difficult to pick which one to use for this blog post. What I think is most controversial is Randy's outlook on life.

If you haven't read or heard this lecture, I highly recommend you do. It is touching and extremely valuable whether you read or watch it. It is about Randy's life and the lessons he wishes to offer to the world before he dies. He has only a few months to live and he is leaving this lecture as a message to the world.

What I find extremely interesting about this book is Randy's optimism. This man is dying and what he chooses to focus on for the remainder of his life is helping others. I think this is truly impeccable. Randy remains positive and courageous. His words are so inspiring, and believe it or not, they aren't incredibly dismal either. 

I would love to believe that if I were ever in Randy's position that I would behave in a similar fashion, but I honestly don't think I could. Although I would try to be positive, I see that as a nearly impossible task. Even though Randy doesn't have false hopes, he is still enjoying life and making the most of not only his life, but the lives of those around him.

How does Randy stay so positive? How does he even bring himself to spending so much of the end of his life writing this book? I think Randy is perhaps one of the most brilliant and wisest human beings on earth. His book is filled with insight, humor, beauty, and strength. He is relatively selfless and someone who everyone can look up to. To be honest, I can't wrap my mind around how he is who he is. I believe part of his ability to stay positive comes from his family as well as his colleagues and students. Even with all of these components, I don't know many people who would deal with Randy's situation like he has dealt with it.

How is Randy so genuine? His book is so honest and raw. His voice is so clear that although I know this book was written for his children, I still feel as though he is talking to me and wants me personally to learn these lessons. I believe that part of what makes Randy so inspiring is his honesty. He is true to who he is as a person. He acknowledges the mistakes he's made and is able to critique himself. I'd like to think that this idea of authenticity is something that people will cherish after reading his book. Although the point may be to live life to the fullest, Randy has so many other valuable lessons to teach; one of which is most certainly the power of having integrity and authenticity.

Randy's book offers the reader so much to take away from it. I suppose someone could see this as too hard to believe. That someone who is terminally ill could be this happy, this positive. I too had trouble accepting this at first, but Randy has really made me believe in the beauty of humanity. Although I encourage everyone who reads or hears The Last Lecture to take whatever they want or need to away from it, I think the message that the general public will receive is pretty much the same. 

Everyone needs to slow down and appreciate the world around them. It's never too late to improve yourself and realize how wonderful everyone around you truly is. This world has so many opportunities, and everyone owes it to themselves to follow their dreams.