ReadysetDC A CREATIVE URBAN ENTERPRISE

Attending TEDxPotomac

All photos courtesy of Jimmy Gardner. Via TEDxPotomac.

(Editor’s Note: Please welcome our newest contributor, Ally!)

This past Thursday, May 20th, I had the honor of attending TEDxPotomac, an educational event held at the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre on the George Washington University’s campus in Washington, D.C. For those of you who don’t know, TED is a conference and non-profit that focuses on ideas worth spreading. Most people know it to be an AWESOME website that has hours upon hours of interesting and inspirational talks form AMAZING people. TEDx is the independently organized TED-like experience created in the format of TED, also in the spirit of promoting ideas worth spreading. Upon arriving at GW the creative energy in the crowd outside the auditorium was so palpable they could have made syrup with it. I began to wonder what kind of people would pay to miss work to sit and listen to idea provoking lectures for an entire work day.

I checked in, got my TEDx badge and ticket for a free T-shirt (from a friendly face I recognized form a local DC coffeeshop), and got in line with more friendly faces I recognized from Affinity Lab. We settled into our seats and the stylish Christylez Bacon kicked off the morning with a human boom box performance accompanied by the audience singing for a wireless signal. He was followed by the lovely hosts Chris Keener and Melissa Krodman, who opened the day in a personable way declaring to the crowd the notion that ideas are like seeds and when they are cultivated they can help us grow. So the talks, performances and cultivation began.

Bob Corrigan, the product manager for the Encyclopedia of Life, discussed the names we give things and the meaning attached to the name in the context in which it is used. Berit Oskey, co-founder of Affinity Lab, discussed how co-operation in the business world is the way to go and how if the personality of a corporation were translated into the personality of a human it would be that of a psychopath. Josh Sundquist, who has only one leg, crisscrossed the stage while he entertained and motivated us all with his personal story of how he came to be on the Para-Olympic Ski Team in 2006 and how important it is to find humor in the hard things in life. R Street Collective, a literary media performance ensemble of students from Washington’s Duke Ellington School for the Arts gave us food for thought by presenting us with a powerful perspective on life.

After the first break, we were encouraged to introduce ourselves to our neighbor, telling each other about our businesses. The hosts continued to encourage this throughout the eventl by having us sit in different seats for the four quarters of the day so we would meet different people. By now I was starting to get a sense of who the people in attendance were. They appeared to be a passionate bunch from various idea industries and local businesses. There were refreshments in the cafeteria and we played “photo booth roulette” outside the auditorium. This consisted of having your picture taken with a complete stranger. I did so …but as it went, the complete stranger and I began talking and quickly became acquaintances. (A theme of the day perhaps?)

Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.org, discussed cultivating a culture of trust in social media, so people would be willing to help others. This is important because everyone (including the whole auditorium) has used, and will continue to use, Craigslist to find a roommate as well as many other things. Roshini Thinakaran, founder of Women at the Forefront, told a story of women joining together over photography in a war torn country and questioning their commitment, posing the question, “What are we doing this for?” Frances Moore Lappe, a “living democracy” advocate and world food expert, insisted we need a wake-up call on how we live and insisted that it is not possible for us human “do-ers” to know what is possible. Gever Tulley, via video, demonstrated how creative kids can be and that, when given the opportunity and the right circumstances, they might make a mini-wooden roller coaster. William Kamkwamba, via video, demonstrated how he creatively over came odds to build an energy generating windmill and how his town then gathered at his home to charge their cell phones. Lara Zam, an award-winning writer, performer, and educator discussed making art functional in society by developing social entrepreneurship that supports artists. She demonstrated the social value of theater by doing the first act of her play: “Collaterally Damaged. Make money. Make art. Make a difference.”

The energy from the audience of TEDxPotomac was still dripping off the walls when it was time for lunch. The lunch break was long enough for people to have meaningful conversations, do yoga and/or attend the drumming circle. Ideas buzzed as stomachs were satisfied.

Yoko K, electronic musician and vocalist, spoke on organic electronica music, and its ability to harmonize differences and tone in language. She then demonstrated how our voices can come together. Neil Takemoto, founder and CEO of CoolTown Beta Communities, discussed “people, planet, profit,” opensourcing, crowdsourcing and their relationship to placemaking. He highlighted the better block project in Oak Cliff, TX as an example of people coming together to positively impact their community. Dr. Shannon Hader, the director of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration within the DC Department of Health, discussed how, by gathering and using data to understand the AIDS epidemic in Washington, DC, we can more effectively control the spread of the virus. Bjarke Ingals, via video, entertained us with his presentation on using architecture to make buildings into mountains. Warren Brown, lawyer turned baker and founder of CakeLove and Love Cafe, shared insights on trust, passion, directing yourself towards greatness, and developing a natural curiosity. All life skills learned that he learned through his love for baking.

In the afternoon break, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Smith, the TEDxPotomac organizer, about how and why TEDxPotomac came about. He told me that about six months ago he was at a BarCamp “unconference” when he suggested the idea to have a TEDx conference here in Washington DC. This idea came from a passion to connect people who have the shared values of authenticity, curiosity, and generosity in a non-religious context. He described the event coming together via a pull phenomenon of passionate volunteers who were ready to connect, get involved and give back to their community.

We came back to be entertained by Luke Nielsen Spring, the amazing 7-year-old professional tap dancing wonder. Dr. Gary Wynn discussed the ins and outs of the expanding and fascinating science behind brain input and output. Colin Beavan, founder of the non-profit “The No Impact Project”, discussed redefining progress and posed the question: “how do we want to spend our lives?” Then he described his experience about going off the grid in NYC to be the no impact man. Steve Moore, president and CEO for the Washington, DC Economic Partnership discussed H St NE, Washington DC (also known as the Atlas District); how excellence touches people; how people want to be in a place where they can hang out with friends and family. He told us about the importance of public space and about the lack of widow boxes on H St NE. Pilobolus, via video, Symbiosis captured the connection two dancers have with each other.

Alexandra Cousteau, environmental expert and granddaughter of Jacques Yves Cousteau, opened with a quote from her friend saying “water is the ink that with which the poetry of life is written” and discussed how we and water fit into a larger web of life.

At the end, Patrick Smith, TEDxPotomac organizer spoke many words of thanks to all the amazing people who pitched-in to make this volunteer event materialize into the wonderful day we all enjoyed. He spoke of connecting people with shared values and interests, passionate amateurs, intrinsic purposes, shared respect and opportunities for personal growth. He then invited everyone out for the after-party happy hour.

★★★

TEDxPotomac left me inspired and my mind buzzing with ideas, and not just me, everyone in attendance was a-buzz afterward. I was in awe of the ideas and stories that were presented over the course of the day, the people who presented, and everyone who made the event come alive. I imagine I left the event feeling much like everyone else who attended; ready to go create.