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Archives for December 2013

15 Memorable TEDxMileHigh Quotes From 2013

TEDxMileHigh seeks to engage and inspire the people of Colorado with meaningful talks about important topics in our state and beyond. Naturally, certain moments are going to stand out and some quotes will be remembered long after they have been spoken. Here is a list of 15 memorable quotes from TEDxMileHigh’s three events of 2013: TEDxYouth@MileHigh in April, TEDxMileHigh in June, and TEDxMileHigh in November. Which of these is your favorite? And what quotes did we miss? Let us know in the comments. Happy New Year!

TEDxYouth@MileHigh:

1. “We’re just mirrors for miracles.” –Ballet Nouveau Colorado and Lighthouse Writer’s Group

Context: What happens when history, ballet and poetry collide? Take a journey through 19th-century Colorado mining camps and tales of the landmark Gates Rubber Factory through this poignant and uplifting performance of original poems from young writers and original dance from young dancers.

2. “So, join me, young leaders, join me. Let’s enjoy what we’ve been given and let’s dare to better understand ourselves, those who are different, and our surroundings while traveling at a pace we were designed to.” –Jonathon Stalls: Life at 3MPH

Context: What if we all lived life at 3 mph? Wayfarer Jonathon has walked thousands of miles over the last few years in response to that question, including an across-country walk to raise support for Kiva.org. In this riveting talk, Jonathon asks us to question the design of our cities, and implores the audience to get out of the car, off the bike, and into a slower state of mind.

3. “People really want to be a part of something successful. They want to be in a group that truly takes action and makes a difference.” –Emma Hutchinson: Combining Learning, Action, and Impact

Context: How can young people combine learnings, action and impact? Follow high-school senior Emma Hutchinson on a campaign to create large-sclae, lasting environmental change in her hometown in this informative talk.

4. “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” – Ryan Ford: Parkour and the Art of Play

Context: Do you parkour? In this presentation — part performance, part talk — athlete and entrepreneur Ryan Ford shows that the art of movement is intrinsically human, and asks us to remember childhood, when we used our bodies to create, and enjoy, our world.

5. “Choose your expedition partners wisely in life.” –Erik Larsen: Equipping a Generation of Explorers

Context: If you were choosing teammates to explore some of the most extreme terrain on earth, how would you decide? In this informative talk, polar explorer Eric Larsen explains his method for decision-making through his incredible stories of epic adventures.

TEDxMileHigh in June:

1. “We are moving even if we choose not to.” –Minor Disturbance: Movement

Context: In this powerful performance, Denver’s young slam poetry team Minor Disturbance channels the force of this electric form of artistic expression. Touching our felt memory of the social justice movement, dignity, hope and conflict, they represent the Mile High City at the highest levels of the slam scene.

2. “We need to preserve our pop culture history because we are losing so much of our cultural heritage.” –Alexandre Philippe: Why Pop Culture?

Context: What is the role popular culture plays in expressing our values of community? Take a fresh look at the icons that our collective consciousness brings to the surface and the rituals that celebrate them with this entertaining documentary filmmaker.

3. “A history of moral progress is how humanity thinks about slavery, war and torture.” –Michael Huemer: The Progress of Liberalism

Context: Is the world becoming a better or worse place to live? Philosopher Michael Heumer looks back to history to understand the trend of humanity’s values – and what he finds may surprise you.

4. “Access to bikes can eliminate the barrier of distance between girls and education. Bikes can change lives.” –Shannon Galpin: Two-wheeled Revolution

Context: How can the bicycle be a vehicle for social justice? Humanitarian Shannon Galpin is using the bike to help raise women and girls’ voices in conflict zones. In this inspiring talk, Shannon shares her work in Afghanistan with women through the creation of the Afghan Women’s National Cycling Team.

5. “We have a responsibility to build community. If we don’t, we can’t fix healthcare.” –Jandel Allen-Davis: The River of Health

Context: Why is our healthcare system broken? What would it take to improve it? In this artistic talk, Jandel Allen-Davis makes a case for creating more connected communities to better our health and lower the cost of staying well.

TEDxMileHigh in November:

1. “The thing that binds together all humanity is inquiry.” –Sara Volz:Using Science to See What No One Has Seen Before

Context: Sara Volz, 18, is a freshman studying molecular biochemistry at MIT with plans to become a professor and researcher. In March, the Intel Foundation recognized Sara as the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search winner for her work developing more efficient methods to produce algae biofuels using artificial selection. In this talk, she describes her method and passion for experimenting with algae as biofuel.

2. “We can extend the life cycle of our resources.” –Bara’h Odeh: Connecting Culture, Clothes, and Community

Context: Born and raised in the Dheisheh Refugee Camp, Bara’h Odeh is working to expand the Palestinian economy through second-hand markets. In this brave talk, Bara’h explains the historic, cultural and economic drivers of her idea worth sharing.

3. “How we do foster these values of collaboration and personal and community interest?” –Julia Hutchins: How Cooperative Businesses Can Answer Tough Business Challenges

Context: How can cooperative ventures solve problems where competitive markets fail? In this eye-opening talk, Julia Hutchins shows how this model has been used to get electricity to rural houses in America, and how they may change entire sectors in the future.

4. “Creativity really is a kind of deviance, of delinquency.” –Katherine Giuffre: How Social Networks Drive Creativity

Context: How do communities spark creativity? Social network researcher Katherine Giuffre shares what she learned studying what was, at the time, arguably the most creative culture in the world — on an island in the South Pacific.

5. “Our libraries are there, doing whatever our communities need.” –Pam Sandlian Smith: What to Expect From Libraries in the 21st Century

Context: Why do we still need libraries in the age of digital, real-time information? In this emotional talk, Pam Sandlian Smith shows how she works to use the library as a hub for community-based knowledge creation and discourse.

Do you remember any memorable quotes from 2013 events? What did you take away? 

Top 10 Most Viewed TEDxMileHigh Talks of 2013

As 2013 winds down, we would like to take a moment to look back on the most popular talks (by viewcount only!) from TEDxMileHigh events. Listed below are the ten most viewed Talks from the three TEDxMileHigh events this year: TEDxYouth@MileHigh, TEDxMileHigh in June, and TEDxMileHigh in November. The talks from November continue to see growth – so this list may change shortly.  Let us know which is your favorite and what you want to see at our events next year!

#10. Adam Brock: The Taste of Bioregional Cuisine

Event: TEDxMileHigh (June)

Views: 1,456

Description: What would be for dinner if we ate bio-regional cuisine? Would you eat a cactus from Colorado? In this eye-opening talk, Adam Brock argues for a food system that works with, not against, Colorado’s high-plains climate.

#9. Michael Huemer: The Progress of Liberalism

Event: TEDxMileHigh  (June)

Views: 1,521

Description: Is the world becoming a better or worse place to live? Philosopher Michael Heumer looks back to history to understand the trend of humanity’s values – and what he finds may surprise you.

#8. Minor Disturbance: Movement

Event: TEDxMileHigh  (June)

Views: 1,711

Description: In this powerful performance, Denver’s young slam poetry team Minor Disturbance channels the force of this electric form of artistic expression. Touching our felt memory of the social justice movement, dignity, hope and conflict, they represent the Mile High City at the highest levels of the slam scene.

#7. Shannon Galpin: Two-wheeled Revolution

Event: TEDxMileHigh  (June)

Views: 1,839

Description: How can the bicycle be a vehicle for social justice? Humanitarian Shannon Galpin is using the bike to help raise women and girls’ voices in conflict zones. In this inspiring talk, Shannon shares her work in Afghanistan with women through the creation of the Afghan Women’s National Cycling Team.

#6. The Watergirls: Music from the Flooded Community of Lyons, Colorado

Event: TEDxMileHigh  (November)

Views: 1,846

Description: Lyons, Colorado is known for its community of artists and musicians. But after massive flooding in September, 2013, the entire town of a little more than 2,000 people was evacuated as homes and businesses washed away. In this powerful performance, six of the community’s talented women — KC Groves, Lauren Ling, Bonnie Payne, Enion Pelta Tiller, Cynthia Renwick, Sally Truitt, and Monica Whittington — share their songs, virtuosic playing and ringing harmony touching our sense of resilience, hope, and community.

#5. DJ CaveM Moetavation: Hip-hop and Food Justice

Event: TEDxYouth@MileHigh

Views: 2,461

Description: DJ CaveM Moetavation is a hip-hop artist, educator, and raw-foods fanatic. In this fresh performance, DJ CaveM brings the message of being an O.G. (organic gardener) to the head-bobbing audience of TEDxYouth@MileHigh.

#4. Bara’h Odeh: Connecting Culture, Clothes, and Community

Event: TEDxMileHigh  (November)

Views: 3,053

Description: Born and raised in the Dheisheh Refugee Camp, Bara’h Odeh is working to expand the Palestinian economy through second-hand markets. In this brave talk, Bara’h explains the historic, cultural and economic drivers of her idea worth sharing.

#3. Jonathon Stalls: Life at 3MPH

Event: TEDxYouth@MileHigh

Views: 3,487

Description: What if we all lived life at 3 mph? Wayfarer Jonathon has walked thousands of miles over the last few years in response to that question, including an across-country walk to raise support for Kiva.org. In this riveting talk, Jonathon asks us to question the design of our cities, and implores the audience to get out of the car, off the bike, and into a slower state of mind.

#2. Ryan Ford: Parkour and the Art of Play

Event: TEDxYouth@MileHigh

Views: 5,347

Description: Do you parkour? In this presentation — part performance, part talk — athlete and entrepreneur Ryan Ford shows that the art of movement is intrinsically human, and asks us to remember childhood, when we used our bodies to create, and enjoy, our world.

#1. Easton LaChappelle: 3D Printing in Animatronics

Event: TEDxMileHigh (June)

Views: 65,914

Description: How is 3D printing changing the future of prosthetic and animatronic limbs? Tinkering with this new technology 17-year old inventor Easton LaChappelle is creating robotic limbs with strength and dexterity beyond human, and will create new models for custom prosthetics in the not-so-distant future.

The Healthcare Scrimmage

Two Challenges

1.) 50% of patients who lose a limb to diabetes will lose their second within two years due to low levels of mobility.

FitBionic provides top-quality prosthetics to people who have lost a limb to diabetes at a super-affordable price (see this TEDx talk).  Committed to lowering the rate of second amputations, they will be using the Scrimmage to explore how they can most effectively enable physicians to monitor their diabetic patient’s mobility levels using FitBit trackers in real time. This will ensure patients are living active lifestyles, reducing their chances of multiple amputations.

2.) An estimated 1.7 million hospital patients – 4.5 of every 100 admissions – suffer from hospital-acquired infections each year, causing or contributing to the deaths of nearly 100,000 people.

Sharklet, has developed germ-resistant bandaids and catheters by mimicking shark-skin, and is using the Scrimmage to see how they can create a tipping point in hospitals to adopt their bacteria-free supplies.  With how frighteningly common hospital-acquired infections are (and with hospitals being penalized for each occurrence), having bacteria-free supplies will be an industry game-changer.

Meeting the Two Challenges (and nine more) at a Scrimmage

In the true TED spirit of promoting ideas worth spreading, ReWork organizes Scrimmages, or day-long “hackathons,” to bring together people who care about making a positive social impact – and more importantly, to teach them how to apply their professional skills to real problems presented by some of the most innovative organizations in the community.

The Scrimmage gathers 80-100 talented professionals and organizes them into small teams with 10-12 mission-driven organizations (like FitBionic – of which past speaker Eythor Bender is CEO – RxRevu and Children’s Hospital Orthopedics Institute). These teams are then tasked to create new solutions to challenges they’re facing in their work. A host of mentors who are experts in relevant skills and fields also join the fray to guide the creative process.

Scrimmages are designed to challenge everyone in the room to think differently about problem-solving by teaching a skill called Rapid Prototyping. The technique was developed by Tom Chi, who used it with his team at Google to create revolutionary products like Google Glass and the Self-driving Car.

The idea of Rapid Prototyping is to test ideas and concepts in the real world – fast – before spending a lot of time and money to see if they work. The goal for the event is that by the end of the day, each team will have generated innovative solutions with actionable next steps for these team leaders to implement in their organizations.

And instead of learning about Rapid Prototyping through lectures and reading materials, Scrimmages challenge attendees to grasp these concepts immediately by actually applying them to real problems in the community.

At the end of the day, each attendee walks away with a whole new paradigm for solving problems, the thrill of experiencing what it feels like to apply their talents to meaningful problems, and valuable connections with like-minded professionals who care about making Colorado a better place.

The Healthcare Scrimmage

Specifically focused on health and healthcare, the upcoming Healthcare Scrimmage will be held on December 14th in Boulder at the Impact Hub. Doctors from the Children’s Hospital, local health-tech startups, and select Colorado-based non-profits will be showcasing specific challenges they are facing in their departments or businesses.

No particular education or professional background is necessary to attend – just your brain, enthusiasm, and passion to make a difference in just one day!

TEDxMileHigh last supported ReWork for The Rocky Mountain Scrimmage with the TEDxMileHigh Prize last fall (read more about our experience here), and we’re excited to be able to rally our community behind such a unique experience again.

In the words of Tom Chi:

“Defining a problem is an extremely creative activity. By not drawing a clear and compelling problem, you are cheating your team out of an incredible unifying and driving energy… In business a lot of other factors are at play, but design thinking, problem defining/solving and visual communication can give you a huge leg up in terms of advancing your work and your career.”
At the Healthcare Scrimmage, team members will be able to roll up their sleeves and be a part of conversations that shape the future of some of the most impact-driven companies in Colorado.

For more information, or to sign up for the Scrimmage, please click here.

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