TED Talk: Broadening Our Horizons by Bryce
Bryceof Calhoun's entry into Varsity Tutor's July 2017 scholarship contest
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TED Talk: Broadening Our Horizons by Bryce - July 2017 Scholarship Essay
TED Talks are short (less than eighteen minutes long) presentations given by a wide array of people at conferences around the world. They are often recorded and uploaded so that each TED Talk adds to a collective database of knowledge made freely accessible via the internet. The topics of Ted Talks vary widely including motivational stories from those who suffer with rare diseases, intriguing accomplishments of fresh new innovators and inventors, curious ideas about changing the status quo, and profound conclusions about life, purpose, and being successful. This incredible diversity in ideas and areas of expertise serves as a reminder that the world consists of much more than what we encounter.
A TED Talk of my choice would focus on the essential nature of encountering spheres of knowledge beyond our own. To begin I would share my childhood experiences with trying new things. My father and grandfather sought out new opportunities for me in even the smallest things. We always ordered the most interesting food and we always ate at a restaurant I had never been to. I had my hair cut at every barber shop and salon we could find. We travelled lots, and visited many different churches along the way. My father believed that it was important to see the entire spectrum before deciding where we fit. He also believed that in order for people to get along they had to understand some about where each other came from. My TED Talk would include the many bits of wisdom and reasoning that I gathered from my father over many years. In it I would stress keeping an open mind to concepts and customs that may seem ridiculous but have a hidden purpose, and the importance of placing ourselves in situations that make us feel vulnerable. I would challenge the audience to intentionally seek to broaden their horizons and explore people, places, and ideas they know little about. Through witnessing and partaking in the experiences of others we are able to draw on a wider base of knowledge when making decisions and more fully evaluate the consequences of our actions. By broadening our horizons to include other people and perspectives we can draw on our innate human similarities and eliminate much of the conflict produced by ignorance and closed minds. Seeking out the perspectives, values, and ideas of other people is crucial to forming a world community that pulls together to accomplish great things instead of tearing apart under pressure.
The quest to broaden my horizons has made me into the person I am today, and it has enabled me to impact the lives of many others through shared experiences and understanding. I believe that by encouraging people to go beyond their comfort zone and expand their horizons we can create a community of people who are searching to learn and understand each other; a community of people who are open minded and better equipped to make crucial decisions because of that. Ultimately I believe that broadening our horizons is essential, and that a TED Conference provides many resources for facilitating and spreading that mindset.