TED Talk Less by Olivia

TED Talk Less by Olivia - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

We all love to have our voices heard, that fact is far from a secret. Yet, as a society we struggle with the essential component of listening. Listening to others is not just remaining silent and distantly acknowledging the sounds exiting the mouths of others, rather actively engaging and digesting others' voices and spoken thoughts. If I were to give an educational TED Talk I would discuss the gap in society's ability to focus on the ideas others present and vocalize. This is because this misstep is just one link in a chain that develops an empathetic and smooth running society. If we live in a place where the sole focus is on oneself and each individual neglects to value the opinions and beliefs of others, we will be in a state of isolationism. Granted, being independent and autonomous are crucial aspects of life; nevertheless, the prioritization society has begun to place on emphasizing oneself is slowly dragging us down. We have engrained within ourselves the idea that the individual must do everything in his or her power to rise up, even if that means stepping on the heads of others to make the climb to the top.

As we all attempt to have our voices heard simultaneously, it just becomes a sea of voices washing away any possibility of each water drop of a voice maintaining an impact. Within a TED Talk, as with any call to action in life, it is important to not just identify a problem, but also a solution. With this, I would propose a few possible remedies to aid in alleviating the effects of this growing issue. First, the TED Talk itself would be a form of remedy. This is because the largest reason people do not work to fix a problem is that they are unaware that it exists. The TED Talk, along with other forms of awareness, would bring about self-reflection and recognition that the complication does endure. Once the existence of the issue is acknowledged, the steps to mitigating its effects are feasible. These steps include the promotion of support systems and discussion based forums, rather than competition. I am a firm believer in competition and its positive benefits, but there is a time and place. In our increasingly individualistic and polarized society, discussions and forums would aid in the considerations of the sentiments of others and hold discourse rather than arguments. A well-informed population is better for all and the ideal forms of knowledge are well-rounded and consider all sides to the issues. Ultimately, a population that emphasizes and celebrates the different ideas, backgrounds, and experiences of others is one that is better for all. We must stop talking every once in a while to not only hear, but engage with the voices of others. Collaboration is key, and this elementary thought that so many learn before their multiplication tables has slipped through the cracks of society and must be restored.

We must listen to others. When a society promotes the concept that we must speak out for what we believe in, we fail to remember this voice will never be heard if we are all shouting at the same time. We must talk less and listen to the voices of others. Varying perspectives develop a greater understanding of a topic. We should not only talk less and listen more, but also engage with the voices of others. Conversation is the only way change is enacted. Just a single voice or all voices at once will never accomplish the triumphs so many aspire to obtain, but if we stop to consider and debate amongst each other, a successful, knowledgeable, and prosperous society is finally within reach.