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12 big ideas from this year’s TEDxCharlotte -- and what they mean for Charlotte

By Richard Brooke

TEDxCharlotte was this past Friday, and if you were smart enough to not follow me on Twitter, you missed a Tweetstorm of ideas coming out.

I know not everyone could attend due to work, prior engagements, etc. and the full videos from the talks are not up yet. So while those videos are being produced, here’s a recap of the ideas that were at this year’s TEDxCharlotte.

Framework of Otherness — Jonell Logan

Big Idea: What you learn at museums should be analyzed just as critically as any other source of information, especially if it is presented in the form of art.

What sparked this idea: Logan — who is black — was observing a piece of art that was painted by a black artist. An older, white patron commented to her that “You must be really excited to see your culture here.”

What it means for Charlotte: There are many museums and art galleries here in Charlotte. While we visit them and learn from them, we must ensure that we analyze the information that we are processing and not take them at face value.

We can crack the Code in Charlotte: Computer Science education equals opportunity — David Jessup

Big Idea: We can close the achievement gap by focusing on computer science in school classrooms.

What sparked this idea: Jessup’s background in computer science and as an educator inspired a fusion of these two fields.

What it means for Charlotte: Our horrendous social mobility numbers can reverse course if we focus on computer science — and other STEM courses — in our education system.

What Trauma taught me about resilience — Charles Hunt

Big Idea: Resilience is the biggest indicator of success.

What sparked this idea: Hunt’s past was tumultuous — filled with family members abusing drugs and alcohol and being in and out of jail. His view of resilience inspired him to look at others who had a similarly rough upbringing to observe their resilience.

What it means for Charlotte: Not a lot here specifically for the city. More of a broader life and worldview talk.

Discovering new beer and food flavors hiding in your backyard insects — Anne A. Madden

Big Idea: There are yeasts all throughout the world that could unlock new flavors for food and drink that we don’t know about … and beer is an excellent testing ground for it.

What sparked this idea: Madden and her team discovered a yeast in the belly of a wasp that they used to create a new beer flavor that no one had tasted before.

What it means for Charlotte: Someone is probably going to open a brewery based around wasp yeast.

Education isn’t the only thing, it’s everything — James Ford

Big Idea: To fix issues of income inequality, poverty, social mobility, political division, etc., we need to focus on the education system.

What sparked this idea: After being awarded N.C.’s Teacher of the Year, Ford began to look at education reform.

What it means for Charlotte: The problems that surfaced in our city last month — income inequality, stratification, lack of social mobility — can be addressed long-term by addressing issues in education.

[Listen to the CharlotteFive Podcast episode featuring James Ford here.]

Paths to Polymathy — Ben Vandgrift

Big Idea: Polymaths (i.e. masters in many fields; encyclopedic knowledge) are not born — they are made.

What sparked this idea: Ben studied the learning habits of great minds from the past.

What it means for Charlotte: Much like Hunt’s talk, not a lot that’s specific for the city. More of a broader life and worldview talk.

The Illusion of Gender — Lara Americo

Big Idea: The only person who gets to decide your gender expression is you.

What sparked this idea: Americo drew immensely from her personal experiences and her life. Americo is a transgender woman.

What it means for Charlotte: Americo’s talk comes as the city and state is grappling with gender identity in the wake of Charlotte’s nondiscrimination ordinance and House Bill 2.

Stuffed and Starved: Why the world is both and what we can do about it — Mark Moore

Big Idea: Our world — especially our nation — has an uneven view of nutrition. Most people either fall on the side of malnutrition or overnutrition.

What sparked this idea: Mark Moore works in the field of nutrition.

What it means for Charlotte: Again, not a lot here specifically for the city. More of a broader life and worldview talk.

More than 100 words on 100 words — Scott Galloway

Big Idea: Communicating briefly is an effective way to communicate but can only be mastered if you make an effort.

What sparked this idea: Scott Galloway is the executive director of the 100 Words Film Festival here in Charlotte.

What it means for Charlotte: You should go to the 100 Words Film Festival, but also listen to Scott Galloway on the CharlotteFive Podcast.

The Surprising Solution to the Impostor Syndrome — Lou Solomon

Big Idea: Impostor Syndrome affects millions of people daily, and does not need to go unchecked. Imposter syndrome is a feeling of phoniness and unworthiness when it comes to people thinking about success.

What sparked this idea: Solomon drew immensely from her personal experiences and her life.

What it means for Charlotte: More of a “not-specific-to-the-city” but I imagine there are many people in this city that need this advice — ask for help, and recognize the value of your work.

You ARE an Idea Person — Laurie Smithwick

Big Idea: Ideas are not a moment; ideas are a process.

What sparked this idea: Laurie studied the formation of ideas and inventions from the past.

What it means for Charlotte: Again, “not-specific-to-the-city” but can definitely be applied to all projects.

The Power of Beauty — Naeem Fazal

Big Idea: Beauty is the solution to fear.

What sparked this idea: Naeem looked at civilizations and how beauty was utilized.

What it means for Charlotte: If we reinvest in beauty and the arts, we are making progress as a city.

Photo: Corey Inscoe

This story was originally published October 31, 2016 at 12:21 AM with the headline "12 big ideas from this year’s TEDxCharlotte -- and what they mean for Charlotte."

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