At TEDxLondonSalon we heard about embodiment from Dr Jules Montague, that people with Alzheimer’s still have a sense of identity and Alzheimer’s is an important concept for them: they are here and we see them.
Dr Darren Schreiber talked us through his research into our brains’ reactions to politics, which has shown that we are hardwired not to be hardwired, that we have a tendency to help each other, to be nice to each other – old enemies can become new friends. It’s a potent message of hope for the future.
Shoshana Goldhill and Faraj Alnasser gave a hugely moving account of Faraj’s terrifying journey from Syria as a refugee and Shoshana’s humanity in opening her home and her life to him. Faraj’s reaction to his new home in the UK? ‘I can see my future. I’ve learned English. I’ve started work. I’ve got nice people around me.’
According to Kajal Odedra, society has a very limited view of power: it’s a wealthy white man. She showed how the internet has levelled out the playing field for anyone who feels they are different. It’s opened up a whole world of campaigning to people who never thought of themselves as campaigners, to allow them to gain power from their weakness.
We can’t tell you enough about Adam All and his introduction to the Drag King scene. You’ll have to watch the video and try to work out just where he was hiding all those bras.
Great minds require fuel, so we’re grateful to the following restaurants, who gave attendees a 25% discount on their food on the day of the event.
We teamed up with some generous publishers and authors to give our TEDxLondonSalon audience their very own tale from the unexpected to take away from the event. Let us know what ideas your book sparked on #TEDxLondon or how about starting your own book club?
