This year’s annual TEDx Syracuse University event will take place Friday from 5–7 p.m. in Watson Theater. The event, which is titled “Evolve,” will feature nine speakers who will deliver talks on a range of subjects, from dealing with perfectionism to the art of taking a selfie. Pulp talked to the speakers about the topics of their talks and what messages they hope to convey.

 

Hailey Temple

Topic: The power of technology
Occupation: Senior public relations and information management and technology dual major at SU
As an SU student, Temple said her talk will aim to represent the student voice as her speech will be geared toward college students and the younger generation in relation to the role technology plays in their lives. “I hope people take away from my talk that their words and actions are a lot more powerful than they realize,” she said.

 

Bill Jensen

Topic: Are you future strong?
Occupation: Futurist and management consultant
Jensen will discuss whether the younger generation is ready for the future and the unknown. He’ll also share stories about his experiences that have prepared him to be “future strong.” “We live in such a plugged-in world that most of us never take a moment to focus on what the person in front of you is saying, and let it soak in and be part of how you are thinking,” Jensen said.

 

Petra Kolber

Topic: The perfection detox
Occupation: Founder of Moving to Happiness
Kolber’s talk aims to debunk the belief that people must strive for perfection to succeed. Perfectionism, she said, constricts people because it often hinders them from doing their best work. “I lived in the cage of perfectionism for 25 years. I’ve lived this way, and I know how it feels,” she said. “I know how it limits the way we live life, and I want people to realize their own greatness and potential.”

 

Charisse L’Pree

Topic: Psychology of selfies
Occupation: Assistant professor of communications at SU
L’Pree said the TEDx talk is a fun way to conduct research on the psychosocial aspects of selfies as an extension of self expression. “Selfies are widely disparaged, but I think that they can be used as self-esteem interventions,” she said. “I want to change the way people think about selfies, how we take, make, share and archive selfies and reclaim the selfie as art.”

 

Domingo Zapata

Topic: The healing powers of art
Occupation: Painter
Zapata, a Spanish-American artist who was born in Spain, will be painting live during his talk. “What’s exciting is that you get to express something that might have lived inside of you for a long time, and then you have an opportunity to do it in public in front of an audience,” Zapata said.

 

Sean Kirst

Topic: At the lighthouse: Why I tell stories
Occupation: Columnist at The Syracuse Post Standard
Kirst said he was honored to be chosen to speak at the TEDx event. He thinks his topic of storytelling can have powerful impact on how people perceive what’s around them. “I think whether it’s a community or an individual or a great work of architecture, I think a story determines how we see things — how we look at them,” he said.

 

Douglas Melville

Topic: Improve your diversity IQ
Occupation: Chief diversity officer for TBWA Worldwide
Melville, a Class of 1998 SU alumnus, said the TEDx talk was a great opportunity to return to his alma mater. Melville will discuss everyday tips for people to live a more diverse lifestyle. “We learn from difference and we’re comforted by commonality… You learn the most and you are challenged from people that are different from you,” he said.

 

Derek Grassman

Topic: How wind energy saved my life
Occupation: CEO of Kohilo Wind
Grassman will be talking about how his life experiences led to him inventing a new wind turbine. “The technology itself, it’s really going to help a lot of people around the world, and I feel like I’ve kind of got to get the message out there somehow. TED talks is a great platform for that,” Grassman said.

 

Ronald Taylor

Topic: To be judged
Occupation: Senior political science and policy studies dual major at SU
For Taylor, one of the most exciting parts of preparing to speak has been reflecting on what he wants to convey. It will be his second time speaking at the TEDx Syracuse event and he will perform a spoken-word piece on judgment. “I think that often times we oppress ourselves, and so that’s the main reason why my talk is necessary,” Taylor said.

Published on April 16, 2015 at 12:00 am

Contact Rachel: rcgilber@syr.edu