TED Talk Tuesday #113: Why art thrives at burning man

Watching TED Talks is a popular pastime at CN&CO. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. This week’s talk was posted by Carel who has attended seven TED conferences and can’t wait for TEDWomen in Palm Springs at the end of the year.

My great mate Christo Crafford (some call him my evil twin, others my better twin!) introduced me to TED. At the time I was rather scathing, saying it was like a poor version of Burningman, the life-changing festival I had been attending for a few years and which has influenced – immensely – my leadership style and how I think about brands.

However, Christo can be persuasive (Read: bloody irritating) and like when he made me sign up for Emirates’ loyalty programme (best ever!) he was right. TED was and is amazing.

And so I thought this talk rather fitting – both TED and Burning Man (and art in general, another passion of mine) are special because they encourage “engagement” and “curiosity”. And if one is truly in-the-moment and curious (open!) to learn and share, the world – in my experience – is a way more fun and better place.

So enjoy this talk and let’s all strive for more curiosity and being engaged with all that is around us.