TED Talk Tuesday #258 – Healthy debate!

TED continues to spread ideas and help us all be better critical thinkers. Watching, listening and talking about TED Talks is a popular pastime for many in the CN&CO community. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh, learn or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations and business opportunities. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. It’s also a way that the CN&CO team play their part in spreading ideas and helping to make the world a better place. This week’s TED Talk was picked by Carel Nolte.

Well, actually this week, I have not chosen a talk, but a playlist:

“Talks to support a healthy debate.”

I love a good debate – especially with clever people. And people whose views are different from mine. People who are of a different generation and background often bring perspectives I find incredibly valuable. These differing views help me to either crystalise my own perception and views on reality and issues or, at times, helps me to change my view when new and better arguments are presented.

Of course, I don’t always get it right. Sometimes I argue without listening. I share my views without truly hearing the other person’s ideas. And so this playlist was a great reminder of the tools available to foster better debate. My number one (work hard at this – sometimes not succesfully!) is to remain calm and to debate with respect for the other person – and yourself!

In a world which is polarised and where society often wanst to push us into corners of black and white, these talks help me to navigate the greyness and to see the power of changing my mind.

Enjoy!