Can anyone really afford to be STEM-illiterate, or complacent in the fight against pseudo-science?
Are you passionate, dedicated and ready to connect with like-minded collaborators and leverage the power of big institutions?
When bionic arms and legs are better than natural ones, how will we feel about it?
Those were a few of the questions posed to a capacity crowd of 1,200 at the LaSells-Stewart Center on Feb. 12 during TEDxOregonStateU, the theme of which was “Disruption: Revolutionary and influential ideas worth spreading.”
College of Business student Aaron LaVigne, along with College of Science student Dustin Hernandes and recent OSU graduate Vinay Bikkina, organized the event. It featured five speakers, plus two TED videos, and challenged the audience to think in ways they possibly hadn’t before, such as:
Is while you’re still single the best time to work on your marriage?
Are mobile phones a game-changer for the financial services industry?
Do you know when it’s time to “drop the mic” and walk away?
“The topics were interesting and thought provoking,” said Alex Howell, a College of Business junior. “And I thought the taped TED talks were great too. That Malcolm Gladwell talk, I’ve probably seen it 10 times. He’s my favorite author.”
Gladwell spoke about how market researcher Howard Moskowitz changed the American food industry’s approach to meeting consumer needs, from a universal strategy to a taste-specific one, via a detailed study of spaghetti sauce. The other video featured psychologist Meg Jay, who specializes in helping people not to look at their 20s as a throwaway decade.
The live speakers were aerospace engineer and TV producer Emily Calandrelli, who talked about the importance of STEM literacy; Grameen Foundation Technology Center director David Edelstein, who predicted mobile phones will change the way people bank; fashion designer Michelle Lesniak, who described the emotive power of clothes; OSU Honors College student Matthew Kaiser, who spoke on bioengineering while asking if humanity is “ready for an upgrade”; and HRH Media Group president Hanson Hosein, who talked about the value of passion, dedication, collaboration and knowing when it’s time to “drop the mic” and walk toward your next challenge.
“There was something that related to everybody,” said Jessica Keune, who’s pursuing a Ph.D. in nutrition and bone health. “It’s great to get students and the general public together for these types of events.”
The “Disruption” discussion continues on Twitter, #mydisruption, and Facebook, www.facebook.com/TEDxOregonStateU.
