Soft Power

Soft power is the ability to attract and co-opt, rather than coerce (contrast hard power). In other words, soft power involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and attraction. A defining feature of soft power is that it is non-coercive; the currency of soft power is culture, political values, and foreign policies. Recently, the term has also been used in changing and influencing social and public opinion through relatively less transparent channels and lobbying through powerful political and non-political organizations.

Jerome Tana

Thu Jul 08 2021

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Curation 101: The Art of Selecting Remarkable TED Talks

The art of curating TED talks goes far beyond simply selecting interesting speakers. It's about crafting a transformative experience that sparks creativity, challenges perspectives, and ignites meaningful conversations. Whether you're organizing a TEDx event or simply interested in understanding what makes great talks stand out, here's your guide to masterful curation. Understanding the Essence of TED At its core, TED represents the convergence of three powerful domains: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. However, today's TED encompasses much more – from science and business to global issues and personal development. The best curators understand that it's not just about individual talks, but about weaving together diverse perspectives that create a cohesive narrative. Key Elements of Outstanding Talks Novel Ideas Worth Spreading The foundation of any great TED talk is an idea that challenges conventional thinking. Look for speakers who: Present fresh perspectives on familiar topics Offer solutions to persistent problems Connect seemingly unrelated concepts in innovative ways Share breakthrough research or discoveries Challenge existing paradigms with evidence-based insights Authentic Storytelling Compelling speakers don't just present information – they craft narratives that resonate emotionally. Prioritize speakers who: Share personal experiences that illuminate broader truths Use concrete examples to illustrate abstract concepts Demonstrate vulnerability and genuine passion Connect with audiences through relatable stories Balance emotional appeal with intellectual substance Practical Impact The most memorable talks bridge the gap between theory and practice. Seek presentations that: Offer actionable insights Demonstrate real-world applications Provide tools for positive change Show measurable results Inspire immediate action Creating a Balanced Program Diversity of Perspective A well-curated TEDx event should feature: Multiple disciplines and fields Various presentation styles Different cultural viewpoints Contrasting approaches to similar problems Both established experts and emerging voices Rhythm and Flow Consider the emotional journey of your audience by: Starting with high energy to capture attention Alternating between heavy and light topics Including moments for reflection Building toward powerful conclusions Creating natural transitions between talks The Curation Process Initial Research Begin with a broad search: Review recommendations from trusted sources Follow thought leaders in various fields Monitor emerging trends and breakthrough research Network within your local community Engage with academic and professional institutions Speaker Evaluation Assess potential speakers based on: Expertise and credibility in their field Speaking ability and stage presence Previous presentation experience Commitment to preparation and coaching Alignment with TED's mission and values Content Development Work with selected speakers to: Refine their core message Structure their presentation effectively Develop compelling visual aids Practice delivery and timing Incorporate feedback and improvements Best Practices for Curators Stay Current Maintain awareness of: Emerging global trends Scientific breakthroughs Social movements Technological innovations Cultural shifts Build Relationships Develop strong connections with: Previous speakers Academic institutions Industry leaders Community organizations Other TEDx organizers Think Long-term Consider the lasting impact by: Building a speaker alumni network Documenting curation processes Gathering audience feedback Measuring talk performance Sharing insights with the broader TEDx community Conclusion Successful curation is both an art and a science. It requires careful attention to detail, deep understanding of your audience, and a commitment to TED's mission of spreading powerful ideas. By following these guidelines while remaining open to innovation, you can create memorable events that inspire and transform your community. Remember that great curation isn't about finding the most famous speakers or the most dramatic stories – it's about discovering authentic voices that can share meaningful ideas in ways that move and inspire others to action.

Jerome Tana

Thu Jul 08 2021

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Advertisement :) pica - high quality and fast image resize in browser. babelfish - developer friendly i18n with plurals support and easy syntax. You will like those projects! h1 Heading 8-) h2 Heading h3 Heading h4 Heading h5 Heading h6 Heading Horizontal Rules _ Typographic replacements Enable typographer option to see result. (c) (C) (r) (R) (tm) (TM) (p) (P) +- test.. test... test..... test?..... test!.... !!!!!! ???? ,, -- "Smartypants, double quotes" and 'single quotes' Emphasis This is bold text This is bold text This is italic text This is italic text Strikethrough Blockquotes Blockquotes can also be nested... ...by using additional greater-than signs right next to each other... > > ...or with spaces between arrows. Lists Unordered Create a list by starting a line with +, -, or * Sub-lists are made by indenting 2 spaces: Marker character change forces new list start: Ac tristique libero volutpat at Facilisis in pretium nisl aliquet Nulla volutpat aliquam velit Very easy! Ordered Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet Consectetur adipiscing elit Integer molestie lorem at massa You can use sequential numbers... ...or keep all the numbers as 1. Start numbering with offset: foo bar Code Inline code Indented code // Some comments line 1 of code line 2 of code line 3 of code Block code "fences" `` Sample text here... ` Syntax highlighting ` js var foo = function (bar) { return bar++; }; console.log(foo(5)); ` Tables | Option | Description | | | | | data | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. | | engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. | | ext | extension to be used for dest files. | Right aligned columns | Option | Description | | : | : | | data | path to data files to supply the data that will be passed into templates. | | engine | engine to be used for processing templates. Handlebars is the default. | | ext | extension to be used for dest files. | Links link text link with title Autoconverted link https://github.com/nodeca/pica (enable linkify to see) Images !Minion !Stormtroopocat Like links, Images also have a footnote style syntax ![Alt text][id] With a reference later in the document defining the URL location: [id]: https://octodex.github.com/images/dojocat.jpg "The Dojocat" Plugins The killer feature of markdown-it` is very effective support of syntax plugins. Emojies Classic markup: :wink: :cry: :laughing: :yum: Shortcuts (emoticons): :-) :-( 8-) ;) see how to change output with twemoji. Subscript / Superscript 19^th^ H~2~O \<ins> ++Inserted text++ \<mark> ==Marked text== Footnotes Footnote 1 link[^first]. Footnote 2 link[^second]. Inline footnote^[Text of inline footnote] definition. Duplicated footnote reference[^second]. [^first]: Footnote can have markup and multiple paragraphs. [^second]: Footnote text. Definition lists Term 1 : Definition 1 with lazy continuation. Term 2 with inline markup : Definition 2 { some code, part of Definition 2 } Third paragraph of definition 2. Compact style: Term 1 ~ Definition 1 Term 2 ~ Definition 2a ~ Definition 2b Abbreviations This is HTML abbreviation example. It converts "HTML", but keep intact partial entries like "xxxHTMLyyy" and so on. *[HTML]: Hyper Text Markup Language Custom containers ::: warning here be dragons :::

Jerome Tana

Thu Jul 08 2021