TED Talks

So last month was the annual TED (Technology Entertainment Design) conference in LA, this is where a lot of important people meet up to network and share ideas, with guest speakers talking about all sorts of things. Since then TED have been uploading new videos on to their website of these talks, I have selected a few of the ones which I have found to be either interesting, or motivational.

Paul Gilding talking about The Earth is full.
Have we used up all our resources? Have we filled up all the livable space on Earth? Paul Gilding suggests we have, and the possibility of devastating consequences, in a talk that's equal parts terrifying and, oddly, hopeful.

Kevin Allocca talking about Why videos go viral
Kevin Allocca is YouTube's trends manager, and he has deep thoughts about silly web video. In this talk from TEDYouth, he shares the 4 reasons a video goes viral.

The debut of the British Paraorchestra
There are millions of prodigiously gifted musicians of disability around the world, and Charles Hazlewood is determined to give them a platform. Watch the debut performance of the British Paraorchestra at TEDxBrussels. 


Robots that fly and cooperate
Vijay Kumar and his team of university grads build flying quadrotors, small, agile robots that swarm, sense each other, and form ad hoc teams -- for construction, surveying disasters and far more.


The power of introverts
In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

So let me know what do you think and what are your favorite videos on TED talks. This is just a small selection of what TED offers which as you can see covers everything from music to YouTube.

30 Day Challenge: No Sugar Diet

So after being inspired by the TED talk about trying something new for 30 days, Alexandra (Swedish traveling friend) and me have both decided to cut out sugar from our diets for the next 30 days. Might also have had something to do with the amount of chocolate and sweets we had while I was visiting Sweden recently.

We are going to start on the 16th Feb, yes I'm sure your thinking that is when this blog got posted, and finish on the 16th March. Have just spent the last couple of days in the build up to this, while writing this I'm trying to finish the last bottle of cider in my flat (2351), this has meant while at work today I have enjoy all the things I won't get over the next 4 weeks. Such as chocolate tarts, a couple of slices of birthday cakes, and the odd sweet. Does not help me working in a catering company at all.

We spent the past couple of days sorting out the rules for this, had a look around online at various sugar free diets and came up with the following.

Not Allowed
       Chocolate, sweets, alcohol (just finished the cider 2359), ice cream, pastries, cookies, cakes, desserts, pies, squash (as in concentrate juice), flour meaning white bread, rice, pasta, all kinds of jams and marmalade's, all kinds of foods with refined sugars (cooking sauces, soy sauce), sports drinks.

Allowed 
       Fruit, Fresh juice (long as no added sugar), raisins, nuts, veggies, cereals without added sugar, whole wheat bread, rice, pasta, milk and unsweetened yoghurt, eggs.

Well wish us luck, some of the staff at work I think are taking bets to see how long I last.

The start of it all

The main theme of this is going to be about various 30 day challenges I will undertake, inspired by a TED talk given by Matt Cutts. I will most likely also go off on random about anything else which comes to mind, as well as highlights of my past 3 years of traveling around the world and the craziness of working in the catering industry in the UK.