Precisely why one of the greatest thinkers (j Krishnamurti) referred to words as not representing the real fact of the matter not theoretically but actually
Homosexual activists understand the power of words.
Please visit my channel to watch a one-minute video clip in which popular atheist author Richard Dawkins admits that homosexual activists "hijacked the word 'gay'".
The word "homosexual" is more appropriate and accurate because it, unlike the word "gay", actually describes the behavior/attraction/relationship being discussed.
The word "gay" helps homosexual activists push their agenda.
I can definitely relate to a lot of what she said. What also bears mentioning is that once you've learned how to deal with adversity, if you can keep the same positive attitude and motivation to excel when the adversity passes, then your life becomes far richer than it would have been previously.
American culture really seems to exclude anyone that isn't normal looking. That's what makes the polarization happen. Really hope that doesn't spread to other countries.
@crudhousefull That's the only thing you got out of this speech? Blaming American culture? You're a fucking dumbass. What country are you from? I guarentee I can find many stories like this in ANY country. You're are just so stupid to think that because this American women is speaking up its an American culture thing? Damn you're stupid.
@BenMJay I'm from Sri Lanka...and I've lived in the US. That statement wasn't just based on this video. It IS a culture thing. How many countries have you lived in? I've lived in Egypt, Czechoslovakia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and of course Sri Lanka. What makes you think that you are more able to compare cultures than me?
Interesting to see physical alterity and honestly compelling to learn from that heuristic.
With rising rates of psyche dysfunction across increasingly unequal societies, the speaker's testimony of a divine aesthetic of empowered presence, parallel's that of eloquent silence at the coordinates of invisible disability.
Wow we live in a cynical world. 134 dislikes???? I wish those people would realize that she is speaking to them. It doesn't matter what people have said or done to you, you don't have to respond in anger and cynism Embrass the positive side of life and remember you can be happy.
I do. This lecture contains nothing of interest. Her only proposed action is to treat those with conditions as different instead of "disabled". This is nothing new and if you waited until 2011 to figure this out, maybe you are "disabled" yourself.
This lecture is twenty minutes long. If she had made the point in four minutes, maybe I would have given it a thumbs up instead.
P.S. Did you really watch this entire motivational clip only to leave an unoriginal comment like that?
I love this ....Aimee Mullins is an inspiration for me and Im going to make a change in my environment . I have alopecia areata unversalis. An autoimmune disease that has robbed me of my hair. As a female and in a society where appearance plays such an importance, I am also going to work very hard on changing those perceptions of what beauty is.
Thanks folks at TEDtalksDirector, & of course a standing ovation to Ms Aimee.
To hear her articulate her points is an inspiration in itself. She has a motivation beyond anything you read, in motivational books.
I thought I had a tenacious disposition but Ms Aimee blows me away!
For all who believed in the human race - Ms Aimee is a fine example of the human spirit embracing adversities as an opportunities for us to learn ( "DANCE", she said - I love that verb ! ) about our own capabilities. *
Please visit my channel for the unpopular truth about homosexuality.
A person does not need hatred or any kind of phobia in order to acknowledge important differences between heterosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption and homosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption. Even non-religious people know this.
Homosexual activists, with support from the media, have successfuly framed themselves as noble victims; it's an effective way to push a social agenda.
A whole TED Talk based on her low self-esteem? What a waste. Who cares? That's a self observation, and a negative one at that. Just write a book about it, instead of wasting important events like these.
@heathrelawrence grumpy, alone, angry and sad = Hurt and Needing and Wanting and most importantly ... deserving. that last one will be a big challenge for people.
Please visit my channel for the unpopular truth about homosexuality.
A person does not need hatred or any kind of phobia in order to acknowledge important differences between heterosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption and homosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption. Even non-religious people know this.
Homosexual activists, with support from the media, have succeeded at framing themselves as noble victims; it's an effective way to push a social agenda.
@DimitriRytsk The point of the speech is something which is easily forgotten in a high technology society. Your life is not the total number of problems you found solutions to. Science teaches us to think like that but it is only part of the truth. That is the external effect we have on our environments. Your life is something else. It is the courage, the perseverance and the ingenuity with which you struggle with your problems. Because that is what makes us what we are.
@DimitriRytsk No. That's backwards. She says we NEED problems SO that we can learn these things, which is different. Science's illusion is that life is solving problems. You can't "solve life". You look down on other beliefs, but all your assumptions are false. 1) I’m Buddhist living very comfortably in Japan. 2) I learned this from art, not religion. 3) Science can make no comment, because it concerns subjective choice, not objective facts, so it can be tested and experienced, but not proved.
if there's a common and a typical, there's a normal. she wants to criticize the culture use of words but she's attacking the word itself, not it's use.
she wants to be seen as disabled but not as what the thesaurus equates with disabled. Why not just take the position that she's not disabled now? Disabled does mean not able, broken, mangled. She wants to say she's disabled but able which is a contradiction. I think her message is to realize that we don't need to accept restrictions, to realize we can transcend our givens, become able. But her words seem to indicate that she can't rise above the word disabled, only above what disabled meant.
Greetings to a fellow writer; could you please enlighten me why you think her speech seems to indicate she cannot rise above the word disabled ? I thought she fully accepts her physical condition as part of any whole human body - not a disability at all, and that her physical condition was never any impairment towards achieving her goals. Your reply would be most appreciated.
I prematurely gave this video a thumbs up. why is it most of the women on TED simply talk about themselves, while the men tend to talk about IDEAS (or rather, Technology, Entertainment and Design).
If I could rate again... I give this a thumbs down.
@marcdaddy33 She IS talking about ideas, her experience is directly related to it, she speaks from first hand knowledge rather than something ethereal. I am grateful that she is vulnerable and powerful enough to share her story so that the ideas of adapting and empowerment connect so vividly.
no disrespect but who is the older gentleman behind ms. mullins who will NOT stop looking at her legs? the younger man is looking at her straight in the face, listening intently and this old man can't even keep his eyes off her bottom half. wtf?
the term 'disabled' seems to have lost much of that thesaurus connotation in certain segments of the society. Obviously, growing up, Aimee wasn't aware of that definition: Her 'language' has moved beyond the imposition of the standard definition. Isn't that the more valuable point, that she, and people like her, has found success because for them (and those who helped them along the way), language is already evolving, even though the printed thesaurus hasn't.
It's a powerful speech, but I am still annoyed by handicapped people who get mad at people no matter what they call them.
I'm not disabled, I'm differently abled. I'm not handicapped, I'm specially gifted. I mean honestly, understand what people are trying to say and stop being offended by every single thing.
@jff0nly must be those who are mentally disabled, at least to some capacity. I mean no harm to those who are really mentally disabled. I mean only to denegrate those who think they are not but have a limitation in seeing the truth. Immature people come to mind first.
i've watched quite a few of these videos,,,yet i could'nt help not notice,,,almost every one o fthese vids,,U commented "I CHOPPED HER LEGS OFF" or something to that effect,,why???!!!THIS lady is a very abled individual,,,whereas YOU,,my dear lady,are a very mentally DISABLED individual,,,,,u really need to seek professional help,and fast!!!!
@TatianaSword Hey Tatiana - Maybe one day, you'll get to do a TED Talk about the wonderful liberating power of cynical backchat. I can't wait. Until then, I guess you'll have to settle with internet trolling. But hey... One day, yeah?
i think she is wonderful i dont understand why these people put bad commments about this woman she is a hero in my eyes i guess you have to have a disability to understand what she says but i would just like to say YOU ARE AWESOME AIMEE MULLINS I WISH I COULD BE LIKE YOU !!! THANKS STACY BUSH
One's personal perspective on adversity and challenge makes all the difference on how the challenge is met and overcome. And if we don't think that this is true then we need to remind ourselves to look at the proof. Case in point -- Aimee Mullins. Her name should be committed to a dictionary to mean "a state of positive attitude necessary to adapt and deal effectively with adversity."
@SomethingSoOriginal she bombed this speech mostly because she missed bringing in the crowd. People can benefit from her story, but the speakers skill of communicating to the crowd was missed. The speech came off selfish. Its a me me me speech. Not a us, we, everyone speech. Content is cancelled by delivery. People stood out , giving the ovation out of politics, not passion. Tough experience for a speaker...I don't think she got the crowds vibe. She missed the mark on this talk..hope she learns.
@KharamiSunato Look at all she has accomplished, and if you have ever been the one who was hurt, judged, made fun of, you can only appreciate that she has managed to become a BEAUTIFUL, SUCCESSFUL, HELPFUL, CARING human being who spends her life trying to help other people find their power. She inspires MANY people! Thank GOD she is willing to share her positive, helpful point of view regarding adversity. There is absolutely nothing selfish about this.
I think Ms Aimee may be allowed some degree of vulnerability? I detect in her words (when she said as a person born with a disability, it is heartbreaking enough w/o society or medical establishment pronouncing you may never walk normally) an appeal to us, not to impose another "illness" upon handicapped persons how they cope with it. She just showed her vulnerability - by sharing her personal experience with this additional 'illness'. Thank you.
@preacherZer0 Meta enable? What is that? A cyborg's vision? This is not Bladerunner, Terminator, A.I, Bicentenial Man, or Matrix movie!! We have to remember that we are still Humans! So yes, humanly speaking, she is 'Disabled' (with the literal meaning of the word) You cannot close your eyes on that. However, overcoming all her difficulties, we should be proud of her courage. She's a very strong individual that we have to congratualate and generally support competitions like Special Olympics
People make such a strong association between the word disabled, and disabled people, that they forget that it is a word that 'may' also be used to describe people with certain characteristics, but which has it's own pre-existing meaning.
@preacherZer0 Meta enable? What is that? A cyborg's vision? This is not Bladerunner, Terminator, A.I, Bicentenial Man, or Matrix movie!! We have to remember that we are still Humans! So yes, humanly speaking, she is 'Disabled' (with the literal meaning of the word) You cannot close your eyes on that. However, overcoming all her difficulties, we should be proud of her courage. She's a very strong individual that we have to congratualate and generally support competitions like Special Olympics
Can anyone verify the "streaming trials" she comments on near the end of the talk (19minutes) as a case study in Britain when they moved from Grammar Schools to Comprehensive system - I can find no evidence this three month period ever happened? Please help.
And herein lies a problem...People become stronger, tougher, better through adversity and struggle. If we remove the adversity/struggle and make the world safe,sterile and equal - we have no more stronger, tougher, better people?
I agree with and love her message, but I disagree with her premise. She opens with a list of words that are synonymous with disabled, and she makes them out to be something that's a little misguided. Words are given value and meaning whether positive or negative. She obviously doesn't like the conceptualization of this word, but if you alter the meaning of it, then it essentially loses its value.
Basically what I'm trying to say is if you don't like the word, then use a different one.
Personally, I think one should go the other way with the word issue. A disabled person is one who lacks a certain necessary ability. If the word does not fit a person - as Aimee claims that it does not fit her, they should not use it to describe themselves, rather than attempt to change the meaning.
@AdvocateToTheAccuser "If the word does not fit a person - as Aimee claims that it does not fit her, they should not use it to describe themselves, rather than attempt to change the meaning." Fantastic comment.
@AdvocateToTheAccuser I agree with you,and I teach many disabled children and adults who are the tops in equestrian sports .One most also remember,there are many classifications of disabled people.Some mental and some physical.I have helped many overcome many challenges,and I believe we shouldn't put labels on them,regardless of the circumstances . Not necessary to make such a big issue about it,as she does in the beginning of her speech.,
I also want to say that I love this woman. Every thing that I value about myself, I developed while dealing with adversity. I feel her message is great.
I want to say, I feel the problem here is ascribing more meaning to words and labels than we should. Why should we define someone whose body is crippled by their disability? Why do we not simply see it as their legs being disabled? Why is the PERSON disabled? That to me is the problem.
Some of us never reach or challenge our limitations!
Having taught scuba diving to physically challenge people I discovered these people had reached inside and challenged the outside discriminations ! Through diving they found a world where there is less gravitiy thus less demands on their body! What is interesting is that I feel more comfortable with these divers as they have a deep understanding what they are capable of doing and not take on dum risk to themselves or their buddy.
A lot of commenters have already pointed out this, it really is dishonest on her part to quote the thesaurus when trying to create overtly and unnecessarily emotional environment. It obviously didn't work, at least for me. It looks pathetic when she chokes trying to read the list.
The thesaurus serves me fine when I'm searching for the right word in a particular context, thank you very much. And no, none of those "tear-inducing" words come to my mind when I see a disabled person.
Some of these negative comments lead me to believe that there are some people here who are mentally *disabled*. "Our language affects our thinking and how we view the world and how we view other people"...priceless. Excellent presentation by this woman. :D
@party489 ....Perhaps you should appreciate a little more the fact that you do have two legs to walk and run on, and not to metal sticks like she has. I dont know her but it seems like she has been thur a hell of a lot and her story can inspirs others, regardless of it being a women or a man speaking
I did not want to sound too negative. All of them have probably accomplished more than I or most will anytime soon and have good messages. So props to all the ladies and anyone taking the stage.
Hmmm. Something for a TEDtalk was lacking with this one. Not bad overall but not the 5 stars and new knowledge I have been spoiled with with some talks. This presentation was disabled. I am going to get thumbed down and I do not mean to be sexist but the female speakers are only ok-good instead of good-great. Anyone else?????
I think some folks treat the Internet as a "free" licence to nitpick on other people's accomplishments. Ms Aimee's physical disability is nothing to sneer at; yet she bravely shares her positive attitude with everyone - including those who scoff at her "disability".
Female speakers are only "ok-good"? What a prehistoric creature !
Great... all we need is one more person to make a lifetime goal of calling out for terms like "little people", "gravitationally challenged" and "differently abled". That's fantastic
Yes, why they aim to bring to talks people who doesn´t usually gives talks/classes? Just because you have an interesting background/life situation doesn´t mean you gonna make an interesting talk
Insightful, and daring to question some of the obvious social and medical traditions. Thank you Ms. Mullins - some of us are disabled in various fashions, but you dare to speak to the ongoing definitions that continue to restrain us, and at times, define us.
Why would you use a thesaurus. Why not use a dictionary?.... This young lady may be disabled and in fact, without Her artificial legs, She, by definition, certainly is. Perhaps we should remember that millions are born and/or afflicted by way worse physical "adversity" than herself. I see her point and it's inspiring. But it's a lil' naive....
So, a thesaurus lists synonymns for all uses of a word.
When I see, wrecked beside the word disabled, I think of a disabled vehicle, backing up traffic.
To imply that the average person is so dumb that they are going to equate wrecked with a physically handicapped person in this manner is arrogant and wrong. Don't underestimate one group trying to defend another.
I first heard this perspective when I was a kid. I embraced it because I found it self-evident.
I really respect this, in the terms that if she were speaking to an elementary school she could change her listeners' lives in a positive way. In a forum designed for the better minds of the world? She's not saying anything new. Valuable to a certain audience, and important, and eloquently said in some respects, potentially revolutionary even, but I expect innovation from TED.
Her whole life has become about proving to people that her life isn't about her disabilities. It's ironic and transparent. Does she know her fake legs are too long? Ridiculous presentation.
I respect what you have said. But I really think you have missed what she was trying to say. In a general sense she is commenting on the importance of 'struggle' for individuals in the process of self actulaizaion. I would say her life is about proving that negative 'labels' and 'ideas' that are very subtle and ingrained in society. Have a counter intuatively constructive effect of providing a solid narrative in peoples lives. I take alot from this as I am dyslexic and can emphasize with it.
Yawn. I broke my arm once. So my arm was wrecked, fragmented, shattered, cracked, smashed, damaged, ruined, destroyed, malfunctioning, faulty, defective, out of order, broken-down, kaput, conked-out, worn-out, wrecked, had it, busted, bust, licked, defeated, dejected, crushed, dispirited, without hope.
Yeah, doesn't work does it? Only a drooling idiot would not know which meaning of the word to apply in context.
It's interesting how someone born without the mechanical parts to stand and walk still has the capability in their brains to learn all the nuances of balance and momentum. I know it's kind of obvious, but it's just ponderous.
I commend you, TED, on bringing Aimee back, yet again.
As your motto is "Ideas worth spreading" it is EQUALLY important to educate and inspire individuals to challenge the traditional ideologies. I find this video particularly interesting as it was spoken to the brightest minds in the medical field (being it was given at TEDMED).
You are doing a great job at sharing ideas, not only in technological advancements, but in cultural understanding. Thanks! I loved it!
like this one. isn't this about the world's leading thinkers and doers? redefining the word "disabled" is really just completely irrelevant. there is often more then one sense for any given word. to take the synonyms for "disabled" so personal and then lecture on it for twenty minutes is just unnecessary.
talk about science, invention, discovery. not this.
@Desarollo Very well said sir. She's basically taking the definition of "disabled" way out of context and getting overemotional.
I work with a guy who lost both his legs because of diabetes-- that guy doesn't mind being called disabled, because the fact is that he IS. He doesn't get hurt when people call him disabled, and say "hey, I'm not useless, impotent, or mangled!" because he knows that's not what people mean.
This strikes me as a pity feature on TED even though she's doing fine.
@Desarollo Behind science technology and discovery are enough people who will assure you that just like her, they learned their intelligence not despite adversity, but because of it. Ask Stephen Hawkings.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
this bitch has so much of negativity filled in her even after growing up in a civilized world with all the medical and other help made available to her from her birth.
She should visit African and east Asian countries that are torned apart by Civil wars where children suffer mutilations of severe kind and still are in high spirits even when they don't have access to basic necessities such as water food and enough clothing..
Precisely why one of the greatest thinkers (j Krishnamurti) referred to words as not representing the real fact of the matter not theoretically but actually
psubvaidya 3 days ago
Speech was quite repetitive.
PrimeParadox 1 week ago
Great talk. Just went around in circles, but the message was definitely taken!
PrimeParadox 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Homosexual activists understand the power of words.
Please visit my channel to watch a one-minute video clip in which popular atheist author Richard Dawkins admits that homosexual activists "hijacked the word 'gay'".
The word "homosexual" is more appropriate and accurate because it, unlike the word "gay", actually describes the behavior/attraction/relationship being discussed.
The word "gay" helps homosexual activists push their agenda.
lightandbeautiful 1 week ago
I can definitely relate to a lot of what she said. What also bears mentioning is that once you've learned how to deal with adversity, if you can keep the same positive attitude and motivation to excel when the adversity passes, then your life becomes far richer than it would have been previously.
benthemagnificent 2 weeks ago
I want to be inside of her
Trinitysx 2 weeks ago
American culture really seems to exclude anyone that isn't normal looking. That's what makes the polarization happen. Really hope that doesn't spread to other countries.
crudhousefull 1 month ago in playlist More videos from TEDtalksDirector
@crudhousefull you mean humanity... Thats what you mean to say..
FlaggDies 2 weeks ago in playlist Favorite videos
@crudhousefull That's the only thing you got out of this speech? Blaming American culture? You're a fucking dumbass. What country are you from? I guarentee I can find many stories like this in ANY country. You're are just so stupid to think that because this American women is speaking up its an American culture thing? Damn you're stupid.
BenMJay 1 day ago
@BenMJay I'm from Sri Lanka...and I've lived in the US. That statement wasn't just based on this video. It IS a culture thing. How many countries have you lived in? I've lived in Egypt, Czechoslovakia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and of course Sri Lanka. What makes you think that you are more able to compare cultures than me?
crudhousefull 1 day ago
She should have her legs a little shorter and fatter and nobody'd be able to tell the difference.
crudhousefull 1 month ago in playlist More videos from TEDtalksDirector
Interesting to see physical alterity and honestly compelling to learn from that heuristic.
With rising rates of psyche dysfunction across increasingly unequal societies, the speaker's testimony of a divine aesthetic of empowered presence, parallel's that of eloquent silence at the coordinates of invisible disability.
antuerius 1 month ago
Has anyone found more info on the "the streaming trials"
jthornj 1 month ago
Wow we live in a cynical world. 134 dislikes???? I wish those people would realize that she is speaking to them. It doesn't matter what people have said or done to you, you don't have to respond in anger and cynism Embrass the positive side of life and remember you can be happy.
Sentreefuge 2 months ago
Easily the hottest speaker at TED ever.
DaylightDigital 2 months ago
well being disabled is a bad quality, why does she expect good definitions in the dictionary? damn hippies nowadays.
JohnF30Music 2 months ago
@jff0nly
I do. This lecture contains nothing of interest. Her only proposed action is to treat those with conditions as different instead of "disabled". This is nothing new and if you waited until 2011 to figure this out, maybe you are "disabled" yourself.
This lecture is twenty minutes long. If she had made the point in four minutes, maybe I would have given it a thumbs up instead.
P.S. Did you really watch this entire motivational clip only to leave an unoriginal comment like that?
FromMuToYou 2 months ago
I love this ....Aimee Mullins is an inspiration for me and Im going to make a change in my environment . I have alopecia areata unversalis. An autoimmune disease that has robbed me of my hair. As a female and in a society where appearance plays such an importance, I am also going to work very hard on changing those perceptions of what beauty is.
Thank you Aimee Mullins
baldnfabulous 2 months ago
Is there a practical or mechanical reason why her prosthetic legs are proportionately longer than everyone else's ?
Dredefecto 2 months ago
Thanks folks at TEDtalksDirector, & of course a standing ovation to Ms Aimee.
To hear her articulate her points is an inspiration in itself. She has a motivation beyond anything you read, in motivational books.
I thought I had a tenacious disposition but Ms Aimee blows me away!
For all who believed in the human race - Ms Aimee is a fine example of the human spirit embracing adversities as an opportunities for us to learn ( "DANCE", she said - I love that verb ! ) about our own capabilities. *
leolee1959 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Please visit my channel for the unpopular truth about homosexuality.
A person does not need hatred or any kind of phobia in order to acknowledge important differences between heterosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption and homosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption. Even non-religious people know this.
Homosexual activists, with support from the media, have successfuly framed themselves as noble victims; it's an effective way to push a social agenda.
lightandbeautiful 2 months ago
nice er, bra
SpicyHam 2 months ago
Aimee, you are more enabled than most people are today... Definitely not disabled!
TheNickaay 2 months ago
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A whole TED Talk based on her low self-esteem? What a waste. Who cares? That's a self observation, and a negative one at that. Just write a book about it, instead of wasting important events like these.
johndoe7033 3 months ago
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johndoe7033 3 months ago
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johndoe7033 3 months ago
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johndoe7033 3 months ago
Grumpy, angry, alone, and sad people who feel a lack of power in their lives?
heathrelawrence 3 months ago
@heathrelawrence grumpy, alone, angry and sad = Hurt and Needing and Wanting and most importantly ... deserving. that last one will be a big challenge for people.
mindnumber9 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Please visit my channel for the unpopular truth about homosexuality.
A person does not need hatred or any kind of phobia in order to acknowledge important differences between heterosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption and homosexual attraction / behavior / marriage / adoption. Even non-religious people know this.
Homosexual activists, with support from the media, have succeeded at framing themselves as noble victims; it's an effective way to push a social agenda.
lightandbeautiful 3 months ago
nice dress
TheLovejitsingh 3 months ago
I did not get the point of the speech. There is not problem. There is not solution ether.
DimitriRytsk 3 months ago
@DimitriRytsk The point of the speech is something which is easily forgotten in a high technology society. Your life is not the total number of problems you found solutions to. Science teaches us to think like that but it is only part of the truth. That is the external effect we have on our environments. Your life is something else. It is the courage, the perseverance and the ingenuity with which you struggle with your problems. Because that is what makes us what we are.
leconfidant 3 months ago
@leconfidant Ah. I see your point now: All have problems and the solution is to ‘struggle’ with ‘the courage, the perseverance and the ingenuity’
I may agree that you read bible. But not everyone has problems as you do. Nether your Judeo-Christian advices are useful anymore to solve them.
DimitriRytsk 3 months ago
@DimitriRytsk No. That's backwards. She says we NEED problems SO that we can learn these things, which is different. Science's illusion is that life is solving problems. You can't "solve life". You look down on other beliefs, but all your assumptions are false. 1) I’m Buddhist living very comfortably in Japan. 2) I learned this from art, not religion. 3) Science can make no comment, because it concerns subjective choice, not objective facts, so it can be tested and experienced, but not proved.
leconfidant 3 months ago
People say differently abled, not disabled. Unless it's to refer to not capable.
ReX342 5 months ago
if there's a common and a typical, there's a normal. she wants to criticize the culture use of words but she's attacking the word itself, not it's use.
lsmayhew1 5 months ago
she wants to be seen as disabled but not as what the thesaurus equates with disabled. Why not just take the position that she's not disabled now? Disabled does mean not able, broken, mangled. She wants to say she's disabled but able which is a contradiction. I think her message is to realize that we don't need to accept restrictions, to realize we can transcend our givens, become able. But her words seem to indicate that she can't rise above the word disabled, only above what disabled meant.
lsmayhew1 5 months ago
@lsmayhew1
Greetings to a fellow writer; could you please enlighten me why you think her speech seems to indicate she cannot rise above the word disabled ? I thought she fully accepts her physical condition as part of any whole human body - not a disability at all, and that her physical condition was never any impairment towards achieving her goals. Your reply would be most appreciated.
leolee1959 2 months ago
Our language hardly affects the way we view the world, see Sapir-Whorf hypothesis or linguistic relativity.
Frustrating to listen to from a linguistics point of view.
Inspiring life story.
reekamay 5 months ago
LOL I HATE THOSE BANDS TOO AND THEYRE EVERYWHERE I LOOK IN MY HOUSE>>> MY HUSBAND IS A DPT>>>LOL
amandaatpowerhouse 5 months ago
I so want to shag her.
CymroGoch 5 months ago
She should do porn... that would be interesting. :)
stalkingalizee 6 months ago
if she wasnt hot, you shallow ppl focusing on her looks would not even know her.
chefawkes 6 months ago
I prematurely gave this video a thumbs up. why is it most of the women on TED simply talk about themselves, while the men tend to talk about IDEAS (or rather, Technology, Entertainment and Design).
If I could rate again... I give this a thumbs down.
marcdaddy33 7 months ago
@marcdaddy33 She IS talking about ideas, her experience is directly related to it, she speaks from first hand knowledge rather than something ethereal. I am grateful that she is vulnerable and powerful enough to share her story so that the ideas of adapting and empowerment connect so vividly.
duckinmypants 5 months ago
no disrespect but who is the older gentleman behind ms. mullins who will NOT stop looking at her legs? the younger man is looking at her straight in the face, listening intently and this old man can't even keep his eyes off her bottom half. wtf?
thekaochan 7 months ago
this women is so amazingly sexy
edenite 7 months ago 31
@edenite *woman.
911toothache 2 months ago
We think in words... there is a clear need to reshape them.
DraskyVanderhoff 7 months ago
A beautiful and smart girl that don't allowed an handicap stop her. I think we should learn something from her attitude...
Pestenera78 8 months ago
Sarif Industries TV Spot
watch?v=jdERgfgB9Yc
abram730 9 months ago
Beautiful in EVERY WAY! Luv U!
lindabphoenix 9 months ago
Her definition of disabled is very exaggerated....
MrTuber84 9 months ago
I've never seen this description in the dictionary and I think I'll never see !
lucie8111 10 months ago
her thought process is yum
i would so eat her brains ♥
fatherdeath1973 11 months ago
Ammie...you are truely an awesome person and elevate us all in your mission.
teachermitch32 11 months ago 2
Any one else catch the old my checking her bum out at 10:23?
Lionelrm 11 months ago
the term 'disabled' seems to have lost much of that thesaurus connotation in certain segments of the society. Obviously, growing up, Aimee wasn't aware of that definition: Her 'language' has moved beyond the imposition of the standard definition. Isn't that the more valuable point, that she, and people like her, has found success because for them (and those who helped them along the way), language is already evolving, even though the printed thesaurus hasn't.
huberthlin 11 months ago
awesome lady, with so much to share, she is obviously an angel!
cherylfauvel 11 months ago 2
I love you Aimée!
elefteria44 11 months ago
It's a powerful speech, but I am still annoyed by handicapped people who get mad at people no matter what they call them.
I'm not disabled, I'm differently abled. I'm not handicapped, I'm specially gifted. I mean honestly, understand what people are trying to say and stop being offended by every single thing.
passiveMenis 11 months ago 2
well, yeah, that's what disabled means. If you're not any of those things don't call yourself disabled lol
ryandrums1001 11 months ago
112 dislikes ... who the hell dislikes this
jff0nly 1 year ago 28
@jff0nly must be those who are mentally disabled, at least to some capacity. I mean no harm to those who are really mentally disabled. I mean only to denegrate those who think they are not but have a limitation in seeing the truth. Immature people come to mind first.
teachermitch32 11 months ago
@jff0nly
Twisted f***ed up people who think disabled people should stay disabled.
Mokurentate 2 months ago in playlist TALK
@jff0nly "normal" people?... lol...
saraswuati 2 weeks ago
as far as the definition means, disabled is accurated. Let's not change the word and hide the meaning, that is Orwellian.
TAXtheAtheist 1 year ago
i think she's perfectly fine!
sinofasin 1 year ago
Thank you for the lesson.
TypicalHuman 1 year ago
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I once fingered her anusss
TatianaSword 1 year ago
@TatianaSword
There is a good chance that the piece of 4 x 2 is going to leave splinters in yours when it happens you twat.
TrOLLKiLLeRs1 1 year ago
@TatianaSword
i've watched quite a few of these videos,,,yet i could'nt help not notice,,,almost every one o fthese vids,,U commented "I CHOPPED HER LEGS OFF" or something to that effect,,why???!!!THIS lady is a very abled individual,,,whereas YOU,,my dear lady,are a very mentally DISABLED individual,,,,,u really need to seek professional help,and fast!!!!
ryu1970206 1 year ago
@TatianaSword Hey Tatiana - Maybe one day, you'll get to do a TED Talk about the wonderful liberating power of cynical backchat. I can't wait. Until then, I guess you'll have to settle with internet trolling. But hey... One day, yeah?
leconfidant 3 months ago
i think she is wonderful i dont understand why these people put bad commments about this woman she is a hero in my eyes i guess you have to have a disability to understand what she says but i would just like to say YOU ARE AWESOME AIMEE MULLINS I WISH I COULD BE LIKE YOU !!! THANKS STACY BUSH
bush420841 1 year ago 2
So damn sexy. I dont like blondes but you have it girl grrrrrrr.
MILLSTREETMED 1 year ago 2
omg her lisp is so sexy...I absolutely adore it :-)
javierdiaz1910 1 year ago
Attitude is EVERYTHING
FissureFilms 1 year ago
what kind of disability does she have?
Heidelbuam 1 year ago
@Heidelbuam hemimelia... she was born with missing fibula bones and had to have her legs amputated below the knee...
xiomilolo 1 year ago
Very moving speech.
vestrisator 1 year ago
She's kind of fiery; 80s rock-starish + intellectual civl rights + high IQ.
johntkooz 1 year ago
Those in the position of power have the power to ignite the power in the young ones, and they also have the power to crush their dreams.
Thank you Charles Murray, you sick piece of shit.
Mrmoc7 1 year ago
One's personal perspective on adversity and challenge makes all the difference on how the challenge is met and overcome. And if we don't think that this is true then we need to remind ourselves to look at the proof. Case in point -- Aimee Mullins. Her name should be committed to a dictionary to mean "a state of positive attitude necessary to adapt and deal effectively with adversity."
MrAnthonyVance 1 year ago
Great speech but LOL at the reluctant standing ovation.
SomethingSoOriginal 1 year ago
@SomethingSoOriginal she bombed this speech mostly because she missed bringing in the crowd. People can benefit from her story, but the speakers skill of communicating to the crowd was missed. The speech came off selfish. Its a me me me speech. Not a us, we, everyone speech. Content is cancelled by delivery. People stood out , giving the ovation out of politics, not passion. Tough experience for a speaker...I don't think she got the crowds vibe. She missed the mark on this talk..hope she learns.
KharamiSunato 9 months ago
@KharamiSunato Look at all she has accomplished, and if you have ever been the one who was hurt, judged, made fun of, you can only appreciate that she has managed to become a BEAUTIFUL, SUCCESSFUL, HELPFUL, CARING human being who spends her life trying to help other people find their power. She inspires MANY people! Thank GOD she is willing to share her positive, helpful point of view regarding adversity. There is absolutely nothing selfish about this.
Grubba22 9 months ago 4
@Grubba22
I agree, I do not see anything selfish in her speech.
leolee1959 2 months ago
@KharamiSunato
Greetings Fellow Writer,
I think Ms Aimee may be allowed some degree of vulnerability? I detect in her words (when she said as a person born with a disability, it is heartbreaking enough w/o society or medical establishment pronouncing you may never walk normally) an appeal to us, not to impose another "illness" upon handicapped persons how they cope with it. She just showed her vulnerability - by sharing her personal experience with this additional 'illness'. Thank you.
leolee1959 2 months ago
sooooooooo attractive on soooo many levels. have my children please o.O?
eTernaLBOWLING 1 year ago
I would marry you in a heart beat....
javierdiaz1910 1 year ago 5
I ♥ her to javierdiaz1910
SiliconBong 2 months ago
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I'd f**k her till she could not walk .... lol
TheGrahamBrechin 1 year ago
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I'd fuck her till she could'nt walk... lol
TheGrahamBrechin 1 year ago
What is the will to life but the will to power?
AsifVidios 1 year ago
She is an absolutely incredible woman. Just...wow.
Much respect to her indomitable spirit.
Love~~~
enjoythemelody 1 year ago
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@preacherZer0 Meta enable? What is that? A cyborg's vision? This is not Bladerunner, Terminator, A.I, Bicentenial Man, or Matrix movie!! We have to remember that we are still Humans! So yes, humanly speaking, she is 'Disabled' (with the literal meaning of the word) You cannot close your eyes on that. However, overcoming all her difficulties, we should be proud of her courage. She's a very strong individual that we have to congratualate and generally support competitions like Special Olympics
Neueregel 1 year ago
fake emotion
leparditas 1 year ago
I found this video very inspirational!
jeanneendo 1 year ago
People make such a strong association between the word disabled, and disabled people, that they forget that it is a word that 'may' also be used to describe people with certain characteristics, but which has it's own pre-existing meaning.
hisnameisfrankie 1 year ago
Society labels her disabled, yet she could dust many, many "able bodied" professional sprinters.
She's speaking at TED and you and I are not.
She's strong, fiercly intelligent and insightful.
She's not disabled... meta enabled maybe, but DIS-abled? No way.
She is an alpha female human with augmented legs... She's more "able" then 99% of the ignorant fools who would think of her as "disabled".
preacherZer0 1 year ago 52
@preacherZer0 Meta enable? What is that? A cyborg's vision? This is not Bladerunner, Terminator, A.I, Bicentenial Man, or Matrix movie!! We have to remember that we are still Humans! So yes, humanly speaking, she is 'Disabled' (with the literal meaning of the word) You cannot close your eyes on that. However, overcoming all her difficulties, we should be proud of her courage. She's a very strong individual that we have to congratualate and generally support competitions like Special Olympics
Neueregel 1 year ago
@preacherZer0 actually, many of us DO speak at ted ... right here in the comments section. :)
mindnumber9 2 months ago
Weird
rainbowrandolph9 1 year ago
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She's hot. I think I would feel wired having sex with a chick who has no legs.
rainbowrandolph9 1 year ago
@rainbowrandolph9 Grow up will you ;)
cyberdaemon 1 year ago
what a powerful speech!! Thank you!!!!! She is amazing!!!
ENAIRAMA1 1 year ago 3
But... it isn't her disability that defines her... her disability is... a... disability...
spleenblender 1 year ago
she's hot
JetSetForLife 1 year ago
This is one of my all-time favorite TED talks. That's saying a lot!
DavidWilliamson1982 1 year ago
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for fucks sake, a cripple has a better life than me. stupid bitch
southsydney 1 year ago
the only true disabillity is a crushed spirit
jasonx1214 1 year ago 3
Can anyone verify the "streaming trials" she comments on near the end of the talk (19minutes) as a case study in Britain when they moved from Grammar Schools to Comprehensive system - I can find no evidence this three month period ever happened? Please help.
MIXOLYDIAN123 1 year ago
And herein lies a problem...People become stronger, tougher, better through adversity and struggle. If we remove the adversity/struggle and make the world safe,sterile and equal - we have no more stronger, tougher, better people?
MIXOLYDIAN123 1 year ago
I agree with and love her message, but I disagree with her premise. She opens with a list of words that are synonymous with disabled, and she makes them out to be something that's a little misguided. Words are given value and meaning whether positive or negative. She obviously doesn't like the conceptualization of this word, but if you alter the meaning of it, then it essentially loses its value.
Basically what I'm trying to say is if you don't like the word, then use a different one.
Masterphan 1 year ago 3
Personally, I think one should go the other way with the word issue. A disabled person is one who lacks a certain necessary ability. If the word does not fit a person - as Aimee claims that it does not fit her, they should not use it to describe themselves, rather than attempt to change the meaning.
AdvocateToTheAccuser 1 year ago 4
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@AdvocateToTheAccuser "If the word does not fit a person - as Aimee claims that it does not fit her, they should not use it to describe themselves, rather than attempt to change the meaning." Fantastic comment.
ross259 1 year ago
@AdvocateToTheAccuser I agree with you,and I teach many disabled children and adults who are the tops in equestrian sports .One most also remember,there are many classifications of disabled people.Some mental and some physical.I have helped many overcome many challenges,and I believe we shouldn't put labels on them,regardless of the circumstances . Not necessary to make such a big issue about it,as she does in the beginning of her speech.,
diamondkal 10 months ago
This video should have a different title.
ecstatica23 1 year ago
I also want to say that I love this woman. Every thing that I value about myself, I developed while dealing with adversity. I feel her message is great.
t3tsuyaguy1 1 year ago
I want to say, I feel the problem here is ascribing more meaning to words and labels than we should. Why should we define someone whose body is crippled by their disability? Why do we not simply see it as their legs being disabled? Why is the PERSON disabled? That to me is the problem.
t3tsuyaguy1 1 year ago
Some of us never reach or challenge our limitations!
Having taught scuba diving to physically challenge people I discovered these people had reached inside and challenged the outside discriminations ! Through diving they found a world where there is less gravitiy thus less demands on their body! What is interesting is that I feel more comfortable with these divers as they have a deep understanding what they are capable of doing and not take on dum risk to themselves or their buddy.
watervermin 1 year ago 2
A lot of commenters have already pointed out this, it really is dishonest on her part to quote the thesaurus when trying to create overtly and unnecessarily emotional environment. It obviously didn't work, at least for me. It looks pathetic when she chokes trying to read the list.
The thesaurus serves me fine when I'm searching for the right word in a particular context, thank you very much. And no, none of those "tear-inducing" words come to my mind when I see a disabled person.
hereiam1900 1 year ago
she is really hot
SilenceCallsTheMovie 1 year ago 3
extraordinary woman
dumbnetworks 1 year ago 3
This Lady has an MC Hammers outfit on from his music video Cant Touch This.
imperiallion 1 year ago
Some of these negative comments lead me to believe that there are some people here who are mentally *disabled*. "Our language affects our thinking and how we view the world and how we view other people"...priceless. Excellent presentation by this woman. :D
okesaita 1 year ago 2
Wow! This was an amazing speech. Very inspiring!
MsButtercup12 1 year ago 17
@party489 ....Perhaps you should appreciate a little more the fact that you do have two legs to walk and run on, and not to metal sticks like she has. I dont know her but it seems like she has been thur a hell of a lot and her story can inspirs others, regardless of it being a women or a man speaking
Hestrada84 1 year ago 3
I did not want to sound too negative. All of them have probably accomplished more than I or most will anytime soon and have good messages. So props to all the ladies and anyone taking the stage.
party489 1 year ago
Hmmm. Something for a TEDtalk was lacking with this one. Not bad overall but not the 5 stars and new knowledge I have been spoiled with with some talks. This presentation was disabled. I am going to get thumbed down and I do not mean to be sexist but the female speakers are only ok-good instead of good-great. Anyone else?????
party489 1 year ago
@party489 You clearly meant to be sexist and believed it yourself or you wouldn't have prefaced it that way. I totally disagree with you.
Alanabunny 2 months ago
@Alanabunny
I think some folks treat the Internet as a "free" licence to nitpick on other people's accomplishments. Ms Aimee's physical disability is nothing to sneer at; yet she bravely shares her positive attitude with everyone - including those who scoff at her "disability".
Female speakers are only "ok-good"? What a prehistoric creature !
leolee1959 2 months ago
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She looks like a grasshopper
Burdell22000 1 year ago
Great... all we need is one more person to make a lifetime goal of calling out for terms like "little people", "gravitationally challenged" and "differently abled". That's fantastic
Leobons 1 year ago
Aimee Mullins should be on Tyra Banks' BIO Campaign. BIO stands for Beautiful Inside Out.
JusBleezy 1 year ago 4
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her speech is quite rambling and not too interesting. TED has really taken a dive in quality this year. who is sponsoring this, the US government?
2008Raw2008 1 year ago
Yes, why they aim to bring to talks people who doesn´t usually gives talks/classes? Just because you have an interesting background/life situation doesn´t mean you gonna make an interesting talk
Burdell22000 1 year ago
@2008Raw2008 I agree,lol !!
diamondkal 7 months ago
Wow, nice to see all the belittling comments by the trolls on this clip. I don't get what these trolls get out off degradation. :-/
ogrish84 1 year ago 3
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"I don't get what these trolls get out off degradation. :-/ "
Your attention, it would seem.
blackchimp99 1 year ago
No, she´s trolling TED with an horrible talk, we are just writing truths
Burdell22000 1 year ago
No, you just need to get hit by a car an die a slow painful death. We are just telling you the truth. :)
ogrish84 1 year ago
I already did that, so I must be appearing in TED anytime soon with an inspiring talk!!
Burdell22000 1 year ago
I look forward to seeing you on dead on TED but I think ever other person does not care. We are just telling the truth. :)
ogrish84 1 year ago
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>>I look forward to seeing you on dead on TED
Burdell22000 1 year ago
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>>I look forward to seeing you on dead on TED
Burdell22000 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
>>I look forward to seeing you on dead on TED
Burdell22000 1 year ago
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I don't get what these trolls get out off degradation. :-/
Burdell22000 1 year ago
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You are the troll
Burdell22000. We are just telling you the truth. :)
ogrish84 1 year ago
Insightful, and daring to question some of the obvious social and medical traditions. Thank you Ms. Mullins - some of us are disabled in various fashions, but you dare to speak to the ongoing definitions that continue to restrain us, and at times, define us.
GlassArtist07 1 year ago 3
if i had her disability i would of have three legs!
bowflexor 1 year ago
DILF
FOUADMKHAN 1 year ago
ah ha! I think I see what you are saying. Hmmmm
pikiwiki 1 year ago
i thought shes gonna tell about diversity which would would basically mean importing more black and colored people
beeqool 1 year ago
Why would you use a thesaurus. Why not use a dictionary?.... This young lady may be disabled and in fact, without Her artificial legs, She, by definition, certainly is. Perhaps we should remember that millions are born and/or afflicted by way worse physical "adversity" than herself. I see her point and it's inspiring. But it's a lil' naive....
theumprobable 1 year ago
So, a thesaurus lists synonymns for all uses of a word.
When I see, wrecked beside the word disabled, I think of a disabled vehicle, backing up traffic.
To imply that the average person is so dumb that they are going to equate wrecked with a physically handicapped person in this manner is arrogant and wrong. Don't underestimate one group trying to defend another.
I first heard this perspective when I was a kid. I embraced it because I found it self-evident.
Her story is inspiring.
ParrhesiaJoe 1 year ago
I really respect this, in the terms that if she were speaking to an elementary school she could change her listeners' lives in a positive way. In a forum designed for the better minds of the world? She's not saying anything new. Valuable to a certain audience, and important, and eloquently said in some respects, potentially revolutionary even, but I expect innovation from TED.
hurricanexsam 1 year ago
Her whole life has become about proving to people that her life isn't about her disabilities. It's ironic and transparent. Does she know her fake legs are too long? Ridiculous presentation.
planetdarwin 1 year ago
it probably gives people with disabilities hope.
cmonneah 1 year ago
I respect what you have said. But I really think you have missed what she was trying to say. In a general sense she is commenting on the importance of 'struggle' for individuals in the process of self actulaizaion. I would say her life is about proving that negative 'labels' and 'ideas' that are very subtle and ingrained in society. Have a counter intuatively constructive effect of providing a solid narrative in peoples lives. I take alot from this as I am dyslexic and can emphasize with it.
ge1org1e 1 year ago
Love these TED Talks, My favs are Jill Tarter,
Elizabeth Gilbert and Aimee Mullins!
rrooklee 1 year ago
oh thank you very much, the quality of the picture is so much better now.
thomasausderwelt 1 year ago
Yawn. I broke my arm once. So my arm was wrecked, fragmented, shattered, cracked, smashed, damaged, ruined, destroyed, malfunctioning, faulty, defective, out of order, broken-down, kaput, conked-out, worn-out, wrecked, had it, busted, bust, licked, defeated, dejected, crushed, dispirited, without hope.
Yeah, doesn't work does it? Only a drooling idiot would not know which meaning of the word to apply in context.
Like entropyfu says, appeal to emotion. Yawn.
un2mensch 1 year ago
-1 appeal to emoition
entropyfu 1 year ago 2
my goodness,she is disable and hot ! Beautiful and intelligent ,who cares she got disabilities !
stevevideos2010 1 year ago
It's interesting how someone born without the mechanical parts to stand and walk still has the capability in their brains to learn all the nuances of balance and momentum. I know it's kind of obvious, but it's just ponderous.
kaisergrendel 1 year ago
i would hit it
warthog212 1 year ago 2
I commend you, TED, on bringing Aimee back, yet again.
As your motto is "Ideas worth spreading" it is EQUALLY important to educate and inspire individuals to challenge the traditional ideologies. I find this video particularly interesting as it was spoken to the brightest minds in the medical field (being it was given at TEDMED).
You are doing a great job at sharing ideas, not only in technological advancements, but in cultural understanding. Thanks! I loved it!
IkaikaSpace 1 year ago 3
some of these TED lectures are fucking CRAP.
like this one. isn't this about the world's leading thinkers and doers? redefining the word "disabled" is really just completely irrelevant. there is often more then one sense for any given word. to take the synonyms for "disabled" so personal and then lecture on it for twenty minutes is just unnecessary.
talk about science, invention, discovery. not this.
Desarollo 1 year ago
@Desarollo Very well said sir. She's basically taking the definition of "disabled" way out of context and getting overemotional.
I work with a guy who lost both his legs because of diabetes-- that guy doesn't mind being called disabled, because the fact is that he IS. He doesn't get hurt when people call him disabled, and say "hey, I'm not useless, impotent, or mangled!" because he knows that's not what people mean.
This strikes me as a pity feature on TED even though she's doing fine.
SJRNWT 1 year ago
yes. a lot of people see it that way. But still a lot of people see disabled and mangled as synonyms and it even is said so in the thesaurus.
It's great, that you already knew that, but I am sure, that there are lots of people out there who didn't see it that way.
The part about teachers determining wether students are good or bad was interesting too.
all in all, an inspiring talk. In my opinion, pity is the last thing she wants.
liquidminds 1 year ago
@Desarollo Behind science technology and discovery are enough people who will assure you that just like her, they learned their intelligence not despite adversity, but because of it. Ask Stephen Hawkings.
leconfidant 3 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this bitch has so much of negativity filled in her even after growing up in a civilized world with all the medical and other help made available to her from her birth.
She should visit African and east Asian countries that are torned apart by Civil wars where children suffer mutilations of severe kind and still are in high spirits even when they don't have access to basic necessities such as water food and enough clothing..
jaydesh9 1 year ago