The strength of a story: Andrew Slack at TEDxTransmedia2011

Andrew Slack is creator, co-founder, and Executive Director of the Harry Potter Alliance which takes a creative approach to activism by mobilizing thousands of kids to spread love and fight for justice in the spirit of the Harry Potter novels.

In TEDxTransmedia he tells a story about the power of stories, and his experiences in using that power for good.

About TEDx:
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

• Category

  Nonprofits & Activism

[eruanna317]

Andrew, this is phenomenal. To have summed up something so huge and important so very eloquently in only 13 minutes... wow. By the time you got to the part where you explained how fantasy is "not an escape from our world but an invitation to go deeper into it" I had chills. Whether it's through Harry Potter or other stories (I'm already thinking of some Hobbit parallels for when the movie hits next December!), I'm so grateful the good guys are stepping up and using stories for positive change.

[Kaytaaay]

The HPA is what gives me hope for the world we live in. ASlack, you're inspiring and I love you!

[nina hodgson]

The HPA is one of those things that proves to me, every time I visit its website, that the world isn't a complete lost cause.

It's such a wonderful thing to be a part of.

[HoppingFun]

Andrew, yes. Brilliant. But, not just Harry Potter. This power to change lives, change the world resides in any story that captures emotion and imagination, whatever the scale. That's why it's so important to fund and nurture the next generation's stories (and storytellers). Age 10-12 is where the magic happens. Superb that you went to StoryWorld and mixed and mingled with us. :)

[Karen Bellinger Wehner]

Andrew Slack - amazing big thoughts and best of all lovable, implementable. Thank you. And isn''t it lucky to have figured out the right stop for SFO in the end - I think we worried many of our fellow train riders in the meantime. xx Karen

[Jillian Richardson]

this is amazing. let's use dumbledore's army to stop al-Bashir from murdering his people in Sudan

[ashappy]

Amazing

[iliveonplanetspace]

Bravo. 

[Amandeep Narula]

wtf who disliked this... man ur goin to hell

[coughdrop01]

Wonderful beautiful speech, Andrew! We all love you!

[xGuyslikePotterx]

I love this man.

[Blawwmkw]

Andrew Slack, you are my hero.