Sherwin Nuland: A meditation on hope

http://www.ted.com Surgeon and writer Sherwin Nuland meditates on the idea of hope -- the desire to become our better selves and make a better world. It's a thoughtful 12 minutes that will help you focus on the road ahead.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[phatcorns]

This was an utterly pointless talk as far as I can tell. Perhaps someone could enlighten me, but all I heard was quite a few quotes and rhetoric about the strength of the human spirit.

I am really not trying to put down this video for no reason. I really felt that it had no purpose and was just rambling. If someone can tell me what it was that he was trying to say and what I should look for when re-watching it, I'd appreciate it very much.

[denalidragonfly]

I take exception to "We are to be the world's healer." It presumes the rest of the world has nothing to offer in the area of "healing," which is grossly false & prejudiced. We have much to learn from the rest of the world about true healing. Western Medicine is not the "be all/end all." It was of little use to me during 3yrs of disability. My "Hope" came from alternative therapies, one of which I am now in training to be a practitioner. Now I can offer true "hope" to others worldwide. PEACE.

[CZNeal]

A "point" or a "summation" is necessary? How did Dr. Nuland's talk make you FEEL? And did those feelings inspire IDEAS within you, ideas you can relate to as a unique individual ... did his talk create the desire within you to be the best you can be, to make a contribution to others?

[MrLesWhite]

I may be wrong. My value system is happiness not dexterity based.

But to answer your issue:

Pointing to western civilization as proof positive of the global picture is the truly inane argument IMO. Also I suggest you look up the video "The Story of Stuff" if you are not just an agitator and truly are interested in the subject.

...

IMO using "all that I have" as a barometer for progress, is like judging a kid's future or present contentment by how many toys he has in his room

[Steny]

No, you are wrong. The total aggregate wealth and net wealth per person has been increasing for a long time in the Western world that embraces the market.

And also in India, etc as they adopt competitive policies.

When you add in all the art and music accessible to the masses, your statement is even more inane.

I wish your great, great grandparents could come back and see all that you and others have while you bemoan 'zero sum' non-sense.

[MrLesWhite]

"If you are not using others to get rich, then you are being used to get rich by others. This is the nature of civilization"

Civilization is not defined by economy, but the reverse has more truth. True man is ambitious and wealth and power needs are partly human, BUT we stimulate it's growth on the internet, billboards, radio and TV.

The survival of the fittest itch is constantly being scratched.

[sunrisewalker]

If you are not using others to get rich, then you are being used to get rich by others. This is the nature of civilization.

[MrLesWhite]

Gotta love how the poor's demise and our 'success' (which is shockingly coincidental - all conspiracies aside) is unilateral. I don't really like elitism tbh.

FYI 'economy' is a zero sum game friends

[theoryac]

JIDDU KRISHNAMURTI talks with DR. Alan Anderson

[LeadenDragon]

You can't expect me to explain the whole reception theory in a 500 characters comment.

[guigenqigong]

Hi, Sherwin Nuland，thank you for your video, if possible, I'd like to read your scripture, complement my hearing.

[gamemonkey101]

It seemed that overall he was applauding TED, which is all well and good, but I much prefer the talks where the speakers actively engage the audience and talk about substantive change and the potential to alter the current social climate, or even when they talk about the amazing things they have done in the past as an example of human ability. This was more of an elongated pat on the back, which was quite uneccessary.