TEDxConcordiaUPortland - Anis Mojgani - Equal Parts Science and Magic

You might not believe it, but Anis Mogjani has never been to a barber shop. And he has really long arms. Oh yeah, and he's also a two time National Poetry Slam Champion, winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam, and a National Book Award Nominee along with various other extraordinary accomplishments. He is a talented and creative artist, who has long been fascinated with the extraordinary process of being human. Everyone, he believes, is "invested with nobility," and this is an idea that he constantly carries with him. His beliefs shape him, and he says that his parents helped shape his beliefs. They gave him, as he says, "The permission to be oneself, acceptance of who one is." If he were able to harness the power of our 2012 attendees, he says he'd want to send everyone out into the world with homemade inventions to make the world a better and more interesting place. One invention he'd like to see? Levitating shoes. He'd love to own a pair someday. He'd also like to open a bookstore, start a soda pop shop with his wife, and establish "an organization that brought to fruition the creative wanderings of people that do not liken themselves to being creative individuals." We should probably mention—it might already be clear—that he doesn't believe there's ever one place that we arrive at; there's no end point, so there's no opportunity to rest on one's laurels. His goal in life is to simply continue, something that he says is actually quite difficult. Continuing takes patience and it's often a process of balancing being selfish and selfless. We're excited to see him continue on the TEDxConcordiaUPortland stage, where his slam talents and creativity will be welcomed with open arms.

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)

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[Keith Szkodny]

This man paints images with words and stanzas better than most artists can with a pen and ink.

[Melanie Levi]

I was lucky enough to see this gentleman perform at TWLOHA's Heavy and Light a few months ago. He is brilliant.

[Anyun Chatterjee]

Some people are just so brilliant it takes your breath away. Others just straight up asphyxiate you with their mind.

[tfields2689]

I think in a way that was intentional. Like the title equal parts science and magic, this was equal parts poetry and speech and blended together so its hard to tell

[Matt Shay]

If you had this skill, you wouldn't use it for selfish gains such as that. . . But that is the reason you don't have this skill because you would use it for selfish purposes. . .

[ChiefKrikor]

Perhaps your misled intentions are the reason you don't already possess it...

[Radzell]

I need this skill. I could talk the underwear off any girl.

[Simón Esain]

Wonderfull

[RinaRecords]

I get lost in his words, and it's wonderful.

[Trey Hales]

the last few minutes of this were the best parts

[jamaal stewart]

I cant tell if this is all a poem,or not!!!

[jamaal stewart]

At first I couldnt tell if he was done with the poem or not