Steve Keil: A manifesto for play, for Bulgaria and beyond

http://www.ted.com At TEDxBG in Sofia, Steve Keil fights the "serious meme" that has infected his home of Bulgaria -- and calls for a return to play to revitalize the economy, education and society. A sparkling talk with a universal message for people everywhere who are reinventing their workplaces, schools, lives.

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, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, 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. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• TED
• TEDTalks
• Steve Keil
• serious meme
• Bulgaria
• play
• reinvention
• revitalization

[educationk12]

"Antiquated education system that has little changed over a 100 years that is rote learning, memorization and standardization and devalued self-expression, self-exploration, questioning, creativity and play. It’s a crap system. It’s a crime that our education system is so serious that we are creating mindless robotic workers to put bolts in predrilled holes. Adaptability, creative and innovative." LOVED THE TALK

[Raithulu]

The first part is %100 applicable to the US too. Don't deny it people, you know its true.

[kenkencan1]

I am just wondering what would happen if I go to America, England, Germany start explaining in Bulgarian (my own language) how screwed up they are, how stupid they are, how deeply rotten the western society is how they are incapable of managing anything by themselves.. I am sure they would love me!

[hasaiko]

How can a Bulgarian even think of "play" on his workplace when he knows that what he earns through his PROFESSIONAL realization (I mean accountants, psychiatrists etc.) is equal to what social welfare pays in more developed countries? How can he RISK his job when he knows that finding another may take years? Education is far more rewarding than what this guy shows but the opportunities afterwards are extremely scarce. People should look for their rights and protest, not play!

[monkeyrecordsnz]

Important to note that playing does not mean sitting in front of your computer 6 hours a day playing some fantasy game. It means getting out there and interacting with people and the world and doing something fulfilling or just for fun. Having had a child recently I am rediscovering the joy of play with my son, even if it is just peek a boo.

[FuckYouS0ftly]

Yeah, I'm a Bulgarian girl.. unfortunately all he says is the truth.

It's TIME to PLAY the GAME :)

[LebowskisBig]

@Cooler3546 As someone recently wrote: "Don't shoot the messenger." A bit ironic, isn't it?

[Cooler3546]

@LebowskisBig

In my opinion, it is up to the individual to find their own meaning. He is making sweeping statements because he is focusing on his message, not how he delivers it. We all project our view of the world onto others; just because this world view doesn't work for you doesn't mean its wrong. It just isn't how you want to see the world. So see it however you want. Don't shoot the messenger.

[LebowskisBig]

@xanderbg1 See above for the continuation of my point, which I mistakenly failed to post under my first response to you. Hope that clarifies things :)

[LebowskisBig]

@LebowskisBig So there are certain benefits for the consumer and perhaps for the employees of large companies. But it might be argued that it is precisely the globalist, corporate-led globalist policies that are eroding the Bulgarian way of life and worldview. My real beef is when the speaker says "We, Bulgarians" and then makes sweeping statements that, in my experience, are ridiculous and even untrue. He should get to know the people a bit better before spreading his "knowledge"

[LebowskisBig]

@xanderbg1 On the contrary, you play less because of globalization, not more.

[xanderbg1]

@LebowskisBig So you want to say that now we play more than before 20 years?