Key Moments
Which Speaker Steals the Stage? | Chicago | TED Idea Search
TEDx TalksKey Moments
TEDx Chicago showcased speakers with groundbreaking ideas, from conservation chemistry to empathy in science and bridging societal divides, but only one will advance to the main TED stage.
Key Insights
Tim Cernac's conservation chemistry aims to create medicines for endangered species, drawing parallels to how the diabetes drug metformin originated from the saliva of a Gila monster.
Dr. Sammy Ramsey advocates for empathy as a learnable skill in science, sharing his personal journey of overcoming a fear of insects and challenging traditional scientific dogma after being dismissed from a doctoral program.
Joshua Johnson, a journalist, proposes 'civic CPR' through improved communication to help people engage in difficult conversations, drawing from his experience hosting NPR's '1A'.
Job Verbosa embarked on a mission to run every street in Chicago, seeking to counter negative media narratives by showcasing the city's ordinary life and personal connections.
Darlene Jackson (DJ Lady D) shared how house music culture in Chicago fostered sanctuaries for the disenfranchised, promoting self-acceptance and grace by creating inclusive dance floor spaces.
Joshua Johnson was ultimately selected to represent Chicago on the TED Main Stage in Vancouver, recognized for his timely and impactful message on communication.
Bridging divides through effective communication
Joshua Johnson, a journalist and former host of NPR's '1A', presented a compelling case for 'civic CPR' to improve public discourse. Drawing from his 20+ years of broadcasting, Johnson shared personal experiences of engaging with individuals holding deeply problematic views, highlighting a crucial missed opportunity during a discussion on Confederate statues where he focused on the 'pros and cons' rather than understanding the 'why' behind the guest's beliefs. He argued that objectivity is a skill, not an identity, and proposed three actionable tips for unbearable conversations: keep questions short (under 10 seconds), find the narrative behind beliefs by focusing on the speaker's story, and acknowledge without necessarily agreeing. Johnson's core message emphasized that a generous heart and a curious mind are essential for navigating disagreements and fostering connection, likening these efforts to potentially saving lives without performing complex 'emergency surgery on the heart of the nation'.
Conservation chemistry offers new hope for endangered species
Tim Cernac, a medicinal chemistry professor, introduced 'conservation chemistry,' a novel approach to developing medicines for endangered animals. He highlighted the biodiversity crisis and the threat of diseases to wildlife, citing examples like elephant seals succumbing to avian flu and amphibians facing extinction from a fungal infection called chytrid. Cernac shared the case of Pebbles, a Gila monster suffering from a parasitic infection, initially deemed untreatable. By extracting the parasite from Gila monster feces, his lab identified a potential treatment, 'peromy,' a drug repurposed from human medicine. This targeted therapy successfully treated Pebbles, demonstrating chemistry's potential as a rapid conservation tool. Cernac emphasized that the pharmaceutical industry has historically benefited from animal biology, referencing how diabetes drugs originated from Gila monster saliva, and argued for applying this knowledge to protect species facing imminent threats.
Empathy as a critical, undervalued skill in scientific research
Dr. Sammy Ramsey, an entomologist, championed empathy as a crucial, yet often overlooked, skill within the scientific community. He recounted his childhood fear of insects, which eventually transformed into a passion for entomology, inspired by his mother's encouragement. Ramsey described his early academic struggles, including being dismissed from a doctoral program due to a perceived lack of 'doctoral material' or the 'right skill set.' After a lengthy appeals process, he returned and focused on the global honeybee health decline, specifically the parasitic Varroa mite. He explained how his initial attempts to understand the mite's feeding behavior failed because he was human-centric. By practicing empathy—imagining himself as the mite with senses only of smell, taste, and touch—Ramsey realized they couldn't see decoy bees. This led him to use a thin membrane scented like bee skin, enabling the parasites to feed on his 'decoy bee' and reproduce. This breakthrough, he argued, highlights how empathy drives scientific discovery, and lamented that scientific structures often hinder such innovative, albeit unconventional, approaches.
Running the streets of Chicago to redefine perceptions
Job Verbosa shared his ambitious goal of running every single street in Chicago, aiming to counter the city's portrayal in the news as predominantly dangerous. He described how a near-fatal accident on Mount Washington, which led to hypothermia and frostbite, initiated his recovery through running. Initially hating the activity, Verbosa found purpose by deciding to run the entire city. His exploration revealed a reality starkly different from media narratives: ordinary people, moments of connection, and vibrant community life. He contrasted this lived experience with the fear-mongering tactics of media and algorithms that promote division and isolation, inviting the audience to explore their own lives and challenge the stories they are told.
House music culture as a sanctuary and equalizer
Darlene Jackson, also known as DJ Lady D, spoke about the origins of house music in Chicago and its role as a unifying force. She described how queer, straight, Black, and brown youth created a sanctuary from marginalization, dissolving barriers and fostering a sense of full actualization and freedom. Jackson proposed that one's 'dance floor' is a space where they feel safest and most trusted, urging the audience to make space for others, approach without judgment, and teach their 'dance' to the next generation. Her message emphasized love, communion, justice, and elevating moods.
The rigorous process of selecting a TED main stage speaker
Following the presentations, a panel convened to deliberate on the speakers' performances. They discussed the strengths of each individual, noting Job's strong delivery improvement, Dr. Sammy's incredible stage presence and audience connection, Tim's pioneering and accessible scientific explanation, and Darlene's impactful storytelling about Chicago house music. However, they also acknowledged challenges, such as Job's idea potentially being more local, Darlene's struggle to connect as strongly on stage, and the overall high caliber of all participants. The panel grappled with narrowing down the field to a single speaker who would represent Chicago on the global TED stage in Vancouver. Ultimately, Joshua Johnson was chosen for his timely message and impactful delivery, which resonated viscerally with the audience.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Software & Apps
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●Drugs & Medications
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Common Questions
The TED Idea Search is a global initiative by TED to find and amplify innovative ideas from diverse voices. It involves TEDx events where speakers present their unique concepts, with the ultimate goal of having one chosen speaker present on the main TED stage.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Host who shares his personal experience of speaking at TED and introduces the TED Idea Search.
Professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan, speaking on conservation chemistry.
Journalist and professional communicator from Chicago, speaking about moderating difficult conversations.
Entomologist from Boulder, Colorado, presenting the idea that empathy is a skill vital for scientific advancement.
Speaker from Brazil living in Chicago, aiming to change perceptions of the city by running every street.
DJ Lady D from Chicago, sharing how house music fosters a judgment-free and graceful way of living.
The performance name of Darlene Jackson, a Chicago-based DJ and speaker.
A new field focused on using chemistry as a tool for conservation, particularly for endangered species.
Metaphor for revitalizing conversations and connections within democracy to save lives.
A genre of music born in Chicago, characterized by its ability to create sanctuary and dissolve barriers.
A mountain in New Hampshire known for its harsh weather, where Job Barbosa had a near-fatal accident.
A city in Virginia where a white supremacist march occurred in 2017, referenced in Joshua Johnson's talk.
The primary platform for TED talks, where select speakers are invited to present their ideas to a global audience.
The location where the TED Main Stage event will take place, and where Joshua Johnson will present.
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