Do Or Do Not, There Is No Try

Michael B. Maine

Yoda

Now, I’ve never watched a Star Wars movie (I know. I actually have been living under a rock), but I was readingSex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, by Chuck Klosterman where I came across Jedi Master Yoda’s quote, “Do, or do not. There is no ‘try.’”

At that point I put the book down and reflected on what I just read. I agree with Yoda. When we attempt something, we have to pursue it as though there is no option to fail. Too often, we go into a situation with the sentiment that, if we don’t reach the desired outcome, we can at least say we tried. Sometimes we will fail, but we can’t allow ourselves to go into something expecting to. I understand we’re not going to win each and every time, but shooting for just good enough or the attempt will ensure that we never reach success.

Do or do not. There is no try.

Michael Maine is the founder and chief strategy officer of Menrva Labs , working with small businesses and non-profits to build sustainable business and marketing strategies. Follow Michael on Twitter at @michaelbmaine and @menrvalabs.

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By MichaelBMaine – August 3, 2011

Can Fun Change Behavior For the Better

Michael B. Maine

Can we encourage positive behavior by making things fun? The folks over at The Fun Theory do. They held a competition inviting people to provide ideas on how to make everyday tasks such as throwing away trash, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and recycling more fun. They simply ask the qustion, “Can fun change behavior for the better?” Here are some of their submissions.

Michael Maine is the founder and chief strategy officer of Menrva Labs , working with small businesses and non-profits to build sustainable business and marketing strategies. Follow Michael on Twitter at @michaelbmaine and @menrvalabs.

Posted in TEDx, Video.

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By MichaelBMaine – August 1, 2011

Networking. What does that mean to you?

Lauren Bleser

We don’t have all the answers on our own. We don’t possess all the skills necessary to get the job done. Collaboration is one of the greatest keys to success. We gain a fresh perspective when we work with others, learn from them, communicate and clarify our own goals, and get feedback. When we are connected with people within our field or someone who has a contrasting or supporting role, we are sure to be challenged and grow.

I tend to approach networking with an open mind. I don’t always know why someone will benefit me or what I could add to their life, but I’m available to see what will come of the association. And I’m usually pleasantly surprised. I listen, I learn, and I’m willing to share my own expertise or insight. There are times when I need to seek out someone for specific information or help with a particular project. There are times when I think they need to hear some important advice. But typically, I don’t enter relationships with preconceived notions or goals. It is usually after the fact when I realize the full value of the relationship. Networking is a way of life.

I’m a third grade teacher. Last week I went to a national teaching convention. I heard amazing speakers and came home with pages full of notes. However, the people I met from other schools across the nation and the informal conversations we had throughout the week proved to be the most rewarding parts of the conference. I was able to hear how they worked through challenges similar to those we are facing in our school. I was inspired by some of the new ideas and innovative technologies other schools are implementing. I shared with them some of the unique approaches I have taken and the results of those efforts. We learned so much from each other. The relationships built over this week involve risk and require effort, but the reward is that these conversations and sustained friendships will spark creativity and improvement in my teaching strategies as I continue to progress.

This is why I’m excited to attend TEDxSanAntonio this year. I know I will meet people and hear ideas that will change the course of my life. My world will broaden as I go beyond my own limited knowledge and learn from others. And I know that I have something to offer those relationships as well. To find out more about applying to attend this year’s TEDxSanAntonio event, visit the website at http://www.tedxsanantonio.com/attendees/

How has networking affected your life?

Lauren Bleser is a third grade teacher dedicated to improving the quality of education available for all. Follow her on Twitter at @laurenbleser.

Posted in Attendees, TEDx.

Tagged with #SATX, Education, Lauren Bleser, TEDxSanAntonio.

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By MichaelBMaine – July 29, 2011

Speaker Spotlight: Shannon Sedgwick Davis

Shannon Sedgwick Davis

Never Again

In 1994 over one million men, women, and children died in the Rwandan Genocide. Two weeks into this mass atrocity a journalist, aware of the slaughter, called congress woman Patricia Schroeder. The journalist asked Schroeder point blank, why is our country not responding to this travesty? Why is this not on the front page of the New York Times? Schroeder responded honestly, “I have had over 100 phones calls to my office about the endangered ape population in Rwanda, I have had zero about the people.”

We have organized frequently and effectively to fight for the rights of endangered animals, but seem to ignore the fact there are endangered people all over the world. Edmund Burke said, “the only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” In a world where men, women, and children are endangered I am hopeful to see a generation, who refuses to do nothing.

An event like the Rwandan Genocide will happen again unless we are fully present, revere dignity, and live with humility.

Fully present

The Rwandan genocide didn’t make front page news in the states. Until the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda most of the western world was oblivious. Our freedom must beckon us toward advocacy for the endangered people of the world. Look beyond the headlines and turn your full attention on the world’s need. Let me encourage you to be present to the stories unfolding today and those of the past. Aegis Trust, a fantastic organization, (http://www.aegistrust.org/) has lead a noble effort to tell the stories of millions of families torn apart by the Rwandan genocide.

Revere Dignity

I believe there is a great nobility in the soul of every Human being. Too often our efforts to “help” others insult that very nobility. If we are truly focused on helping the world we must first learn the stories of those we aim to help. Only after we have obtained a great respect for people and a depth of knowledge from their story can we begin to offer them a hand.

Live with humility

Every time I speak to a group of people I have the mindset someone in the audience has a better idea than I. It will take many minds to prevent future tragedies. There is no room for ego when children can not live in safety.

I am often criticized for going into active war zones with two precious little ones at home. The paradox for me is that because I do have those little ones at home, I can only begin to imagine how desperate the mother’s are who aren’t in a position to protect their children. I believe we owe them our best efforts to alleviate what we can. We must show up for them, I would expect nothing less if my children were the ones at risk.

Posted in Speakers, Talks, TEDx.

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By MichaelBMaine – July 25, 2011

Why I’m Volunteering with TEDxSanAntonio – Shawn Cohen

We all know kids are curious. But somewhere along life’s path a lot of people lose that curiosity, letting the routine of life sap their inquisitiveness.

At age 30, I still haven’t lost my curiosity. I love to learn, inquire, and grow. I don’t want to be the same person today I was yesterday, a week ago, or last year.

So, I don’t think someone like me can stay away from a TEDx event for too long.

TED has exposed me to crazy and creative ideas that have motivated me to spread my own ideas about learning, life, and society. As a San Antonian, volunteering with TEDxSanAntonio was a logical step in helping provide worthwhile ideas the platform they deserve.

I’m now the communications committee chair. That basically means I get to watch bloggers, PR professionals, and social media junkies do what they’re awesome at.

And like all the other TEDxSanAntonio attendees, I have to apply to attend. I hope I get picked. San Antonio has lot of good ideas I’m curious about.

Posted in News, TEDx, Volunteers.

Tagged with Facebook, san antonio, Shawn Cohen, speaker, TED (conference), TEDx, texas, United States, Volunteers.

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By MichaelBMaine – July 25, 2011

Sometimes your own experience is worth sharing

Often when we look for speakers at TEDxSanAntonio people feel they don’t have a story to share. But sometimes something you have a passion about becomes that idea worth sharing. In an inspiring talk at TEDxMaastricht, Dave deBronkart shared his experiences as an “e-Patient” and how his discovery of his own terminal cancer led to a journey to find a cure among fellow patients online. That experience led to a new passion to help encourage people to talk to each other, understand their own health data, and help improve health care through the social experience.

We’re looking for people who have experiences to share with others to help stimulate thinking and possibly change lives. It could be an idea you wish to share that created a life changing experience. We’ve even provided you information about speaking at TEDxSanAntonio in our e-Book, The Speaker Experience. Read it and, if you think you’ve got an experience worth sharing, fill out out the Speaker Application Form.

Remember, “an idea not shared, is not an idea, but a passing thought” (@tomwhitby).

Posted in News, Speakers.

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By Randy Bear – July 21, 2011

Cool new ideas are often revealed at TED and TEDx

Last year at TEDxSanAntonio our audience was treated to a new technology that allows paraplegics the ability to walk once again through bionic technology. Eythor Bender and his company, Berkeley Bionics, demonstrated this amazing achievement as Amanda Boxtell, an ardent athlete and paraplegic, walk across the stage of the Stieren Theater through the assistance of eLegs. Hardly a person in the audience kept their emotions in check as we witnessed hope for thousands who felt they may never walk again.

Sharing these new ideas seems to be the norm for TED and TEDx. At TEDGlobal 2011 Markus Fischer showed the audience a robotic bird that flies built on the patterns of seagulls. Yet another audience rose to their feet in applause at the sight of the robot flying effortlessly above their head. Seeing this seemingly unthinkable act happen right before their eyes most likely started the stimulation of new creations and innovations.

TEDxSanAntonio is looking for those new ideas this year to possibly speak at the 2011 event. Most TEDxSanAntonio speakers live and breathe their idea every day. In some cases, it has been a vocation that was ahead of its time and is just now becoming real for others. If you think you have a new idea worth sharing or know of someone who might, apply now using our Speaker Application Form. In case you aren’t sure what’s required we give you more information at The Speaker Experience, a handy eBook with lots of good information.

As Amanda wrote in an e-mail to a friend, quoted from Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked:

I’m through accepting limits
‘Cuz someone says they’re so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I’ll never know!

It’s time to try
Defying gravity…

Posted in News, Speakers, TEDx.

Tagged with Press Release.

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By Randy Bear – July 20, 2011

TEDxSanAntonio Announces Return in 2011 to Inspire Big Ideas, New Thinking and Spur Community Involvement and Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Milikien, 210.829.1953

jennifer@rc-co.com

San Antonio, TX (July 20, 2011) – Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when some of the city’s greatest minds will converge on a single stage. The independently organized TEDxSanAntonio event will once again bring together the San Antonio community to hear a series of dynamic18-minute talks, in the spirit of the theme “It’s time for ______.” How you fill in that blank is up to you. Whether it’s your time for action, innovation, reflection, solidarity or transformation, TEDxSanAntonio has something real to offer you.

Rackspace ® Hosting (NYSE: RAX), a leading specialist in the hosting and cloud computing industry, and Trinity University, an independent, liberal arts and sciences university, are the Genius Level sponsors of TEDxSanAntonio 2011. Both sponsors are returning after participating in the 2010 inaugural event. Alamo City’s TEDxSanAntonio event will take place in Trinity University’s Jane and Arthur Stieren Theater, and the university will provide hospitality for the ancillary events surrounding the event.

“As a global technology company, Rackspace understands the importance of combining creativity and innovation to advance our industry as well as others,” said Lanham Napier, Rackspace president and chief executive officer. “Through TEDxSanAntonio, we have the ability to share ideas being generated in our own community. The concepts being brought forth are awe inspiring, and we are proud to be part of this game-changing, influential initiative.”

At its core, TED brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers who are challenged to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. The goal is to inspire people to change the world. Past speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, Isabel Allende and many other thought leaders, and idea pioneers. TEDx was created so communities could create their own localized versions of TED events. At TEDxSanAntonio, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.

The first all-day TEDxSanAntonio event was held in October of 2010 and featured some spectacular talent from around the Alamo City, including:

Alicia Arenas, founder/CEO of Sanera, The People Development Co.
Julian Castro, Mayor, City of San Antonio
Jon Hinojosa, artistic and executive director, SAY Si
Shannon Sedgwick Davis, attorney and president, Bridgeway Foundation
Roberto P. Trevino, MD, director, Social and Health Research Center, Bienstar/NEEMA school health programs

– MORE –

Page 2/TEDxSanAntonio 2011

TEDxSanAntonio organizers currently are accepting speaker nominations for the 2011 event. Know of someone with a great idea? A world-class thinker working on the next big thing? Or, is that you? Help TEDxSanAntonio get these people on stage. Fill out the speaker application form, available at http://bit.ly/tedxsaspeaker.

TEDxSanAntonio depends on the involvement of the entire community. A limited number of individual and corporate sponsorships for the TEDxSanAntonio event are available at http://bit.ly/tedxsasponsor. Or, if you are interested in participating in TEDxSanAntonio as a volunteer, visit http://bit.ly/tedxsavolunteer. TEDxSanAntonio needs expertise and talent in a number of specialties, so there is bound to be an area where you can make a difference.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world’s leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Two major TED events are held each year: The TED Conference takes place every spring in Long Beach, California (along with a parallel conference, TEDActive, in Palm Springs), and TEDGlobal is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily; the new TED Conversations, enabling broad conversations among TED fans; and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. For information about TED’s upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration. Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED.

About TEDxSanAntonio

We are a small group of organizers licensed by TED to hold San Antonio’s all-day TEDx event. Our goal: To open the minds, hearts and souls of the Alamo City to the most intriguing science, art, literary, technological, social justice and environmental ideas – inspiring participants from all parts of the city to initiate big changes and empowering them to continue the conversations beyond the walls of the event. Visit www.TEDxSanAntonio.com for more information.

# # #

Download the full press release here.

Posted in News, TEDx.

Tagged with Press Release.

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By Shawn.Cohen – July 20, 2011

Call For Volunteers

Last year’s TEDxSanAntonio couldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the great volunteers we had. We’re looking for dedicated individuals to help make TEDxSanAntonio 2011 even better than last year. We need people with great organizational skills, attention to detail, and a variety of marketing, technical, and fund raising experience.

If you’re interested in helping us out, fill out this form and we’ll be in touch to give you details about the May 19th Volunteer’s meeting

Posted in TEDx, Volunteers.

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By George Riley – April 28, 2011