Very common dialogue between Jeff and I:
Jeff: "Hey Erin, have you heard of this new [insert some form of technology/idea/book/Apple product here]."
Erin: "No."
In marketing, there are the groups of people known as the Innovators and the Early Adopters. I am not one of them. I am the one that never had a pager in junior high and I barely knew how to work my cd player. We never had cable, much less DVR, and I didn't get a cell phone until college and that was for emergencies only. In fact, with most everything I was always a little behind. I watched re-runs almost exclusively, my family only drove used cars (we still do), and my parents just got air conditioning last summer.
So I did not grow up in an environment where I kept my eyes out for the newest thing. Jeff, on the other hand...
When Jeff handed me my first iPod when we were dating, I had to have him sync it for me for the first year. And it took a while to understand the concept of a podcast. When we started this business though, I came face-to-face with the sheer amount of technological proficiency that's required to be a part of this industry, and I've had to force myself to think, learn, and understand like an Early Adopter, even though Jeff will still beat me to punch almost always.
So when Jeff asked me if I had heard of TED about a year ago, I gave a really confused 'no.' Wondering who this mysterious Mr. Ted was, Jeff handed me his iPod and I became entranced by my first ever TED Talk.
TED is a "small non-profit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading." It started in 1984 as a conference that brought people together from three different worlds: Techonology, Entertainment, and Design. Today, its huge and it covers so much more. From art to science to medicine to business to marketing, TED brings top-notch thinkers from around the world to give 18-minute talks about one thing: ideas.
Last night, Jeff and I were spending our evening watching some TED talks (yes, we're complete dorks, we know), and we came across a recent talk from writer Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, that floored me. Its particularly relevant to those in creative professions, so I thought I would share. Enjoy! Or should I say, Ole! (You'll need to hear the talk to understand)
Hugs,
Erin
6 comments
Zinchuk Studios - I also love TED–hadn’t heard of ‘him’ until this spring when we used a lecture for one of my ESL classes–they are all so interesting! Thanks for the recommendation–I’ll listen to this one next!
~Jennifer, Zinchuk Studios
Nathan Cashion - You guys are great. One of my favorite things to do is sit and watch TED Talks.
Missy Joy - Erin, I absolutely loved this. Thank you so much for sharing. I think she put into words what I am so wanting to accomplish with my work…to give a “glimpse of God”. I want my work to go beyond the capture of time, location, and individuals. Instead, I want to somehow capture the piece that is eternal…the love, the relationships, the miracle of the life we’ve been given.
Shannon - The imagery of the poet running into the house to capture the poem that is racing towards her….as a fellow creative….this is EXACTLY how I’ve always “imagined” my own personal creative process to occur….I think she’s spoken a lot of truth with her idea that creativity is not innate; it is something that comes from the outside….but not only do we need to be ready for it, or it could be missed (like the guy in the car), we must be willing to let it do it’s job….even if we, as the vessel, think it’s crazy. This is God and His will. S, I completely agree with your comments….It is all for His glory….I pray that I never do anything creative without His will and purpose in it. I pray that when He speaks to me creatively I am in a position to not only run into the house to “write it down” but am willing to leave all else to go do it…in His timing….I think of the story of Ester….if she had not been willing to do what God was asking of her, God would have used someone else…the “creative being” (for lack of a better term) that God brings to us is not lost if we are unwilling….God’s will and purpose will come through….how awesome for Him to chose us to be the vessels to do so!
S - Love this! SO interesting is has my mind reeling. Except, with all her brilliant reasoning, her conclusion seems to miss the mark. Ease self doubt and insecurity sure, but she perpetuates dispair with the idea that the muse can find you and leave you at anytime so you just do your part to show up. What purpose is there in that? If it isnt for OUR glory, then there is hope in the idea that we are playing the part we were created to play in a bigger story. Our gifts are for His glory. From this perspective, it is grace that we experience it at all. Even if it never visits again, i will praise God for the grace he chose to shed on me. She is missing the hope of Christ.
You cant post that and not expect a heavy reply, right?
AnnaMae Ouimet - I LOVE TED talks!!!! This one by Elizabeth Gilbert was one of the first I listened to actually. But I think my favorite so far is by Ken Robinson
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html