Writing could be a beautiful thing. But as the words we write are powerful and can alter reality, we have to be careful with it. We may find it hard to express our real feelings sometimes. Words in the dictionary may not be enough to convey how we really feel. And failing or succeeding in writing can bring us to a place where we feel lost. We might be tempted to give up. Here are 3 TED talks on writing that will help solve all these dilemmas.
TED talks on writing
How fake news does real harm
by Stephanie Busari
With our easy access to the news and information through the internet, news travel fast indeed. But in order to cover up a scandal, a tragedy or to help clean an image of someone in power, fake news is being spread and is now very rampant. Stephanie Busari is a journalist and editor of CNN International. She talks about how fake news harms us and what we can do about it.
Spreading fake news could only delay justice by covering the truth. It can provoke people by spreading animosity and confusion, dividing people instead of uniting them.
What can we do? Verify the source and the facts. Before you hit the share button or engage in the comment section, do your due research about the topic. Be objective and think about what could be the hidden agenda or propaganda?
Stop and think. Trust your instinct and check with reliable sources. Don’t share it if you are unsure. That is only like spreading rumors. Think before you click.
Beautiful new words to describe obscure emotions
by John Koenig
Words are powerful…and beautiful. They have the power to make us less alone. John Koening, writer of “Obscure Sorrows” who wrote talks about real words. Are words real? How do we know? A real word is one that gets you access to as many brains as you can. That’s what makes it worth knowing. The realest word of all by this measure is this: O. K. That’s the most commonly understood word in the world, no matter where you are.
The meaning is not in the words themselves. We’re the ones that pour ourselves into it.
A beautiful point of his talk about words is this: “When we’re all searching for meaning in our lives, and searching for the meaning of life, I think words have something to do with that. And I think if you’re looking for the meaning of something, the dictionary is a decent place to start. It brings a sense of order to a very chaotic universe. Our view of things is so limited that we have to come up with patterns and shorthands and try to figure out a way to interpret it and be able to get on with our day. We need words to contain us, to define ourselves.”
We forget that words are made up. Somebody at one point in history coined a term to describe or define something; a feeling, an emotion.
Remember that words are not real and they don’t have meaning. But we do.
Success, failure and the drive to keep creating
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love found it challenging to write again after her big break. She said it was tough for her to think about writing a book that might disappoint those who adored her book that was turned into a movie and that will disappoint her haters knowing that she’s still alive.
But she can’t give up her vocation so she found a way to get her going again.
She had always loved writing. She wrote since childhood all the way to adulthood; waitressing and writing, sending her works to publishers and getting rejected every time. For six years, she received nothing but rejection letter.
Every time, it was devastating and she began to ask if she needs to quit and spare herself from the pain of rejection. She resolves to keep writing because for her, her love for writing is bigger than her ego. Her love for writing is bigger than she hates failing at writing.
Success and failure seems alike in the sense that both experiences catapult you abruptly to a place extremely away from where you are. Although success and failure are opposite, they both bring you to different places and your subconscious is unable to determine which is good and which is not.
When you feel lost after a failure or after a success, the remedy is to go back to where you feel most at home in. She gave a hint: your home is whatever in this world you love more than you love yourself. It could be creating, service, or adventure.
If you’re feeling lost right now, be it because of debilitating failure or overwhelming success, go home. It is where you’ll find yourself. If you can’t find the words to express how you feel, make something up. If you want to be an effective writer, know how to determine the fabricated story from the real one. And help spread what is true. Words are powerful and beautiful and we must use it to make the world better.
Day 1 – Write Tribe Problogger October 2017 Challenge
Welcome to those of you taking part in the Write Tribe Problogger Challenge. Please add your link to the linky below, comment on this post, share it on social media and start visiting and commenting on other blogs! On Mondays you could also link into Everyday Gyaan’s #MondayMusings.
She Who Dances With Angels says
October 15, 2017 at 9:45 amI love TED talks and I too believe it’s all about passion and sticking with it even when you think you don’t have an audience or are afraid of disappointing the audience you have.
Geethica Mehra says
October 6, 2017 at 9:32 amThere is always something interesting and important to learn whenever I am associated with Write Tribe. “The passion for writing is bigger than my ego” These are such powerful lines. And I personally feel that keep doing your deeds, success will follow.
Disha says
October 3, 2017 at 1:47 pmThanks for sharing the TED Talk links, will look forward to them for writing inspiration. This is my first tribe event & excited to be a part of the WriteTribe.
Ashwini Dodani says
October 3, 2017 at 12:01 pm“The meaning is not in the words themselves. We’re the ones that pour ourselves into it.” This struck home intensely. Lovely post and excited to be a part of this tribe. My First with Write Tribe 🙂
Mamma Bear | Nikita says
October 3, 2017 at 11:47 amI’m currently reading Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic and it is doing wonders for me. I love how simple she all makes it seem. To live creatively every day, all you need to do is have a bit of discipline and be a little crazy 😛
Ishieta says
October 3, 2017 at 10:46 amwhoa.. Go Home! That’s a new one – usually, people always encourage people to travel to find themselves! This really resonated for me, the most ‘ME’ I am, the safest I feel is in my own home – my space where I can breathe and dream and find hope again! Lovely post – good selection of Ted Talks
Obsessivemom says
October 3, 2017 at 9:24 amThere’s so much to enjoy in this post – that bit about success and failure being similar, about the power of words and of course that bit about Elizabeth Gilbert. Much to read and internalise.
Akshata says
October 3, 2017 at 9:09 amLoved the strong messages especially the one about success and failure resonated the most with me
Priyadarshani Sharma says
October 3, 2017 at 7:05 amThanks for sharing this. Very interesting. Here’s my link
https://storminmymind.wordpress.com/2017/10/02/the-wonder-of-predictability/
Neha gupta says
October 3, 2017 at 1:20 amI was not aware of these videos so many thanks for sharing. I am glad to be part of write tribe as otherwise I would have missed such inspiring and informative videos. Thanks again
Neha (Sharing Our Experiences)
Shilpa Garg says
October 2, 2017 at 11:07 pmInspiring videos. Loved the one from Elizabeth Gilbert! Thanks for sharing!
Rashi Mital says
October 2, 2017 at 10:10 pmI have recently started watching TEDx videos and I cannot be thankful after for the ones above. I have been writing for a long time now and rejection is like the other half of writing. But, it’s my belief which is making me go. Cheers! Saving the page to come back to the video again, when I’m low. 🙂
Vasantha Vivek says
October 2, 2017 at 8:59 pmTED Talks are always my favorites. I used to quote them to my students while I was working. Thanks for sharing this.
Nibha Gupta says
October 2, 2017 at 7:48 pmOh I am a big fan of TED Videos, Thanks for sharing! I’ll surely add these inspirational videos to my list! Loved the one from Elizabeth Gilbert!
Surbhi Prapanna says
October 2, 2017 at 6:03 pmHere is the link to my post
https://surbhiprapannablogs.blogspot.com/2017/10/writebravely-writeproblogger-5.html
Parul Thakur says
October 2, 2017 at 5:41 pmThanks for sharing the TED talks. Doubting whether we will be good or not is sure never the next step. We need to push our fears back and keep on doing what we love. That’s a great reminder for every single one here.
Amrita says
October 2, 2017 at 4:43 pmLoved all the TED talks and the one by Elizabeth Gilbert best.Find your home.That’s important.
Rohan Kachalia says
October 2, 2017 at 3:20 pmThis is a very informative post, especially for writers. The talk by Elizabeth Gilbert is so apt.
Aesha Shah says
October 2, 2017 at 3:11 pmThis motivational post makes participating in the pro blogger challenge easy. Thanks for this post Lux. Its inspiring. Love for writing should be bigger than one’s ego. Repeated rejections does make one feel disheartened but need to take it in your stride and rise .
Nupur says
October 2, 2017 at 2:07 pmHaving trouble adding my link. It saying Adding link and then it hangs. My link- http://nutatut.com/4-ways-to-break-a-negative-pattern/
Thanks, Corinne.
Shalini says
October 2, 2017 at 1:37 pmThat’s an interesting sight full post, Lux. I have heard of Ted talks and have watched quite a few when in college. Completely forgot about it until I read this post. Thanks for sharing these 3 amazing videos.
Suzy says
October 2, 2017 at 1:33 pmThanks for sharing these TED talks. Loved the one by Elizabeth Gilbert. In the end it doesn’t matter what the outcome is as long as we are doing what we love. So let’s write write write.
Modern Gypsy says
October 2, 2017 at 1:10 pmThese are some inspirational talks! I love the one by Liz Gilbert; bookmarked to listen to the rest at leisure.
Apeksha Rao says
October 2, 2017 at 12:08 pmElizabeth Gilbert’s story is an inspiration to all budding writers. Keep writing, even if it feels like no one wants to read your stuff.
keerthi vydyula says
October 2, 2017 at 11:25 amThese are some very inspirational TEDx talks on writing. Thanks for sharing such useful and informative information Lux!
I loved the talk of Elizabeth Gilbert the most!
Neha Garg says
October 2, 2017 at 10:42 amThank you for collating these motivational videos!!
Vinitha says
October 2, 2017 at 10:36 amYou are right, Lux, the amount of fabricated news available online is terrifying. If I just write down some nonsense and make it sound credible, and post it, there would still be a few people who would believe it. Words must be used with care. I love watching Ted Talks. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post. 🙂
Ramya says
October 2, 2017 at 10:35 amGood that you collated informative TED talks about writing. Will bookmark this post.
Deepa says
October 2, 2017 at 9:50 amThese are all very inspirational. I am going to watch all the videos to know more. Thanks for sharing.
Dipika says
October 2, 2017 at 9:16 amReading such a motivational post first thing in the morning not only makes it bright but also clears many clouds of doubts. Absolutely agree with you on verifying the facts before pressing the share button.
SHALINI BAISIWALA says
October 2, 2017 at 8:53 amI loved the excerpt you pulled out from Elizabeth Gilbert the most! She is right when she says go home – thats where it all is!!!
Thanks for sharing this lovely post Lux and all the best for the Problogger challenge!
Sudha says
October 2, 2017 at 8:23 amHi Lux,
It is indeed true isn’t it that after every failure we succeed.
The idea that a dictionary brings a sense of order to a very chaotic universe was a new thought.
Very interesting article.
Anubhuti Seth says
October 2, 2017 at 8:12 amThis post is like a treasure of information. We definitely need a lot of words to express ourselves. It is an important weapon.
Tina Basu says
October 2, 2017 at 1:57 amThis is a very informative post Lux. We definitely need words – loads and loads of them to define ourselves and express ourselves. Hoping to survive the Pro Blogger challenge!
Geeta Nair says
October 2, 2017 at 12:54 amLux, this is truly informative. Can’t help but agree with you that with there is a lot of false/ fabricated news doing the rounds nowadays.
To identify the right from the false we need to do a research of our own and should not be carried away by our own ideologies.
Sulekha says
October 2, 2017 at 12:40 amLux, well said. Did I ever tell you that my name sounds like yours 🙂 My family and close friends call me Lucks, short for Lucky. Love this one – words are powerful and beautiful and we must use it to make the world better.
Will check out the videos tomorrow. Have just shared my link for the challenge.