On Sunday, TEDxMalibu welcomed 100 spectators to its 3rd annual event at the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue to observe a series of thought-provoking lectures about the topic of desire. The presenters explored desire through a personal lens and offered varied interpretations of this universal human sense.
TED is an acronym that stands for “Technology, Entertainment, Design.” The TED nonprofit organization started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from these worlds with the goal of “ideas worth spreading.” Today, TEDx programs encourage communities, groups and individuals to host independent forums on their own.
With the local event, Malibu residents “have taken to this concept of making these great community events that are not necessarily about what people do for a living, but about who they are and what matters to them the most,” TEDxMalibu producer Lisa Cypers Kamen said in a telephone interview.
In broaching the concept of desire, the event adopted a multidisciplinary approach with speakers ranging from pro surfers to church pastors, medical doctors and more.
Desire to help
Malibu High School junior Claire Thomsen spoke about her “desire to help” during an 11-month trip around the world. Touched by her surroundings in Bhutan, a landlocked country in the Himalayas bordering China and India, Thomsen became inspired to build a library. Partnering with development nonprofit READ Global, Thomsen raised $50,000 to build a library that has impacted an estimated 4,000 lives in the rural country.
Desire for authenticity
Meanwhile, pro surfer Keala Kennelly shared her story about making it in a male-dominated profession. The skepticism people exhibited when they heard about her dream of surfing simply fueled her desire more.
“I knew in my heart that this was for me,” Kennelly said. “I traded my passion for a paycheck.”
Although her journey proved challenging and even landed her in the hospital with injuries at times, she continued to pursue her passion.
“It’s hard to stand up to fears, but once you do it, you can’t live any other way,” Kennelly said
Desire for acceptance
Pastor Craig Gross, founder of the porn addiction website XXXchurch.com, spoke about the “desire of acceptance” when growing up with the Internet. Despite being the generation that is most connected with the Internet, Gross argued, young people today instead have become the least connected to one another.
In a world where people gage their self-worth through Facebook likes, everyone seems to seek validation through superficial channels. In such a skewed reality, Gross said it is even more imperative for parents to maintain concrete communication with their children, particularly about sex given the heightened sexuality presence in the Internet and media.
Desire to Heal
Kirsty Spraggon, a relationship-building expert and online talk show host of Kirsty TV, authored a discussion titled “You’re Only as Sick as Your Secrets.” In it, Kirsty shared that she suffered from a sexually transmitted disease, which affected her both physically and mentally. The secret weighed on her heavily for over a decade, but it was finally when she helped another young woman cope with the same ailment that she was able to confront her own reality and heal. She stressed the importance of being open with the community around you to “lift the shame and stigma” of any secret. “When you turn your secret into your greatest gift and greatest teacher, that’s a good thing,” Kirsty said.
Desire to Live a Healthy Life
Dr. Raymond Hall, nicknamed “The Pillow Doctor,” stressed the link between positive thoughts and health. He referred to a recent study that saying positive things can even boost serotonin levels. Dr. Hall referenced World Health Organization publications in his slides to link positive mood with longevity, and stressed the importance of connecting to a happy outlet.
Other speakers included Shannon Bindler, a “shoeologist” and style editor at the Huffington Post; slam poet Steve Connell and Synergy TV founder Kate Neligan. Next year, TEDxMalibu producer Lisa Kamen hopes to double the license of people allowed to attend from 100 to 200.
In addition to the speakers, audience members also offered their meaning of desire by pinning notes on the “Wall of Desire.” Phrases included: ‘to make love to life,’ ‘passion and purpose,’ ‘finding moments,’ and ‘to exist and fulfill.’
“I find the wall fascinating,” one attendee remarked, “because it demonstrates how individualized the process of self-fulfillment and personal satisfaction really is.”