TED Oxford Fellowship Pros & Cons
Written by ina on Monday, 11 of May , 2009 at 7:18 pm
Last month, I spent a couple of hours applying to TEDGlobal. Admittedly, the biggest reason I did that was because it’s held in Oxford, and me being in my Shakespeare phase… the UK is the one place in the world I’d want to un-hermit myself to go to. I also convinced myself that it’d be a worthwhile experience to attend, if only to meet people who can help sponsor my projects — sadly, the prospect of art for art sans funds just doesn’t work out, especially when (though you thrive at it!) you end up having to do everything yourself. Then again, considering that my formal education is nothing in what I’m perusing independently now (virtual worlds, Shakespeare and virtual theatre, historical reconstructions, medieval studies), maybe I might find some sort of epiphany there that might guide me on a different path…
Reasons why TED should choose me, which I’ve tried to convey within the box limits of the application:
- I create more than I talk. Most of the time I don’t have the time to update my blog; I am so immersed in actually doing things instead of reflecting on them.
- Projects mean more to me than anything else in the world; I exist to create and do.
- I am a true polymath, adept in many things across the spectrum, and not limited to just math/science or arts for example, but in both that and more.
Reasons why TED shouldn’t choose me:
- I might not be sane. My mental processes are abnormal; normal people don’t have their speech functions disabled in order to maximize creativity. My visual IQ typically far overshadows my auditory IQ.
- I’m quite evidently a hermit; I was even candid enough to mention in my application that I find myself antisocial. There’s too much uncertainty in my nature.
- The cynical mentality behind the (Shakespearean) Authorship Question - People might not believe me. Most people don’t sacrifice their lives to do everything well.
And, though I made it to as far as receiving a phone interview from Logan (TED Program Coordinator), today at brunch, the verdict came out the negative with a rejection letter! I believe the phone call revealed my insanity. So, we know now that TED polymaths are the sane types… 
Category: Amusing, Lists, Reflections
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Comment by ann steckel
Made Monday, 11 of May , 2009 at 8:50 pm
You’re one admirable chica. The SL Globe was one of the first places I discovered when I came into SL and confirmed my suspicions that immersive experiences are worthwhile endeavors. Keep up the good fight!
Comment by ina
Made Tuesday, 12 of May , 2009 at 8:40 pm
A TED fellow is most commonly referred to as a polymath, although in implementation, you notice that most people aren’t real polymaths in that their other fields depend heavily on their skills in their main field. But, here’s the deal from TED’s official CFF “Call for Fellows“: “We are looking for an eclectic, heterogeneous group of young thinkers and doers from the fields of technology, entertainment, design, the sciences, engineering, humanities, the arts, economics, business, journalism, entrepreneurship and NGOs… At TED, we can take risks on unconventional innovators. We value achievement over credentials — making and doing over merely talking.”
Polymath was what I’ve always been — even before I’ve even heard of TED (and only last month — yup, admittedly, I’m a bit out of it! I’m attempting seclusion both as a personal experiment and for creativity’s sake), and, achievement over credentials is what I’ve basically sacrificed everything for. There’s a certain sacredness (imho) in doing something *good* over just having a piece of paper or stamp for it. But, the problem with TED is that it’s a talk thing — just being a maker-doer doesn’t count (and you notice that many TED talks, especially those on creativity, are really just talks, without much substance).
