Dish-Houston

By DISH Contributor John Canales Gorczynski:

TEDxHouston has for the second year in a row made me more proud to be a Houstonian than any other event. Some of our region’s brightest minds presenting to hundreds of creative, engaged residents will do that. The theme this year was “Where do we go from here?” and rather than give you a blow-by-blow account of each speakers’ presentation, I’ll use this space to share keys lessons learned that might help you go on in your journey.

Dr. Roberta Ness, Dean of the University of Texas School of Public Health, was startled by a colleague into researching creativity. In short, creativity is a combination of the inherent skill in the individual and the creative techniques learned. Most importantly, if we want to be creative, we must break the “frames”, or set of cognitive and emotional expectations we use to take in new information and ideas. We can do that by careful observation, changing our point of view, and reversal of the observed.

Kurt Podeszwa, Director at Camp For All, made it clear that Selfish Selflessness can change your life. I’ll save his take on what sacrifice is for when the videos are posted, and let you know how he thinks you can get the most out of service. Serve in your strength, serve to learn something new, and serve with an open mind. This former Marine made it clear that he gets way more out of helping every person, regardless of physical or mental ability, to experience camp, than he puts into it. The fulfillment on this guy’s face is enough to convince me to follow his simple three steps.

Michael Skelly, President of Clean Line Energy, made it clear that Houston is poised to be the world capital of clean energy as we have been the petroleum revolution. We need to work to make sure our city is welcoming to the people whose passion it is to develop and market these emerging technologies. Draw your own conclusions about how we improve our schools, clean our air and improve cultural opportunities.

Will Reed, President and CEO of Technology for All, made it clear that there are three steps to digital inclusion: a device, bandwidth, and the skills to use the technology. Tech for All is doing exciting things in Houston’s under-served communities to bring all three elements of digital necessities to people including the very first wifi network broadcasting on the old analog television frequencies.

And finally, the one who I believe will be picked up by the national TED organization to be shared globally, Angela Blanchard, CEO of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Angela and her team have had success working in some of the regions toughest neighborhoods because they approach communities with new first questions: what works? Who do you rely on? What do you love about where you live? These questions, rather than what’s wrong? How does crime effect you? What the nastiest problem in your neighborhood? Optimism matters. If you anticipate good, you tend to find it.