It was billed as UncharTED, but there were lots of good suggestions put forth for finding one’s way at TEDxUMKC, a community forum at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Through ten presenters and several videos, the schedule ran the gamut from a local proponent of biking and walking to a health media expert, social documentarians, an economist, a performance artist and others.
Organizers had assembled an eclectic group, carefully selected for their breadth of knowledge and experience. The widely varied professions and interests were a bonus.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives
On a video, speaker Joe Sabia credited Lothar Meggendorfer, father of the popup book, with moving storytelling from dependence on the printed word into other realms – eventually including movies, television, computers, phones and almost any electronic device with a screen.
As a restaurateur, Anton Kotar played off the theme of using a recipe to live sustainably. Kotar attributed fatherhood to making him think differently about the use and misuse of resources; so, when he prepared to open Anton’s Tap Room, he saved, recycled or repurposed almost everything in the original building. From there he increased trade with local organic farmers, canned produce for the winter months and installed an aquaponic system to raise his own fish. For those who needed further convincing, Kotar talked about his business ledger – his investments were nearly paid for by reduced electricity and water bills.
Jazz musician Karrin Allyson played piano and sang, accompanied by her guitarist-sideman Rod Fleeman. Their music drew loud cheers and applause from the audience, but Allyson turned attention to her core message – music can inspire and unlock what’s inside you. She recounted the recent scientific search for reasons why group singing calms and at the same time invigorates the singers. The choir experience seems to be the ideal medicine – it brings about a pleasant tranquility and lifts your mood.
Allyson was less flattering about the business side of music, letting a Hunter Thompson quote speak for her: “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
“Smile” and “O Pato” displayed Allyson’s enormous talent and proof that she lives by her own words – “Make a life. Live an artful life.”