Jennifer Gardy

Date: October 18, 2014

Name: TEDXVancouver 2014

Presenters: Keith Elwood, Coleen Christie, Victor Chan, Terry Pearson, Jennifer Gardy, Peter Gregson, Jeff Mudgett, Lesley Kim, Jessica O’Reilly, Charles Montgomery, Treana Peake, Jay Demerit, and Chip Wilson

TEDXVancouver is independently organized TED events that shares innovation ideas together with the community. The purpose of TEDX conference is to provide opportunities to join ideas together with community, connection, and conversation. With the host, Riaz Meghji, will invite world leading leaders to speak and interact with audience in Vancouver. The topic is “Tilt”, which means the shift of change or ideas to break pattern. Tilt is a cycle of life and the presentation will take the audience to different stages. The conference will inspire people with remarkable ideas and change the modern pattern to new innovative trend. Each presenter will give 18 minutes to present his or her subject.

Keith Elwood

Keith Elwood is a geographer from US Bureau of the Census. He assists the building of the first geocoding applications of the TIGER System, which leads to the creation of e nationwide digital map database known as GPS. Elwood believes his passion will direct him to emerge stronger technologies that can help mankind in everyday environment.

Elwood always believes the connection of people and surrounding is mandatory in the world today. Moreover, he is fascinated when GPS is created to assist people’s lives. GPS is a tool that can answer “Where am I?”, “Where am I going?” and “How I get there?” In addition, the algorithm of GPS is using network data map to minimize the travel time from one destination to another.

Back in the old days, people are all man maker, which means people have the ability to explore the surrounding. Everyone has a mental map that can define their personal and lifelong project. With mental map, people are able to eliminate stress and build on existing ideas. However, with the invention of GPS, people tend to lose the ability to create mental map. People rely on GPS technology and no matter how advance system GPS has, there is always room for direction or misleading error.

The system needs to address common sense and skepticism. People will lose situational awareness when they rely on machine. Therefore, people need to engineer themselves to trust common sense and let them drive the direction instead of letting machine drive their directions.

“Stop look at the screen, you should look at the window sometimes”

Coleen Christie

The anchor for CTV News Vancouver, Coleen Christie, reports news and events for Vancouver lower mainland. Christie seeks the opportunity to broadcast CTV Olympic. Throughout her career, Christie works as a producer and director for CTV network.

Christie defines news as a product to be sold to consumers. It is a product that has leverage of power. Moreover, news has shift from newspaper to digital. The major issue with news today is the consumers. Consumers do not fully trust the news they see on television.

Christie shares information through mainstream news. The news team will assemble all local news. In addition, debate will take place to discuss ideas that can attract attention from audience. Reporters will assemble the news and deliver to audience. News that has no value will not air.

Christie believes the perception of bias is something news cannot avoid. The mainstream news does not have political agenda. Discipline is needed and it is important to present facts without personal emotion attachment. In addition, mainstream news cannot take side.

Bias is bad for news in business. The average attention span for people these days is around 2 minutes. Therefore, boredom is bias and social media involves bias. People are subject creators of the news today and they will pick and choose their news from their subconscious minds.

News media comes from freedom and bias. People can get facts from any source, but news can provide content to people. Christie believes in this society, they need to battle consumers’ bias and provide more diverse news to the world.

Victor Chan

Victor Chan works 42 years of experience with Dalai Lama. They founded the Dalai Lama center for Peace and Education in Vancouver in 2004 to help students to experience meditation. Chan has interviewed the Dalai Lama extensively and successfully bond a unique friendship. With his experience with the practice, he introduces the importance of mindfulness.

Chan believes mindfulness comes from focus and pay attention to mental and physical wellbeing. The idea is originally from India and it is the mental technique to improve life. The outcome will help people to be kinder to people around them. Moreover, it sends a powerful message to feel satisfaction about life.

In Chan’s first 20 years in Hong Kong, he finds himself to be tired and lost. He is trained to believe education is the most important in life. During his Afghanistan trip, he was kidnap. They travel to mountains and face the critical moment in his life. The unexpected event leads him to meet Dalai Lama.

With a special interaction, Dalai Lama and Chan both are bonded. Chan realizes there is a rebellion from Hong Kong, which is to change the existing education system in Hong Kong. After meeting with Dalai Lama, he leads many people to meditation and practice mindfulness. Moreover, Chan emphasizes to use Mindfulness technique to change students’ state of mind and balance the sense of wellbeing. People can feel less bullied.

Chan believes there is a momentum embedded in education system. By providing education with sense of fulfillment and social responsibility, students will have self-confidence to lead their lives successfully. Empathy is an important lesson to learn and Chan will use mindfulness to make students’ lives better.

Terry Pearson

Dr. Terry Pearson is a biochemistry and microbiology professor in the University of Victoria. He founded the SISCAPA Assay Technologies Inc. to research and develops diagnostic tests for personalized medicine. His research helps people in Africa to lead cure from tropical diseases and sleeping sickness. Moreover, his research discoveries have led many development of clinical diagnostic medicine.

From the result of heath research, he believes everyone has unique biomarkers in their blood. In fact, he also believes the whole universe can be identified from a drop of blood.

Molecules from blood indicate health or disease. It is translated through the flow of biomakers. Biomakers discovers wellness, fitness, stress, and cancer. Moreover, diagnostic tests will determine biomakers to distinguish individual health outcome. Even though people might look alike, their biochemical biomarkers are different.

In the current health care system, the outcome is compared with the herd. It will flag the result if biomakers shows abnormal status comparing with others. In the diagnostic testing, researchers will track each biomakers and provide antibiotic for patients.

Pearson believes the current health care system needs to change. Currently, the health care system uses reactive approach, which means patients will seek medical solution when they discover medical problems first. Pearson believes the health care system should be proactive approach, which means the test will discover the health problem and prevent patients from getting worst in their condition. The research from biomakers will help the health care system to change from reactive to proactive one day.

Jennifer Gardy and Peter Gregson

Jennifer Gardy is a senior scientist in Molecular Epidemiology at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. Her research focuses on DNA sequencing to provide solution for public health problems. Peter Gregon is an award winning cellist and musician that reinvigorating the classical genre with technologies. His passion is to bring engage contemporary music with the digital generation. Together, Gardy and Gregson will bring science and art together and form an extraordinary discovery.

Gardy and Gregson believe there is a way to connect between science and art. In Gardy’s research, chimpanzee is the closest animal to human. Human has a complex system and the main element diverse from chimpanzee and human is creativity. The origin of this research is to look closely to DNA.

DNA is building blocks of gene and the origin lies on gene. Human’s skills evolve when generation goes. DNA will change and shift from generations. In average, human has about 3 billion genes, but human does not have the biggest amount comparing to all animals on earth. Moreover, human also does not have the most types of genes either. What makes the difference is the junk DNA. The junk DNA contains the modify behavior of genes which make language and culture.

Gardy and Gregson believe it is possible to change DNA data to music. This is a called DNA data “songification”. By assigning pitches to the graph of the DNA chromosomes, musician can generate melody with repeat sequence and pattern.

Music is not just about notes, and it is about the spaces between. Music from DNA shows biology does not need to play by the rules. Therefore, science and art are related and music is one of the ways to illustrate the similarity.

Jeff Mudgett

Jeff Mudgett is a lawyer and entrepreneur from the western United States. During his career, he discovers his grandfather, H.H. Holmes, might be the true identity of the Chicago murder case Jack the Ripper. He will take through the audience the evidence he discovered and determine whether or not Holmes and Ripper are related.

In Exhibit A, Mudgett shows a 7 days transit ship and obtain the passenger list. In Exhibit B, the letter that Holmes writes to his lawyer shows his presence in London. In Exhibit C, Holmes is on all major newspaper. In Exhibit D, the autopsy report indicates the suspect is a surgeon and expert in knives. This narrows down 2 suspects. In Exhibit E, based on all witnesses’ interviews, the face of suspect is generated and Holmes and Ripper have similar face structure. Exhibit F shows a letter that is signed by Jack the Ripper when the victim is discovered. The handwriting is identical to Holmes based on the University of Buffalo professional opinion.

The result from audience shows guilty based on all the facts. However, all facts prove Holmes is a potential suspect, not the murder. This shows the power of evident can sometimes mislead people’s perspectives. Mudgett will take this result and go back to the case for further investigation.

Lesley Kim

Lesley Kim is one of 9 greatest Canadians by Noteable. Her efforts inspire people around the world to bring positive awareness in any situation. She organizes Spectacle, a gala that raise over $130 thousands for Seva Canada, the organization that educates blindness prevention. She will continue her work with Seva Canada to spread the awareness and help others in needs.

Lesley Kim has the passion in culinary arts and pursuing her dream career as a chef. However, an unexpected event of lost pregnancy forces her to lose hopes. The toxic feeling revolves around her and provides stress in her life direction. During a year of Halloween, bottle rockets hits her in her left eye and explode. Her left eye is destroyed and by looking at the mirror, she is totally lost everything she hopes for.

After the surgery, a phone call from her sister changes her life around, and begins to learn to ask for help. She let go everything and face the reality. She works with the community support by forming fundraising to help blind. During the fundraising, she receives a video from Europe that inspires her to continue her destiny.

Kim learns to let go and trust the process. She begins to travel around the world and volunteer in the hospital. She realizes the reaction from parents face when their children are in surgery reflects their true impression. In addition, she starts to appreciate life even more. She forgives the person is responsible for the incident because she understands revenge will not get her left eye back. She also learns it is wrongfully to compare the loss of the eye and the loss of pregnancy.

Kim is now able to let go the control, pride and judgment. She believes happiness is a choice and appreciation is above all. It is important to understand it is a part of life. Life is a like ride and the point of going down is to appreciate the high.

Kim is truly gain the greater vision and Kim realizes human is design to heal, not destroy.

“Do not let trauma get you. Understand how strong you are.”

Jessica O’Reilly

Jessica O’Reilly is a sexologist and the author of “The New Sex Bible”, “The Little Book of Kink”, and “Hot Sex Tips, Tricks and licks”. Her work inspires many large national broadcast companies. She also hosts the reality TV show called “Swing” from Playboy TV.

As a Sexologist PHD, she discovers there is a major crisis that can affect personal level and tear family apart. The issue is spreading and influencing modern marriage. The marriage divorce is over 40% in the world and the satisfaction rate from marriage partners is dramatically decreasing. In divorce, 60% of men and 50% of women are trying to flirt away other spouse.

O’Reilly believes marriage is a failure in human design. If something goes wrong or does not work, it is important to go back and innovate from fundamental. From the research, there are three alternatives or options for failed marriage couples. They can do polyamory, swinging, and general open relationship. However, open relationship only has 14 to 15% success rate because in our subconscious mind, people are trained to loyal to one mate.

Based on the current generation, people can distinguish themselves from the relationship scale of either monogamists or non-monogamists. A majority of people are somewhere in middle. The research shows the result is to introduce the solution of Monogam-ish.

Monogam-ish is a new way to help marriage. Marriage couples can think but not act, which means they can think about another mate but not act on that thought. They can talk but not touch, which means they can flirt but no physical. For more advance, they can enjoy live nudes and sex phone line together to spice up the enjoyment. The idea of the environment will change the energy of the marriage.

“Monogam-ish is a mindset, not a formula”

O’Reilly discovers Monogam-ish can deal with jealousy and heal a little at a time. The process will convert the love relationship from hot to lust. It is important to make rules for right circumstances. The boundary will act like a rubber band, which can stretch and expand.

The science of Monogam-ish is to create habits from emotional expression, balance between connectivity and freedom and active on sex life. Therefore, spouse can talk about their feeling, expand self-theory, and put some effort in sex life.

Monogami-ish is not polyamory, swinging or open relationship, it is a way to improve sex relationship from marriage.

Charles Montgomery

An award winning author and urban experimentalist, Charles Montgomery, creates experiment that can help cities around the world to look at different views around neighborhood. During Vancouver 2010 Olympics, he manages to initiate people to open their homes to strangers. In addition, his passion continues to advice many decision makers around the world to inspire and change their cities to have happier environment.

Montgomery passion is to make a happy city. In New York, he conducts his first experiment called “Love night”. The purpose is to get New Yorkers to trust each other in the city. From psychologist’s point of view, when people hold something warm, they will change their feelings towards others. As for the artist’s point of view, people will connect when they are doing something together as a team.

Montgomery believes people will release oxytocin when warm feeling comes. This comes from hugs. In his book, he discovers the most important ingredient is social connection. Happy comes from social, and more trusting cities will result of happier cities. Therefore, when trust in neighbors is increasing, life satisfaction will increase.

“Money matters, but social connection matters more”

The system in cities can influence people’s lives and cities design people’s emotional. If there is a change in infrastructure, people will not feel lonely. It is important to find new ways of feelings towards cities and connect with nature. Instead of city like (close doors), the structure should be town style (open doors). This will help with new tourist.

The conclusion of the love night experiment in New York is positive. People in New York feel more welcome when they are socially connected.

“The way we design has effect on people, and architect can design better for happier city”

Treana Peake

Treana Peake is the founder of the luxury fashion line Obakki Foundation. Her passion of innovative philanthropy leads to grow in communities. Her leadership receives public recognition from international companies. From her work, she develops a new type of fundraising model that engages dynamic and inspiring.

When Peake’s children donate their allowance to homelessness, she realizes the reason behind their children’s actions is “because they need it”. People have layers in their actions of either benefit or protect; however, children share their assets because others need it. People start to forget the main motion of giving and focus on the cost of layers. People tend to make two-way deals and consider the opportunity cost between the deals.

Peake believes if there is no repayment, people will give without thinking for return. This kindness and compassion is a part of human nature. Even though there is a different set of values, people will follow the process of interaction. For example, if someone buys a stranger behind him or her in the line a coffee, the act of kindness will follow the next person.

“With no payback, it will ignite the passion”

During the 25 years in Africa, Peake witnesses the share of giving. People provide medical and education to others. The inspiration comes from transformation and giving. The gift of kindness unites everyone together. Someone, with the gift of kindness, provides financial resource to Peake’s family for many years. This act of kindness inspires Peake to continue her passion to help others.

Act of kindness impact people’s lives. The rapport effect will shape people. Furthermore, smallest favors impact largest change.

Jay Demerit

Jay Demerit, the Captain of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, is a legacy and a hero in many professional soccer players. His story motivates many young amateurs and inspires many athletes to continue following their dreams. After retirement, he and his wife form the Rise & Shine Retreat in Pemberton Valley to offer soccer programs for many youth. His journey will be remembered and passed on to many generations.

Demerit’s greatest tilt is the last goal before his retirement. During his last game, he smiles because his mindset is always prepared and ready. Demerit emphasizes people are wired to prepare for the worst. However, people will over prepare the worst and under prepare for the best.

During his university life, he begins his passion of becoming a soccer player. He is not a defender, but he seeks the opportunity to try out for defender position. Even though he did not get draft, he will continue to follow his dream. He starts his journey by moving to England. His lifestyle is giving a hard time for him, but his passion and mindset help him to focus and trust his choice.

Demerit does all the practices and exercises whenever he can. All he is waiting for is an opportunity to shine. When the coach asks him to play for starting lineup on the last pre game, he is ready and prepared to prove himself. Nevertheless, he manages to get 1 year contract from the performance.

An unexpected event happens during his journey. Demerit’s eye is injured. He races the time to save his eyes and formulate 3 months recover plan. He wants to play at the world cup, so he concentrates on his recovery after the surgery. After his recovery, his manager gives him a shot for the World Cup line up. He shifts the focus and does what he does best. Lastly, 2 months later, he is able to play in the World Cup.

Demerit suggests people should have a success plan. They need to know what their directions and how to get there. It is important to know the work through and prepare for any opportunity.

“Put effort, focus on positive, and you will be on the path of success”

Chip Wilson

As the Chairman of Lululemon, Chip Wilson is a successful entrepreneur and business leader. He receives the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year for Innovation and Marketing from Ernst & Young. He also receives the Distinguished Entrepreneur award from University of Victoria. Moreover, He sponsors BC Children’s hospital and he contributes his commitment to communities by forming Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to educate students in innovative design for fashion, interiors, graphics, product and technical apparel.

Chip Wilson’s passion continues to support people to take ideas to action. His passion comes from doing realistic work with people he loves, children and education. He is influenced by treating people well and the quality of products.

He sees his business logos as product that everybody wants. His logo gives him the confirmation that his idea is correct.

Wilson defines news media as delivery of facts. News has become entertainment and many people cannot tell the difference. More bloggers are expressing their media perspectives and news become like commodities. Wilson believes the great journalist cannot get the true words out anymore. Everybody hires public relation representatives and they are creating news. He believes in this generation, people are not as focused as before.

Wilson gives opportunities in women’s leadership. Wilson’s grandmother is a business women and he understands the hard work behind women’s leadership. Currently there are about 60% of graduates are woman, and he realizes the market segment for 32 years old women is about to be married. He seeks this opportunity by sustain the women’s work force.

“There is customer like that, and there will be employee like that”

Wilson is happy with his current stage of his life. His wife supports him and run charity like business, which is to focus on quality education for children. He sees his future legacy by asking himself “what it is to be great”, “is life worth living?” and “The way of life”.