Konnichiwa! Summer has finally arrived in Japan, and the new season marks an important event in my social calendar: TEDxTokyo 2013. Although I could not obtain tickets for the live event, I was able to attend the live public screening at Shibuya Hikarie 8/COURT.
The theme for TEDxTokyo 2013 is ‘1+1=11’ which meant “don’t take things for granted”. The ideas that inspired us the most are usually the ones that challenge our common thinking. This is the spark that TEDxTokyo 2013 aims to inspire in all of us.
Once the event venue was opened, everyone quickly found their best seats in the house to enjoy the interesting line-up of over 30 talks for the day. At 9am sharp, the presenter announced the opening of TEDxTokyo 2013, and the event kicked off with a spectacular display of classic Edo magic, known as tezuma, by Kohtaro Fujiyama. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu8Dla5rASU)
As a pleasant surprise, members of the audience were encouraged to take to the stage and share their ideas during brief breaks between talks.
One of my favorite talks of the day was by Gunter Pauli on “Catalyst, Innovation Driver and Blue Economist”. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKS_nZP8LMM) Gunter Pauli is a renowned serial entrepreneur, author and initiator of The Blue Economy. His notion of a Blue Economy and his radical entrepreneurial ideas embodied the event’s theme of challenging our common thinking.
You can check out the following video which explains the concepts of the Blue Economy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1af08PSlaIs
I would also recommend everyone to check out the great session by Gaunter Pauli in TEDxTaipei 2011:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWauj7_hyWU
I would like to congratulate TEDxTokyo team for organizing a great event. It was truly an inspiring day filled with great ideas and conversations with innovators and change agents. I enjoyed myself at the event and I am looking forward to the next TED event in Tokyo and Singapore.
You can enjoy the videos for TEDxTokyo 2013 at their Youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsRNoUx8w3rM-qjY05E1LorJK3hf2EEzK
What do you think of the TEDxTokyo 2013? Do you have other great events to recommend for us to participate? Do share with us your recommendations in the comments below and we might just do a special report based on your recommendations!
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