Internal TED Talk

I have all these ideas for TED talks. Teaching gives me a first-hand view of what kids are like these days and, since I have many of varying backgrounds and ethnicities and abilities, I am privy to their worlds. Most times, their worlds aren’t that interesting. They watch Youtube. They listen to music that Ryan Seacrest plays for them. They don’t get out much and, when they do, it’s to a place they’re probably familiar with–someplace safe. But they’re not bad kids. Some are curious and interesting and soak up knowledge.
TED talks are supposed to be somewhat positive, which is what I’m working on in my head. I’m a huge fan of Brave New World and 1984, knowing the easy differences between both. However, both those books were warnings for future societies, and I don’t think enough people have read the books or understand what’s going on in the world.
Henry Ford’s quote, “History is more or less bunk,” is shortened by Huxley to “History is bunk,” as Mustapha Mond walks with and lectures a group of young students. With a wave of his hand, Mond destroys cities, leaders, anything he desires from history, as it is not important to the youth of BNW. In 1984, history is messed with, is changed to fit the Party’s ideal. And the people of both societies are too busy or stupid or both to know the difference, or care.
My TED talk is what I neglected to tell enough parents last night–let your sons and daughters into your world. Sure, it’s gross and old and cringe-worthy to them, but if you don’t immerse them in it, history is going away.
Do today’s kids need to know disco? Yep. They pay big bucks to take drugs and gyrate at EDM shows, which is just disco through a guy’s computer.
Do they need to know older movies? Yes.
Directors of those movies? Yes.
Do they need to know everything that was going in their parents’ worlds. Why not?
Parents, stop hiding your histories from your kids. Trust me, as an oldster, we know way more and are way cooler. If we don’t give them more of our histories, what are our kids going to talk about? Because if they stop knowing about the past, and they stop talking and questioning, someone else is going to talk and decide for them.
I’m still working on how to make that positive, though.