Sometimes I am completely flabbergasted by how often I have to defend my use of the word Feminism or the fact that I label myself a Feminist.
I truly believe that to champion for women's rights is to champion for human rights. While the discrepancy is magnified in other areas of the world, there are still major issues that need to be addressed right here in our home. Domestic violence, rape, and controlling a woman's right to choose - all of these are worldwide issues that also definitely plague us here in North America. Did you know that over half of all Canadian women have experienced domestic violence? Look around at the women in your life. Are you aware that one to two women are murdered by a current or former partner each week in Canada? Chances are there is a woman in your life who is experiencing violence at the hand of her partner every day.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day I am posting this magnificent TED talk by Feministing Editor and author of the book "Do It Anyway: The New Generation of Activists" Courtney Martin. She discusses the modern era of feminism - How it isn't about birkenstocks and man-hating (I don't believe it ever was....) and reinventing the word so more people understand that it is about lifting women up, reinforcing their human rights, and helping them have a positive impact on the world around them.
My favourite part of this TED video? When Ms Martin announces the activist who had the largest impact on her own worldview: Her mother. It inspires me as a mother to keep campaigning for what I believe in, that I can have a positive impact on the world in which my children will live and grow.
Courtney Martin: Reinventing feminism
I've said it before and I'll say it again. As women, we are beautiful flowers - we can also be sparks of change. Have a lovely International Women's Day.
For more facts or information on violence and Canadian women, or to help with the cause, please visit the Canadian Women Foundation
If you are someone who doesn't understand what feminism is or why anyone would ever claim to be a feminist, this TED Tuesday is for you. This TED video, from the perspective of a man and father, changed how I approach the issue, especially now as a mother.
During pregnancy, I often wondered how mothering would fit into my feminist viewpoint. Or how feminism would fit into my mothering viewpoint. I had become a feminist breeder and was curious about what kind of impact this would have on how I felt about certain issues.
I knew just how to handle myself if we had a girl. All the things I would say, the opportunities I would offer her.
But oh, no. We had a boy. A beautiful boy, but in regards to my feminism... seriously outside my realm of experience. It might seem strange, but amongst all the soul-searching questions I asked myself, one that appears and re-appears often is - "How will I raise my boy to be a respectful feminist?"
To be honest, simply avoiding gender stereotypes has been hard enough. And then to add this notion of raising a respectful young person who grows up to be conscientious and respectful to all genders, while remaining knowledgeable about hurtful preconceived ideas... Well, it will be a journey we will explore together to say the least.
Tony Porter's A Call to Men TED speech came at me out of left field. As he tells powerful and moving stories from his own life, he is honest and vulnerable - he allows himself to say what I have rarely heard men say before: Don't "act like a man." The cliche to "act like a man" alone is so telling about our social climate where young boys are told that if they don't demonstrate power and control (especially over women), then they aren't really a man - and if they aren't a man, they are worthless. As worthless as what? A woman?
I had the pleasure of attending one of Carl Honore's lectures last year. He was a deliberate, funny, and thoughtful speaker who brought a lot to ponder to the table. He spoke of his family, what was important to him, and how slowing down his life made it easier for him to enjoy even the smallest slices of life.
I think that some people are naturally better at this than others. For some of us, it is a conscious choice to take a step back, eliminate those extra stressors in our lives, and enjoy what we've got.
So instead of stressing and hemming and hawing over a complex TED Tuesday feature post this week, I'm going to side with slowness and simply share the video. And I'm going to take that extra time I've saved and savor a delicious meal with my family. Happy Birthday, Mom!
Can I admit that I swing back and forth between skepticism and blind faith? I know, I know... if Carl Sagan were alive today, he'd probably have something to say about it. So does my handsome mandude, and on a regular basis, too, whenever I toss salt over my shoulder, hesitate before opening an umbrella indoors, or (yes! I admit it!) talk to him about my favourite rocks and crystals. Placebo effect or not, I love my quartz.
Using video and music, skeptic Michael Shermer explains why people see the Virgin Mary on a cheese sandwich or hear demonic lyrics in "Stairway to Heaven" and shows how we convince ourselves to believe -- and overlook the facts.
Though I can identify with what Mr. Shermer says - all of it rings true - I still get creeped out when using the Ouija Board. Whether you are a skeptic or not, anybody with style and smarts will appreciate any of the following completely awesome pieces:
When I was a child we used to run a lemonade stand in front of our house in the summer time. We would make lemonade and charge 25 cents a cup and close neighbours would come, pat us on the head and buy a glass. When we realized we had tapped out our market, we offered lemonade AND iced tea. After that fizzled out and most of our nearby friends and neighbours had a taste of each, we realized we needed more business. We set up signs and sent little sisters and brothers out on their bikes to holler our address at people to get them to come. Then we realized that my cousin lived just two blocks away but directly in front of a playground, and the walking traffic there was ten fold what we were seeing. Soon, the lemonade stand was moved and we were on our way to riches as far as an 8 year old can see!
Our lemonade stand would have never gotten off the ground if we didn't get the help from our parents. A float to make change, cups and materials offered for free, and emotional support when business became slow - they constantly asked us what more we could do to sell lemonade to people who wanted some.
Maybe they simply thought it was cute, but I'm sure they knew that even though we didn't rake in big money - enough to buy a ton of candy, I'm sure! - we were learning valuable life lessons with every quarter we earned.
This TED talk was filmed at my local TED gathering and Cameron Herold is a home-grown Canadian boy who speaks of a school system that tried to fit his square peg into a round hole - and how he and his father cultivated certain skills which allowed him to succeed despite the odds.
Here is where I disagree with what he has to say:
Cheating to get to the top is never okay. If it isn't working for you, find another path. But don't cheat those who work hard out of what they have earned.
If you are going to be an entrepreneur, offer fair trades. Better your own situation by bettering the situation of those around you at the same time. Everybody wins when people are paid what they are worth.
Not all schools and teachers are out to crush your kids into a mold.
Here is where I agree with what he has to say:
Kids do need to be taught to negotiate, to think critically about the service they receive, to be creative, to handle failure and still move forward, and to be comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.
Entrepreneur does not have to be a dirty word.
Our life mistakes should lead us to where we are, not bring us down. Did Mr. Herold partake in a few activities that would be considered unethical? Yes. But ultimately he learned from those mistakes to create his own success.
How can one gigantic Rube Goldberg Machine and a 3 minute 45 second music video teach us about the intricacies of life?
-The small stuff may stink, but it is absolutely essential.
-While planning is important, so is flexibility.
A Rube Goldberg Machine
-Life can be messy. And difficult. But the ending is always worth it.
-This, too, shall pass.
Why am I posting this TED video that is basically a glorified music video? Not only because I believe that there is much to be learned from their experience, but also because I have never seen such an intricate music video in my life (If you have, please post a link in the comments!), and I do believe that video art is still art. This OKGo video is indeed art to me. Plus, not only can I watch this video over and over without catching each intricacy - I also get a little emotional at the end when I realize that the team needed 85 takes to get the job done. They must have been so elated and relieved!
I'm going to preface this by saying that I have been, at many times in my life, a pedestrian, a cyclist, and a motorist.
I know what it is like to be cycling on a busy road, to feel intimidated by other vehicles around you. And I know what it is like to be hit by a truck while cycling! I'll just say, none of it is fun. I go out of my way to be non-aggressive when I am passing a cyclist, to leave the appropriate amount of space (half a lane), and to stay calm behind a biker even when I have somewhere I really need to be right. now. But it really really really irks me when cyclists don't take the time to follow the rules of the road themselves. Most of those rules are there to protect themselves! And many of them are there to uphold a standard which helps motorists know to respect cyclists as a vehicle.
What is this all about, you might be asking, why is Farren ranting about cyclists today? Did a cyclist kill her entire family?!
No, no... This post is actually about Expectations. It is popular these days, and especially in my circle of friends, to expect very little from those around us. We are all people with our own predisposed ideas and we will all make our own decisions, and they may seem random at times, so don't expect anything from anyone, and the world is your oyster, correct? While I do agree in some cases and situations, I also wholeheartedly disagree. I do have certain expectations. I expect you not to spit in my food, I expect you to be honest when speaking, and I expect you to respect all living things. These are common expectations, no?
So the other day, I am driving down a long and winding road and there is a cyclist in front of me. Since I am about to turn right onto a one-way street, I decide to slow and wait for the cyclist instead of passing and immediately turning in front of them. To my surprise we turn the corner together, and he immediately darts to the left directly in front of my car - out of his designated bike lane - and takes the first left without signaling to me at any point! I had to slam on my brakes to avoid him. My first instinct? My window was already down, so I called after him - "PLEASE SIGNAL!"
Rude? Maybe. It embarrassed the manfriend something awful. He argued that yelling out a car window probably won't influence anyone and instead they might defiantly ignore my request... my request to look after his own safety. I considered his point for a long time, I really did. After all, you do attract more bees with honey (or flowers, really!!), than vinegar.
F.Y.I.
But ultimately, I have decided that it is not only appropriate for me to register my expectation that he communicate with me properly while putting his life at risk - it is necessary. Maybe he had never even considered signaling before. And whether or not my request influenced his decision, I can only control my output and not the reactions of others - but I do feel that it is absolutely VITAL that, as a society, we communicate our expectations to the others who share our communities. This is how we build vibrant and respectful places to work and live! If it happened again, I would do the same thing. Cyclists need to signal if they want to be successful and alive at the end of their journeys, and I'm willing to be that jerk who tells them. Besides, I said "please."
By being idealists about the intentions and the power of humankind, we are pushing ourselves to attain those goals, says Viktor Frankl, legendary psychiatrist and Holocaust-survivor, as he delivers a powerful four and a half minute long message on why it is important to believe in others. This TED Talk was actually filmed in 1976 and has been declared by TED to be "best of the web" and definitely worth seeing. Please spare the 4:21 to listen to this funny man tell you about the human search for meaning -- and the most important gift we can give others.
In many ways, we do create our own reality, and in general, the people around us will rise or fall to our expectations. Do you think it was wrong of me to request this cyclist signal?
When I was 15 years old, my naive self fell desperately in love with a tall ginger-haired athletic boy who ended up -predictably to everyone else- breaking my heart. And in the entire time that I basked in that silly teenage romance, I have but one regret; I can remember the day that he asked me, in front of his guy friends of course, if I was a Feminist. I had no idea how to answer. I spun the question and told him that I believed women deserved equal rights and equal opportunities. But his friends chose to laugh and call me a "feminazi," that I was probably going to burn my bras and expect better jobs than men. Why this didn't enrage me, I'm not sure. My boyfriend - and in my 15 year old heart, my One True Love - took my hand and asked sincerely, "You aren't actually a Feminist, are you? You aren't a feminazi?" And, regretfully, I said No. I'm not.
Since that time in my life I have done a lot of growing, a lot of reading, and a lot of self-reflection. I can remember the day in University that I stood up and started telling people - "Of COURSE I'm a feminist, and I will be until I feel that championing this cause is overkill." But sadly, that day hasn't come. Realistically, it may never come in my lifetime, and that is why - I explained to anyone who would listen - it was up to us to tell people that we aren't afraid to call ourselves Feminists in order to highlight the gap that still exists. As Kavita Ramdas, today's speaker, says: "Feminism is not about fighting one distinct oppressor. Its against a deeply held set of beliefs and assumptions that we, as women, hold ourselves far too often."
This week's TED Tuesday Talk is given by Kavita Ramdas, a brilliant woman and feminist who has traveled the globe speaking to amazing women everywhere. Her insights are wrought with experience, anger, acceptance, and intelligence. In a time when women are universally seeking to overthrow many traditions, she gives her speech about Radical Women Embracing Tradition - and how this empowers them to make change.
We can be flowers, we can also be sparks of change.
I'm back! I took a long hiatus from this blog, and I'm sorry to anyone who came to find my weekly feature and found nothing, for quite some time. I was dealing with a few new health situations that were putting a lot of things into perspective and some priorities had to be changed around.
BUT GUESS WHAT! I feel great today! I feel amazing lately. I am inspired by the world, inspired by possibilities and ideas, and I'm back to share them with you. After all, TED's tagline runs: "Ideas worth Spreading," and I have to agree.
A Child Receives a Free Bed Net
Today's idea worth sharing is from Esther Duflo, who has worked with researchers to find not only efficient, but effective ways to fight poverty. Her and her team have some incredibly simple solutions, and some very incredible findings while working and experiementing in Africa - that, in my opinion, highlight the similarities in our interaction with the world.
Will bed nets and lentils save Africa? Maybe not, but it will save Africans. Perhaps this is an idea worth listening to...
Temple Grandin: The world needs all kinds of minds
"Temple Grandin, diagnosed with autism as a child, talks about how her mind works -- sharing her ability to "think in pictures," which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people on the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids."
This TED Video has become very popular recently and, in my opinion, speaks for itself:
Do you generally feel that you are a happy person or a cynical person?
Srikumar Rao, the speaker in this video, believes that all of us are hard-wired to be happy all of the time. Every moment. And that we are taught to be unhappy, to be constantly reaching for something new that will bring us happiness, that success is measured by the accumulation of WHATEVER as compared to our social peers.
Have you ever been so happy that you could sink to your knees in gratitude at the tremendous good fortune that has been bestowed upon you? That you become radiantly alive several times through out a day?
If your life isn't like that, he claims, then your life is sadly wasted.
Srikumar Rao commits to providing us all with strategies and tools to get there and start Plugging into your hard-wired happiness and living life to the fullest. Watch this short video lecture and see if you are on the right path to happiness:
Do you invest in the outcome, or do you invest in the process? Since actions are within our control, and outcomes are not - perhaps investing on the outcome is the same as focusing on failure. Live your life in a way that celebrates your success while leaving what is out of your locus of control behind. You will be infinitely more satisfied with life and the choices you make.
This hilarious TED talk highlights a key message to all who work in design. Simplicity sells. Whether you design furniture, websites, or sell on Etsy - limit the hoops your customers have to jump through, and you'll gain life-long supporters. Plus I can't resist a TED Talk that features parody songs!
"New York Times columnist David Pogue takes aim at technology’s worst interface-design offenders, and provides encouraging examples of products that get it right. To funny things up, he bursts into song:"
I think this is a TED Talk celebrating the fact that I am getting my new iPhone Today! I have been waiting a long time to upgrade, and it is finally time, Yeehaw! Good bye, really terrible cheap cellphone, hello Personal Electronic Organizer!
Here are a few of my favourite *simple* iPhone cases & sleeves...
A gorgeous show-stopping customizable wooden iPhone Sleeve from GreenHouseFX.Etsy.com
Susan Savage-Rumbaugh's work with bonobo apes, which can understand spoken language and learn tasks by watching, forces the audience to rethink how much of what a species can do is determined by biology -- and how much by cultural exposure.
The sexual, extremely social Bonobo apes are amongst the most empathetic and egalitarian species in the world. They use their sensuality for communication as well as conflict resolution. I'm actually not sure what species of primates featured in this photo, but I found it myself in one of over 600 National Geographic Magazines I had "inherited" at one point. An incredible photo, that toothy grin says it all.
This is one of my most favourite TED Talks that I have ever seen. Starting around 5:30 onwards literally causes my jaw to drop. How anyone could watch this video and deny evolutionary science astounds me. Why do people get so offended by the ability to admit that as a species, we are here through growth and change? An incredible story of sharing culture, tools, and language with another species:
When a TED Talk opens with "We need to give to others to be successful," I know that I have struck gold. Are all TED Talks amazing? Yes. Are they all incredibly inspiring and interesting to watch? No. But I sort through them all and pull the golden ones here for you. This one is incredible.
When Jamie Heywood's brother was diagnosed with ALS, he devoted his life to fighting the disease as well. The Heywood brothers built an ingenious website where people share and track data on their illnesses -- and they discovered that the collective data had enormous power to comfort, explain and predict.
Wouldn't it be great if we used the advanced technology we have to take care of ourselves and our loved ones, instead of just for making money?
If you or anyone who know has been prescribed medication to help with any long-term conditions, visit
I constantly find myself apologizing for myself. So sorry that I have these ideas that fly out of my mouth faster than I can contain them. So sorry that I feel the need to dance and move my body. So sorry that I'm intense, that I can look through your actions and see your intentions. So sorry that my intelligence and quick wit make you feel intimidated. So sorry that my hair is different, my clothes are different, my music is different. So sorry that I have an opinion on the topic, so sorry that my opinion differs from yours. So sorry that I feel the need to stand up for other people, so sorry that I stand up for what a believe in. So sorry that I educate, activate, engage, confront, defy, and create.
I am an emotional being. And I will cease to apologize for myself from now on.
If birds bother you, stay away from this TED Talk. That means you, Robyn. But honestly, even though this video is a bit of a departure from the inspiring and creatively astounding videos I normally choose, I think this video has an amazing message of the value of an inquisitive mind. As Joshua Klein states, we focus on the endangered animals around us, the ones who struggle to survive, and feel empathy. But what of the animals around us who are growing and adapting in the same manner as human beings. Yes, I am talking about Crows. Hacker and writer Joshua Klein is fascinated by crows. (Notice the gleam of intelligence in their little black eyes?) After a long amateur study of corvid behavior, he's come up with an elegant machine that may form a new bond between animal and human.
Get it? No? Well, then, I will explain. Randy Pausch is an amazing man. I've seen some of his speeches before, and they are always inspiring, jaw-dropping, and so get-up and go motivating (as opposed to spiritually motivating, I suppose), so I wanted to include a TED talk by Mr. Pausch today.
Mr. Pausch's TED talk is here, and it is an hour and seventeen minutes long. I strongly recommend watching the entire video, every word he has to say and every moment he shares is incredible, moving, and powerful.
But we don't all have an 1:17 to spend on that today, so I am deviating (GASP!) from the formulae to bring you the TED talk Coles Notes - We call it Oprah. If you are not a fan of hers, don't worry! This is Randy Pausch's moment to share "The Last Lecture" -as in, what would you say if you had to give the absolute last lecture of your life?
Please watch and leave your thoughts and comments below. Oprah jokes accepted only if they are funny:
Yep, I tear up at the end, every time. I feel like I could watch this video every morning.
While watching this TED talk, I worked on this: Did you work on anything you'd like to share?
The Second installment of the TED Tuesday Feature! To see the first TED Tuesday, Click Here!
All children have talents, and we squander them pretty ruthlessly. How proud are children of their creativity, how quick they are to show off their work without fear of judgment. What are we doing to them that by the time they reach adulthood, the majority of that creativity is flat and uninspired and the majority of adults are too anxious to share their true creative thoughts and ideas?
Most of us went through the Education System, and we all have an opinion on how it may have made us into the person we are now. As a teacher, I maintain the philosophy that children need more opportunities to be creative critical thinkers and have more questions asked of THEM, instead of being told what is what. I agree that creativity is as important as literacy - it is a vital skill to hold.
Here is an outstanding video about how schools are killing creativity and what we need to do about it. (19min21sec)
I've seen it in the classrooms everywhere. Art projects that have step by step instruction manuals and large expectations. Children who are told what to think instead of asked their for their own synthesis of information.
Picasso said that all children are born artists - the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up. Is creativity literally educated out of us?
I'm the kind of person that separates my creations into two sections: Table Crafts and Couch Crafts. Most of my creations pull from a little of column A and a little of column B. Thus, I started poking around the Internet for interesting things to watch during "Couch Craft" time and re-discovered my love of TED talks. Many of them are incredibly thought provoking and inspiring on many different topics, and because they are just speeches - it is easy to craft while you listen.
I have decided to feature a new TED talk every Tuesday in the hopes of sharing thoughts and ideas, inspiring others, and hopefully inciting some interesting discussion on my blog. I would love to have you chime in with your opinion on the topics I post.
So lean back, grab your knitting or stitching or oil pastels and join me for a TED talk, maybe it will get you thinking.
This week's topic is Creativity. Does the confidence to create come naturally to you? Or do you work to overcome those little voices that can sometimes bring us down?
Author of Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert gave this TED talk on Genius, on Nurturing Creativity, and on overcoming fear - the fear of failure. Can we work to eliminate those insecurities by removing our ego from the equation? Listen to one person's theory on how (19min32sec):
Why is it that artists and creative people everywhere are linked to a history of mental or emotional suffering? Will Artistry almost always lead to anguish? Have you brushed up against 'that thing' that makes you feel like you might just have a genius standing over your shoulder? Sometimes I feel like ideas coming knocking on my head, asking me to make them real.
While watching this TED talk, I worked on this: Did you work on anything you'd like to share?
