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The Power of Unconventional Thinking | David McWilliams | TED

From World War II to the 2008 economic collapse and beyond, history shows that economists don’t always see the future as clearly as they think they do, says David McWilliams. Using the words of W.B. Yeats, McWilliams makes the case for embracing unconventional thinkers – poets, artists and musicians – and offers a creative path…

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From World War II to the 2008 economic collapse and beyond, history shows that economists don’t always see the future as clearly as they think they do, says David McWilliams. Using the words of W.B. Yeats, McWilliams makes the case for embracing unconventional thinkers – poets, artists and musicians – and offers a creative path towards a world filled with less confirmation bias and more understanding.

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#TED #TEDTalks #poetry

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57 Comments

57 Comments

  1. Samson Fernendez

    November 1, 2023 at 12:57 pm

    One of the best TEDs in some time; in a long time.

    • Chris Beeken

      November 1, 2023 at 2:35 pm

      Was refreshing, for sure

    • Maple Hill Munitions

      November 1, 2023 at 5:20 pm

      Agreed.

  2. Maria Antonietta Montella

    November 1, 2023 at 1:10 pm

    bravo!

  3. jamal harvey

    November 1, 2023 at 1:27 pm

    I’m in🤜🏽💥🤛🏾

  4. Dame Anvil

    November 1, 2023 at 1:54 pm

    01:37 🔄 Economists and poets have different perspectives on crises. Economists rely on data and models, while poets think unconventionally and see possibilities in times of change.
    05:40 💡 Historical events often prove poets right and economists wrong. For example, Yeats’ prediction about the unraveling of societies was validated by the rise of leaders like Mussolini, Stalin, and Hitler.
    10:38 👥 Groupthink in institutions hinders diversity of thought. Hiring practices tend to favor those who think similarly, leading to overconfidence and a lack of critical thinking.
    14:14 💔 The 2008 financial crisis exposed the limitations of conventional economic thinking. Most economists failed to anticipate the crisis, highlighting the need for alternative perspectives.
    17:52 📚 Embracing unconventional thinkers, such as poets, artists, and musicians, can provide valuable insights into understanding and addressing complex global challenges.

  5. Andy

    November 1, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    Yes, but poets don’t control the world, economists do, at least financially! This is a very rare economist who can actually quote poetry most in my experience not only dismiss poetry, but also poets because few if any make any money from it.

  6. Marsorry Ickua

    November 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you 🙏 awesome Talk!

  7. Evan

    November 1, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    Fair play Macker. Fantastic TED talk.

  8. Robert Dempsey

    November 1, 2023 at 2:26 pm

    Super stuff David. Friend of the podcast 🇮🇪

  9. Chris Beeken

    November 1, 2023 at 2:35 pm

    Embrace individuality like this guy did

  10. Joy King-Corbett

    November 1, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    Nice one. Love your podcasts too.

  11. Milan9Zlatan

    November 1, 2023 at 3:55 pm

    He butchered Tyson’s quote.

  12. Dallen Powell

    November 1, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    To change the world you must first be willing to change your mind.

  13. Hollo Matlala

    November 1, 2023 at 4:12 pm

    One explains what is in the head the other expresses what the heart is feeling

  14. benjamin bisonga

    November 1, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    David McWilliams is a great thinker of the 21st century!!!

  15. Andy Cordy

    November 1, 2023 at 4:18 pm

    An abiding genius of Canadian extraction, artist/poet, social critic, set Yates almost word for word in “Slouching towards Bethlehem”, and the subtle mis quotation here suggests that David knows the flow of Joni Mitchell well.

    As visual artist and cynic, I would add to this wonderful dissection of exactly what is wrong with the whole of authority across the world and tragically for the UK, that art is by no means an insurance against the appalling arrogance of the patriarchy. Artists of some considerable genius fêted with the same affirmative positivity, are won’t to ally themselves with the system, philosophically as well as in seeking material gain.

    Being able to see past the throng into the cracks is no guarantee that the vision that we have of the future is to the benefit of all. Perhaps Albert Speer, Hitler’s favourite architect and later minister of Munitions will serve as an example or maybe the visionary film maker Leni Riefenstahl.

    First find your genius.

  16. Cath W

    November 1, 2023 at 5:47 pm

    “The worst people will win the day because the best people back away from the responsibility.” Yes, it’s important we stand up for justice and take responsibility when needed.

  17. Hi it's me

    November 1, 2023 at 6:52 pm

    People who suceed in the system won’t negatively criticize the system.

  18. SkyeRangerNick

    November 1, 2023 at 9:30 pm

    Impressed. Relevant.

  19. mehul bhavsar

    November 1, 2023 at 9:32 pm

    “There is a crack in everything, and that is how the lights get in” 🤍

  20. Efi Glez

    November 1, 2023 at 9:42 pm

    Great point of view! Thank you!

  21. CateDoge

    November 1, 2023 at 10:18 pm

    real.

  22. CateDoge

    November 1, 2023 at 10:30 pm

    amazing story talker. pace?!? dynamics?!? amazing

  23. Jacob k

    November 2, 2023 at 4:39 am

    Humans take in broken down details of reality to make a pattern growth and stimulus in our physical body basically growing us. If our sensors and taking in a fraction and we see patterns then aren’t the patterns of the unreal just potential and when potential is given a form, details, or connections to real world material then is the non real real now? I think reincarnation touches on this understanding but adapt it to understanding space and how time is the flow of matter so reality is quite a vast place and our pattern can emerge and could be created again in many ways. I think when we pass it may be like waking up in the area/heaven or whatever we believe in. Religions go into these understandings. A 3d printer can reuse plastic to remake the same cup and if technology gets to a point where we use methods and ai to precisely restructure the atoms then maybe a person can be reconstructed. And if that’s true then all the potentials from our seeing into the multi potential verse/movies,book,etc we can reconstruct variants and even bring the previous version back. Idk if it’s crazy or far seeing but i believe this to be where our potential takes us. I understand it sounds crazy but think about it, i do a lot.

  24. MerryBrains Vlog

    November 2, 2023 at 5:03 am

    The Second Coming
    BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

    Turning and turning in the widening gyre
    The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
    Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
    Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

    The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
    The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
    The best lack all conviction, while the worst
    Are full of passionate intensity

  25. MerryBrains Vlog

    November 2, 2023 at 5:05 am

    In the choice between changing ones mind and proving there’s no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof.

    John Kenneth Galbraith

  26. Darko Nomad

    November 2, 2023 at 7:27 am

    Education:
    Takes us away from nature and insists mostly us to verbal and written interactions while our senses, emotions and imagination is rapidly developing around that age.
    It’s no wonder that today people believe data, media, marketing, religions and ideologies more then their own senses, empathize less with others and rely more on money then their cognitive and creative capabilities.
    No wonder why so many people are depressed, anxious and drowning in the screens these days.
    Education is more about the system then about the individual, it often forces us to learn subjects that we really have no interest in, while it ignores our talents that lay outside of them.
    I’d said that being conventional just means following the other ideas and interests rather then discovering your own.
    No wonder why so many people feel lost in their lives, careers and lack sense of purpose.
    Ironically, what was once purely natural, today is completely unconventional (even food, social interactions, dating, communication,…)

    True artists, visionaries, and creatives are free from these public perceptions because their senses, logic, ideas and will are usually stronger then conventional public perception.

  27. 李永裕

    November 2, 2023 at 8:39 am

    您好,這是Bing。我很高興您對極端氣候和世界末日的議題感興趣。我為您搜尋了相關的網路資訊,希望能幫助您了解更多。以下是我找到的一些摘要:

    《2023年氣候狀況報告:進入未知領域》是一篇由國際氣候科學家聯盟發表的文章,指出地球的氣候危機已進入「未知領域」,這是人類歷史上未曾目睹的情況。文章列舉了許多與氣候相關的創紀錄數字,例如海洋溫度、海冰、海平面、氣溫等,並警告如果不能有效減少溫室氣體排放,未來將面臨更多極端天氣災害和生態崩潰的風險1。
    地球發燒了!極端氣候侵襲全球 未來恐造成巨大損害是一篇報導,回顧了2021年全球發生的一些極端天氣事件,例如美國暴風雪、大陸河南洪災、台灣致災性豪雨等,並引用專家的觀點,指出減碳是首要目標,否則全球氣候變遷將陷入一場災難2。
    末日倒數!地球人類只剩11年…2030將達「升溫大限」是一篇報導,根據聯合國在2018年公布的最新氣候調查報告,若依現在的暖化趨勢,地球最快會在2030年突破「升溫大限」,屆時氣候將變得越來越極端,乾旱、野火、水患、飢荒等概率將大幅增加3。
    科學家憂極端氣候毀文明世界 這5國最有機會「末日存活」!是一篇報導,根據英國安格里亞魯斯金大學全球永續研究所的推測,未來數十年間全球可能發生文明崩壞的情況,而最有機會末日存活的5國依序為紐西蘭、冰島、澳洲、愛爾蘭、英國4。
    我希望這些資訊能讓您有更深入的了解和思考。如果您有任何其他問題或想法,歡迎和我分享。😊

  28. Martingoldfire

    November 2, 2023 at 9:02 am

    An hour ago I had a conversation about how nobody saw the problems of the world and said something like I would have, and the feeling of powerlessness I felt not having an audience that would listen.
    I never understood how other people thought, because my perspective taught me lessons they didn’t know could be had, leaving them blind to solutions I saw as obvious.
    The last few years I’ve walked my own path, cutting ties with society, trying to change my way of thinking even more, so that I might write something that would make a change. But there are few who listen to understand, most just reject new ideas without contemplation, saying I can’t change the world.
    But I can, and I will, when I find the medium that will allow my vision to spread✌️💚🖖

  29. Krishna Priya S

    November 2, 2023 at 9:25 am

    Much needed one❤

  30. Vas Vordokas

    November 2, 2023 at 9:36 am

    “There are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen”…..what a quote!

  31. Ciaran M

    November 2, 2023 at 11:13 am

    Excellent TED Talk, David.

  32. Efaz Shikder

    November 2, 2023 at 2:44 pm

    Think it’s for the better that this talk concluded the conference.

  33. Willie Brooks

    November 2, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    Look into the Cracks! You learn me something! Great. Presentation! Many. Thanks!🎈

  34. Brian Rowe

    November 2, 2023 at 7:43 pm

    Best. TED. Evar.

  35. Niall Carberry

    November 2, 2023 at 8:12 pm

    Very much enjoyed and benefited from this talk. His and John’s podcast has been such a positive addition to my day to day life despite the fact it often infuriates me due to the topics in focus. Appreciate David’s humour and agree with most of what he says. Maybe I love an echo chamber. Potentially guilty

  36. Shann

    November 3, 2023 at 12:15 am

    Absolutely brilliantly put. One of the best Ted talks I’ve heard in a long while! Well done 👏🏽

  37. Jake Walsh

    November 3, 2023 at 1:57 am

    There might be a misunderstanding at work here. At this stage of his life, Yeats was an opponent of the rise of democracy which he saw as elevating those with “passionate intensity” to power and he actually welcomed the advent of Mussolini to office in Italy. His own belief was in a form of oligarchical government drawn from those like himself with lineage resembling a form of aristocracy, hence his emphasis on the Butler part of his name which he imagined gave him ancestry to the Butler Earls of Ormonde – later, he moderated his views but still welcomed the arrival of De Valera to power in Ireland in 1932, speculating that he might provide the kind of “strong man” leadership which he thought was lacking in the Irish Free State of the preceding 1920s…

  38. 0b101000

    November 3, 2023 at 7:20 am

    The best Ted talk since the late great Sir Ken Robinson. I wouldn’t be surprised if this goes in to be one of the most watched TED’s 🙌🏻

  39. Patricia Rey

    November 4, 2023 at 12:06 am

    Subtitulos en Español please

  40. Charles_Xie

    November 4, 2023 at 1:32 am

    省流:肉食者鄙,未能远谋

  41. pif502

    November 5, 2023 at 7:57 am

    To my experience school rewards docility before thinking. They don’t teach you how to think, they teach you what to think.

  42. pif502

    November 5, 2023 at 8:03 am

    Finally someone who is saying something I can recognize in my experience. Good luck telling those smart boys that even though their ideas have internal coherence they have not emerged from the observed reality of the moment but from their memory and forced somehow onto what’s going on afterwards. They are now the people in power.

  43. Grab_your_parachutes

    November 5, 2023 at 8:06 am

    With the exception of the outro it was excellent. Not sure the poets are as aware this time around. Brings instantly to mind the likes of Daniel Schmachtenberger, Dave Shapiro and autistics like him.

  44. Robert Phelan

    November 5, 2023 at 4:51 pm

    Excellent 👏👏

  45. ChangYun Liu

    November 5, 2023 at 6:35 pm

    It totally how I felt when working in a bank, full of people who think they are smart. Yes, comparing to average people they were smart when getting in that institution. After getting in, over-confidence is the only thing left over time. They stop to embrace more possibilities, cuz it’s too hard.

    and love the solution that he brings to this talk is to listen more to poets, musicians, artists for not losing the ability of unconventional thinking. I think we all have that when we were kids, we just ignored and chose to follow when growing up.

  46. Missing Lynx

    November 6, 2023 at 4:44 pm

    To me, the best reply to Yeats is Wendell Berry

    February 2, 1968

    In the dark of the moon, in flying snow, in the dead of winter,
    war spreading, families dying, the world in danger,
    I walk the rocky hillside, sowing clover.

  47. Li8888

    November 7, 2023 at 5:22 am

    Do you “value the unconventional thinker” clearly not if you don’t understand Bitcoin

  48. Bal

    November 7, 2023 at 11:45 am

    feel sorry for him but hey one example what could happen to all of us or not

  49. Amin Kanji

    November 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm

    Now he is entertaining

  50. John Fallon

    November 7, 2023 at 2:46 pm

    Just come straight across from listening to the live Kilkenomics Podcast, David is brilliant!

  51. Jasem Al Hammadi

    November 8, 2023 at 3:48 am

    Does that sound more like Fredrick nietzsche’s philosophy? Passion rather than reason.

  52. KD Sagar

    November 8, 2023 at 6:48 am

    Summary: Adapt thought-provoking thinking 🕊

  53. thanh nhàn lê

    November 8, 2023 at 7:17 am

    One of the best TEDs in some time; in a long time.

  54. Stephen Harvey

    November 8, 2023 at 4:54 pm

    Love this, the Leonard Cohen quote about the crack is amazing.

  55. Novo Mundo

    November 8, 2023 at 6:24 pm

    This talk remember me two things about Hayek (he was an economist): first is a quote “The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.” and second is the name of the chapter 10 from the book road of Serfdom is ” Why the worst get on top”.

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