Doris Kearns Goodwin on TED

If you haven’t heard of the Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) conference, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Here’s the idea: The speaker has 18 minutes to share the best of their field that they can offer. The talks are recorded and uploading to their website and anyone can watch them for free. It’s really brilliant. It’s like going to a world-class conference for free.

The 2009 was just hosted in Long Beach, CA this month and the biggest name this year was Bill Gates. I watched his talk a couple weeks ago and he spoke on malaria and education, if I remember correctly. In addition to this year speakers, you can access videos from any previous year.

I just discovered that Doris Kearns Goodwin spoke last year. She wrote a book on Lincoln that I recently read in my book club. Her book is a long read, but very worth it. This was really the first book I’ve read on Lincoln and now I understand the fascination, respect, and significance of his leadership for our country. I was thrilled to learn she was at TED and I couldn’t wait to hear her speak. I wasn’t disappointed.

This video is Goodwin speaking about two of her presidential books, one being the Lincoln book and the other on Lyndon Johnson. She contrasts the difference between the two and how one (Lincoln) finds great success due to his ability to engage “work, love, and play”, and how the other (Johnson) is so captured by work, his post-presidential life crumbles in sadness, loss of direction, and weakness. Lincoln’s ability to combine his passion for work, humor, family, and theater gave him a life-giving strength, will, and perseverance that changed our country and even the world forever. Hope you have a chance to watch it…it’s 18 minutes well used.

An atheist who believes

This is one of the more fascinating articles I've read in some time. The title alone is enough to perk new interest--"As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God."

The author's story is a great example of when actions speak louder than words. Not that words don't have their equally valuable place, but this is a unique example of an opponent of God who is honest enough to let his own "beliefs" take a back seat and objectively assess the impact of missionaries in Africa. Try this quote for starters, and then read the whole article here:

"Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good."

I think the author may have some confusion on his self-label, as he seems more agnostic than true atheist. Who knows from this article what he actually believes. But nevertheless, a great read and a great testimony to the difference that Christians have made in Africa and I also believe, around the world.

To give credit, my good friend Brad Fulton sent me this link. He's currently a doctoral student in sociology at Duke. Good stuff, Brad!