TEDxABQ brings out the best of NM
UNM researcher, pet expert among 13 speakers at local event
If you’ve spent any time on social media or cruising the internet, you’ve likely come across a video of someone giving a TED Talk.
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Talks started in 1984 and have since been given in more than 100 languages around the world.
Later, “TEDx” talks were created to allow for similar community-organized events featuring local contributors.
“TEDx means it’s locally organized by local people,” said TEDxABQ volunteer Ellen Gallegos. “That’s why that little ‘x’ is a big deal for us.”
Saturday afternoon at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, TEDxABQ put on its ninth annual main event featuring 13 speakers with backgrounds ranging from science and medicine to education and agriculture.
What they all have in common is living and working right here in New Mexico.
Gallegos said more than 100 people applied to speak this year.
“The goal is to share interesting and unique ideas, mostly about Albuquerque and New Mexico,” Gallegos said. “‘Ideas worth spreading’ is our mantra.”
Among this year’s speakers were Arman Rashidi, a research assistant at University of New Mexico’s Center
for High Technology Materials, who spoke on the emerging technology of Li-Fi.
Li-Fi uses light to transmit wireless communications.
Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Nichol discussed how pets provide humans an opportunity to practice kindness — toward animals and toward one another.
And Kaatje Gotcha, who suffers from an extremely painful neurological condition, described how comedy has helped her cope with her disability.
“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me,” Gotcha said from her motorized wheelchair. “Because I’m an Albuquerque comedian.”
During breaks between speakers, musicians and dancers took the stage and highly produced videos featuring Albuquerque landscapes played.
Beth Brownell of Albuquerque said she has been in the audience at TEDxABQ for years.
“I come because it’s positive. It’s uplifting and also it’s all local people,” Brownell said. “I learn about different stuff that’s happening in Albuquerque that’s not bad news.”
The next TEDxABQ event is scheduled for November and will feature women and women’s issues.