TEDx 2014 is currently going on at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre, featuring guests like former Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, lululemon founder Chip Wilson, famous sexologist Jessica O'Reilly, and Victor Chan, a co-author with the Dalai Lama and a lifelong traveller who's made a career out of fascinating stories and experiences.
Breakfast Television's Riaz Meghji is hosting, and you can watch the whole event LIVE on TED's website, right here.
Below are some highlights from past Vancouver TED events:
VIDEO: Robin Esrock, on Travel (TEDx 2014)
I personally don't think there's much value in someone telling you why you have to travel somewhere, or travel at all. You should want to go somewhere, but when you want to go somewhere. You don't need to do it for the same reason as someone next to you, because then you won't enjoy it. I've followed people somewhere for the wrong reason and I've had others follow me somewhere for the wrong reason... the captor doesn't normally love that trip until months later, when hindsight takes hold.
Some people travel for two weeks, just to get out of the office. Some use resorts or hotels. Some use shacks and hostels. Some take trains. Some take planes. Some hike and many just bus. We all have different standards, which means we all have our own expectations.
But then again, if all you need is a 20-minute escape from whatever you're doing right now, the video below is worth it.
VIDEO: The Power of Student-Driven Learning by Shelley Wright
"Shelley Wright is a teacher/education blogger living in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Currently, she serves as the high school learning consultant for Prairie South Schools. Her passion in education is social justice, global education and helping students make the world a better place. Shelley is currently working on a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, with a focus on mobile technology & literacy in the developing world. She blogs at Wright's Room."
VIDEO: The Power of Seduction in our Everyday Lives by Chen Lizra
"With nearly a decade of experience in the animation industry, working on projects for MTV, TVA, Alliance Atlantis, Mainframe Entertainment and Radical Entertainment, Chen Lizra's intellect, imagination and creative thinking evolved her into a branding expert."
VIDEO: The Sociology of Gossip by Elaine Lui
"Lainey isn't looking to impress anyone, especially celebrities. The ETALK Reporter and scribe of the immensely popular celebrity gossip blog, LaineyGossip.com, does what she does for one reason -- to provide a gossip education to the Canadian public. The Toronto-born, self-proclaimed gossip maven got into the gossip game in a very roundabout way. What started as an email to two friends grew to a website with active followers from around the world. More than one million people now read LaineyGossip.com every month, making it a leading international celebrity news source. Elaine's years of experience in the media, celebrity entertainment and blogging space have helped her shape a fascinating TED talk about gossip and it's critical place within modern pop culture."
BONUS: Rick Steves at TEDx in Rainier, Washington, on Travel
Quotes from Steves:
"You know, I have spent a third of my adult life living out of a suitcase... It occurs to me that real travel, thoughtful travel, is well worth the money.
"We have the American Dream, that's a great thing. But other people have their own dream. Norwegians have Norwegian dream. Bulgarians have the Bulgarian dream.
"Travel wallops my ethnocentricity. And I'm very thankful for that, it's something to celebrate.
"In my travels, I have really been impressed with the amount of pride on this planet."