Now, I want to start with a question: When was the last time you were called “childish”? For kids like me, being called childish can a frequent occurrence. Every time we make irrational demands, exhibit irresponsible behavior, or display other signs of being normal American citizens, we are called childish. Which really bothers me. After all, take a look at these events: Imperialism and colonization, world wars, George W. Bush. Ask yourself, who’s responsible? Adults.
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Now, what have kids done? Well, Anne Frank touched millions with her powerful account of Holocaust. Ruby Bridges helped to end segregation in the United States. And, most recently, Charlie Simpson helped to raise 120,000 pounds for Haiti, on his little bike. So as you can see evidenced by such examples, age has absolutely nothing to do with it. The the word “childish” addresses are seen so often in adults, that we should abolish this age-discriminatory word, when it comes criticizing behavior associated with irresponsibility and irrational thinking.
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(Applause)
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Thank you.
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Then again, who’s to say that types of irrational thinking aren’t exactly what the world needs? Maybe you’ve had grand plans before, but stopped yourself, thinking, “That’s impossible,” or “That costs too much,” or “That won’t benefit me.” For better or worse, we kids aren’t hampered as much when comes to thinking about reasons why not to do things. Kids be full of inspiring aspirations and hopeful thinking, like my wish that no one went hungry, or that everything were free, a of utopia. How many of you still dream like that, and believe in the possibilities? Sometimes a knowledge of history and the failures of Utopian ideals can be a burden, because you know that if everything were free, then the stocks would become depleted and scarce and lead to chaos. On the other hand, we kids still dream about perfection. And that’s a good thing, because in order to make anything a reality, you to dream about it first.
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In many ways, our audacity to imagine helps push the boundaries of possibility. For instance, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, my home state — yoohoo, Washington!
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(Applause)
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has a program called Kids Design Glass, and kids draw their own ideas for glass art. The resident artist said they got some of their best from the program, because kids don’t think about the limitations of hard it can be to blow glass into certain shapes, they just think of good ideas. Now, when you think of glass, you might think of colorful Chihuly designs, or maybe vases, but kids challenge glass artists to go beyond that, into the of brokenhearted snakes and bacon boys, who you can has meat vision.
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(Laughter)
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Now, our inherent wisdom doesn’t have to be insider’s knowledge. Kids already do a lot of learning from adults, and have a lot to share. I think that adults should start learning from kids. Now, I do most of my speaking in front of an education crowd — teachers and students, and like this analogy: It shouldn’t be a teacher at the head of class, telling students, “Do this, do that.” The students should teach their teachers. Learning between grown-ups and kids should be reciprocal. reality, unfortunately, is a little different, and it has a to do with trust, or a lack of it.
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Now, you don’t trust someone, you place restrictions on them, right? If I doubt my older sister’s ability to pay back the 10 percent interest I established on her loan, I’m going to withhold her ability to get more money me, until she pays it back.
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(Laughter)
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True story, by the way. Now, seem to have a prevalently restrictive attitude towards kids, from every “Don’t do that, don’t do this” in the handbook, to restrictions on school Internet use. As history points out, regimes become oppressive when they’re fearful about keeping control. And although adults may not be quite at the of totalitarian regimes, kids have no or very little say in making the rules, when really, the attitude should be reciprocal, meaning the adult population should learn and take into account the wishes of the younger population.
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Now, what’s even worse than restriction, is that adults often underestimate kids’ abilities. We love challenges, but when expectations are low, trust me, we will sink to them. My own had anything but low expectations for me and my sister. Okay, so they didn’t tell us to become doctors or lawyers or like that, but my dad did read to us about Aristotle pioneer germ-fighters, when lots of other kids were hearing “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.” Well, we heard that too, but “Pioneer Germ Fighters” totally rules.
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(Laughter)
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loved to write from the age of four, and when I was six, my mom bought me my own laptop equipped with Microsoft Word. Thank you, Bill Gates, and you, Ma. I wrote over 300 short stories on that little laptop, and I wanted to get published. Instead of just scoffing at this heresy that kid wanted to get published, or saying wait until you’re older, my parents were really supportive. Many publishers were not quite so encouraging. One large children’s publisher ironically said that they didn’t work with children. Children’s not working with children? I don’t know, you’re kind of alienating a large client there.
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(Laughter)
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publisher, Action Publishing, was willing to take that leap and me, and to listen to what I had to say. They published my first book, “Flying Fingers,” you see it here. And from there on, it’s gone to speaking at hundreds schools, keynoting to thousands of educators, and finally, today, speaking to you.
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I appreciate your attention today, because to show that you care, you listen. But there’s a problem with this rosy picture of kids being so much better than adults. Kids grow up and become adults like you.
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(Laughter)
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Or just like you? Really? The goal is not to turn kids your kind of adult, but rather, better adults than you have been, which may be a little challenging, considering your guys’ credentials.
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(Laughter)
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But the way progress happens, is because new generations and new eras grow and develop and become better than the ones. It’s the reason we’re not in the Dark anymore. No matter your position or place in life, it imperative to create opportunities for children, so that we can grow up to blow you away.
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(Laughter)
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Adults and fellow TEDsters, need to listen and learn from kids, and trust us and expect more us. You must lend an ear today, because we are the leaders of tomorrow, which means we’re going to take care of you when you’re old and senile. No, just kidding.
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(Laughter)
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No, really, we are going to be the next generation, the ones who bring this world forward. And in case you don’t think that this really has meaning you, remember that cloning is possible, and that involves going through childhood again, in which case you’ll want to be heard, just like my generation. Now, the world needs opportunities for new leaders and new ideas. Kids need opportunities to lead and succeed. Are you ready to make the match? Because the world’s problems shouldn’t be the human family’s heirloom.
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Thank you.
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(Applause)
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Thank you. Thank you.