By Jonathan Rabb
A famous French novelist, so the story goes, was once asked whether he wrote by inspiration or simply by slogging his way through things. Without hesitation, he said, “Inspiration.” When the interviewer pressed — pointing out that the novelist was equally well known for spending long hours each day alone in a little shack, pen in hand, paper at the ready — the novelist answered, “Well, I write purely by inspiration. I’m just not willing to wait for it.”
This last Friday that sort of inspiration and impatience was on display at the Jepson Center. In Savannah’s latest iteration of the TED Talks, 16 locals and near-locals took on the daunting task of explaining innovation and creativity in 10 to 15 minute snippets throughout the day. Ten minutes to explore the craft of computer-generated sculpture; 14 to define the city as a living, breathing person; 11 to expose the human toll of the Gulf oil spill in photographs; another 15 to find the algorithms hidden deep within the parchment of ancient Chinese maps. And, just in case the day’s themes of Technology, Education and Design might become a little too taxing, the audience of 200 was even treated to an ode on idleness.
It’s a rare opportunity to get inside the head and heart of those who make the play of creativity the focus of their work, rarer still to see it on such a diverse level. But that is what TED has always stood for and why Savannah is so very lucky to have The Creative Coast and its remarkable staff committed to bringing TED here. (Read more…)
Published in the Savannah Morning News 5/19/11
