Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk

[@Humptydumptytribe]

This is the single most spot-on TED Talk I have ever heard. I give it my highest rating. The only thing I would add to this flawless presentation is an amplification of what Naomi says at minute 18:40 about lifestyle choices: The ultimate blame for each and every one of the problems she lists lies with the absolute REFUSAL of the average consumer to take ANY personal responsibility for the mess this planet is in. If you want to put the Planet Eaters out of business, STOP BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS!

[@BenevolentXMachine]

Such an amazing talk. Still blows my mind how many people have no concept of what tar sands are.

[@tgrigsby7]

@3:04"But even more striking than the ferocious power emanating from that well, was the recklessness with which that power was unleashed, the carelessness, the lack of planning that characterized the operation from drilling to clean-up." "Recklessness", "carelessness", and "lack of planning" imply incompetence, and BP (and other oil companies) are not ignorant or incapable where proper practices and planning are concerned. They are well aware of the risks they take when they cut corners on drilling equipment and techniques to save money, refuse to invest in R&D into clean-up and spill mitigation, and file outdated and inappropriate contingency plans in order to be able to plead ignorance when disasters occur. I have an enormous respect for Ms. Klein, but let's not shade this in pastels. The state of the industry and the deplorable outcomes when spills happen are the result of cold calculations stemming from abject greed.

[@kharikyle3610]

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[@mariooliver901]

@Khari Kyle Instablaster ;)

[@kharikyle3610]

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[@kharikyle3610]

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[@mariooliver901]

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[@janinefarris2748]

Learning all the time everytime I hear this woman dog I'm so glad I just discovered her I plan on reading all her books thank you Miss Naomi got sent you a gift at last been intellect that puts her body on the line

[@janinefarris2748]

Please forgive me I did not mean to say the word dog this microphone seems to have a mind of its own I should have edited better sorry folks and the word in the former text I said the word got I meant to say the word god

[@khatack]

@Ultra4 There is about 1 minute of said sexism, don't let that one minute overshadow the rest of the speech which tried to convey a very important message.

[@sezzysays4351]

Wow - my mind is official blown! I felt really sad at the end of this speech. What are we doing to our planet? Clearly taking advantage of every single aspect, ravaging all our natural resources and as Naomi said, we are fast coming to the end off this - so why aren't we back off? Why are we not listening to our scientists and asking "what if they are Right?" - not, well how long do we have before we Have to do something???? The TarSands - devastating!! Sad.... idiotic and sad. I am ashamed.

[@SeduireCa]

Great TED talk! Thank you!

[@Kotesu]

As an Albertan that had previously supported the oil sands, this talk has changed my mind.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Addicted to risk, as long as the gamblers do not have to pay for it. This is a great point. We keep letting this happen because the calculus of victory goes to the gambler. Over time the loud, aggressive, "winners" rise to the top over time and change the whole society, removing any power or even information from everyone else. We have to find a way to remove these people from power … but that also means we need to replace the given system with something - no knows what yet.

[@briansmobile1]

I am SO completely sick of man bashing in 1. My college education. 2. Advertising media aimed at either gender. 3. Church talks. 4. Intellectual thought provoking talks. 5. In news broadcasts etc. Two wrongs don't make something right. They balance spin each other into mutual destruction. UNITY PEOPLE! UNITY!

[@foundtheone]

Wow. Reading the comments made me happy and then sad. Her points were brilliant. Sorry but men haven't been that great for the health of the planet. Small part of her talk. You can love men and still acknowledge this truth. Passionate person who wants us to wake up and ask the harder questions. Kudos...

[@reasonforlife214]

this TEDxWOMEN is soooo good !!! and also fair and not sexist at all !! but still we also need to make TEDxFAT,TEDxSHORT,TEDxGAY and TEDxBLACK !!!!

[@reafdaw01]

Very good talk. Sad that most people don't listen.

[@wonderpope]

Great video! Listen to what she actually talks about and don't just thumb down.

[@serNevh]

The main problem as I see it is that we don't have enough trust in others a power plant owner would reason like this "so what if I shut down my power plant, there are still other plants in other countries that still runs. Besides my plant doesnt emit that much "

[@Oblentehands]

Wonderful speech - I am glad Naomi Klein is in the world. Thanks for sharing!

[@Desert2GardenLV]

@Necropedophile90 That comment is not worthless. Its true. It has been for the past 3 years. They never properly edit in the photos so We have to just sit and listen to the audio without the video.

[@ehhhhhhhhhh]

I'm not into TEDtalks given by people without scientific credentials... I watch these videos to learn new stuff, not hear old talking points or to hear someone say "I hung out with scientists"

[@InMooseWeTrust]

Just because we've exhausted oil doesn't automatically mean shit will hit the fan. There are several other energy sources that are more abundant and efficient. For example, nuclear fusion and space-based microwave power plants.

[@jbowes2]

She is advocating a system that would minimize the growth potentials. While there are risks that out to be considered in regards to the environment, if excessive precautions are taken it will minimize global economic growth and condemn many of the world’s poor to continued deprivation.

[@WayAboveYou700]

LIFE = RISK It is so obvious that stating otherwise is like denying one lives... Thumbs up if you agree!

[@leufious]

I thought this talk could have been a bit more focused. A shame, because she has a ton of great concepts and material. Many of which are necessary and relevant for TED.

[@CraftyAndyArchives]

@papasitoman it just further proves that there should be no limit to what you can say about anything because good ideas usually prevail in the end.

[@SikhiArt]

Scientists are not very good at reaching out to people. Some are but most of them are involved in a lifestyle where they develop little people skills. That's why its better to have such people Klein gather data and speak for the scientists. I believe she did a good job.

[@RobT89]

Great talk. Well put.

[@GameDevMonkey]

@myhipsi My apologies, I wasn't trying to infer that was your point at all! I see risk taking behaviour as vital, its how we asses those risks that needs to be examined in some areas. I just get a bit proactive with facts when I start hearing anything linking biology with criminality. Sure men are more likely to take the risk of a criminal act, but the causes for them wanting to commit that act are social,cultural and economic rather than biological.

[@SuperMarivero]

I love Naomi! She's amazing!

[@martinmeads4839]

A WORD FROM THE PROPHETS There have been prophets who have warned us of this impending disaster, of course. One of the first was Thomas Malthus. He was born in Guildford in Surrey in the middle of the eighteenth century. His most important book, An Essay of the Principle of Population was published over two hundred years ago in 1798. In it, he argued that the human population would increase inexorably until it was halted by what he termed ‘misery and vice’. Today, for some reason, that prophecy seems to be largely ignored - or at any rate, disregarded. It is true that he did not foresee the so-called Green Revolution which greatly increased the amount of food that can be produced in any given area of arable land. And there may be other advances in our food producing skills that we ourselves still cannot foresee. But such advances only delay things. The fundamental truth that Malthus proclaimed remains the truth. There cannot be more people on this earth than can be fed. Many people would like to deny that this is so. They would like to believe in that oxymoron ‘sustainable growth. ‘Anyone who believes in indefinite growth in anything physical, on a physically finite planet,’ ‘is either mad - or an economist.’

[@nataliaturner4845]

I agree that in the context of a system of finite resources, "sustainable growth" is an oxymoron. The only way it would make sense is if we committed to making another planet habitable.

[@myhipsi]

@GameDevMonkey I think you missed my point. I didn't say that this male behaviour was negative. Sure, more male criminals is the unfortunate side effect of risky behaviour, but so is economic progress, scientific discovery, exploration, etc. I wasn't male bashing at all (in fact I'm male myself). Quite the opposite really, I think risk taking is extremely positive and valuable.

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

@KemaTheAtheist I DID in fact missed the "or in parrallel" part of your comment. My question is therefore moot. The facts are what they are, and I agree with you're interpretation. Cheers! :)

[@SalamiMommie]

What we really need is ted talk talking about "what can you do about it?"

[@DungeonsMcDragons]

I have not looked at a TedTalk with generally positive comments since the little kid farmer was on. Y'all are seriously so freaking picky.

[@mtw02]

I continue to enjoy Klein's insightful critiques, but I'm often disappointed with her lack of proposed solutions (see Shock Doctrine, alot of scathing critique, but severely short on proposals/alternatives). Not sure why she doesn't often more ideas to counter these problems.

[@synthektik]

she is making a very important point.

[@P1ranh4]

@grizzzlyjoe This report is 5 1/2 years old. I watched some German news maybe a year or two ago, where they already had this motor in Germany. They didn't get further than displaying a model of the motor in their entrance hall at that time. Have you any more convincing information?

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

@Vormav666 I can see your point. I think there is value in this particular message being repeated as often as possible, because it's the kind of thing that won't sink in without being around to the point of annoyance. As a result I like this talk. But TED IS supposed to be about ideas, not just social commentary. I remember when every talk was some new innovation or breakthrough. Science! Tons of Science! So I definitely see your point.

[@CuppaTeaV]

At first I thought that she was going to talk about loving the board game, Risk. I got my hopes up.

[@bentothetenthpower]

@bentothetenthpower Mind you, she is right about the tar sands... just not men.

[@janinefarris2748]

I don't believe that she's referring to almond just certain types

[@janinefarris2748]

Forgive me I meant to say the word all men not the word almond LOL sorry folks

[@Vitaminnn07]

@mrodub it's the best description for that video, i wish i could do 100 thumbs ups

[@thankqwerty]

I don't see anything that's really wrong with what her said. I think she's right in most cases. Don't understand what you guys are complainting about.

[@PanTrimtab]

Anybody notice that she's just retooling Pascal's Wager around minute 5?

[@CraftyAndyArchives]

@papasitoman it just further proves that there should be no limit to what you can say about anything.

[@WeAreChangePortugal]

Naomi Klein rocks!

[@centurion180ad]

I agree with her over all outrage, and her conclusion that corporation gangsters are disgusting & malevolent. I disagree with her analysis that such disasters are careless. They are not. These things happen deliberately. What corporations see as valuable & irreplaceable are profit & control. That rig was designed when management loses control, to self destruct so an immediate insurance payoff gains the entire contract’s payoff, and pesky interlopers DIE. This was a hit & robbery.

[@InMooseWeTrust]

@Kebabsoup No. I give it 30-40 years tops, and we have enough oil, nuclear, coal, and methane to last until then. Microwave power is easier than most people think. It takes the same solar panels that we're building cheaper than ever before, and you just shoot those satellites up to low orbit like the Hubble Space Telescope. It's extremely cheap with Russian rockets. The beamed microwaves would be collected on giant radio dishes, and we have plenty 1 km-wide radio dishes all over the globe.

[@P1ranh4]

@c1210270 I find it amazing how you can focus on the amazingly thin feminist message in this talk. She was talking about women for 35 seconds in her 20 minutes talk. You're not THAT insecure as a man that you can't take a tiny shot like this, are you? She was also just referring to the risk taking and not to the kind-heartedness of men and women. Your comment seems totally unrelated to the video.

[@myhipsi]

@Kebabsoup Sometimes progress requires big risks. Think about where we would be if we never set sail across the atlantic 500+ years ago, or if we hadn't gone to the moon or explored space. These are just a few examples of risk taking at it's highest level. As far as people taking risks for the whole population? Well, we're all in this boat together, and we all benefit from the risks of those that come before us.

[@bluefootedpig]

@oracle2mountain more likely they want to hear about solutions and what is being done, not just ranting. I could easily talk on how meat and dairy are linked to so many diseases that it should be banned, but unless I explain some new research to show that, or explain what I am doing to stop it, it is otherwise just a rant. Yeah, we use oil, we want to lower emission, but how? what alternatives? Or does she just think we should walk everywhere, and delivery goods without trucks? we need solutions

[@rajasmasala]

@OcularPolitics I think her point is that men are more willing to be reckless in making decisions. In my own personal experience, and within my family at least, her point isn't wrong.

[@oracle2mountain]

Interesting how people react to this: What are the "thumbs down" individuals scared of: The truth based upon facts?

[@myhipsi]

If we had to base all of our economic decisions on the precautionary principle, we'd all be stuck in the stone age. She is able to speak and maintain her lifestyle by selling her sh*tty books to people who can afford those books precisely because we (men) take the biggest economic/personal risks. Without risk, there is no reward. The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. Without men (according to her), women wouldn't have a pot to piss in, but at least the earth would be pristine.

[@OmegaWyrm]

The comments on this talk are absolutely horrifyingly ironic. The talk is a serious warning about how we can't see past our desires and egos when it comes to resource consumption, which she relates to a cultural zeitgeist of infinite possibilities as a traditionally male narrative. Commenters respond by calling her sexist. Bravo KZbin community, way to prove her damn point. Get over yourselves.

[@micheldvorsky]

I think Richard Feynman must have had people like Naomi Klein in mind when he took social scientists to task for their inability to really provide strong insights about reality. While a lot of social scientists do terrific work, Naomi ain't really helping our case all that much.

[@trees1]

Shocking information since 14:30 !

[@myhipsi]

@GameDevMonkey No need for apologies. It's a little harder to convey a point when you're limited to 485 chars. on youtube vs. in person! I think we can agree that the causes for criminal acts are social, cultural, and economic, but that males are much more likely to risk engaging in those criminal acts than females, hence the reason why the majority of the prison population are male.

[@GravDiga]

after 9 mins i think it gets good..... lol so i'm watch most of the rest of it now :P

[@WayAboveYou700]

@hollium No, my dear hollium, every aspect of life, which is existence which is change which is movement etc. IS the opposite of death, nonexistence, immobility, etc. Down deep at the core of the meaning of life there is RISK - risk to BE, not not to be... get it? Think about it. Peace :-)

[@GameDevMonkey]

Respond to this video...This is kinda my point though we've gotten side tracked to talking gender politics (of which my knowledge is admittedly limited) instead of risk cultures or environmental issues! Thats my problem with a number of TEDWomen lectures, the subject matter is just an excuse to come back to gender issues and politics. I'm not saying it's unimportant, but the subject matter of this video was also important and deserved to be dealt with on its own merits.

[@kaminarigaston]

What can we learn about DDT and bird's eggs? That people are driven into a frenzy by bullshit alarmist claims. The claim that DDT did that is HIGHLY contested and it shouldn't be taken as a fact, LET ALONE USE IT TO SUPPORT ANY OTHER CLAIM. I loved her book "No logo", but she's talking out her ass here.

[@P1ranh4]

@dootzky It's TEDxWomen

[@Guest655321]

She draws her own line and makes her own cost/benefit analysis. One needs look no further than her hair, suit and make-up. She tries to justify her own line that falls somewhere along the same spectrum as everyone elses by employing a host of informal fallacies. Well done, really.

[@GameDevMonkey]

@myhipsi Actually thats not true. Females currently out number males 44-56% in 3rd level eductaion with some institutions approaching 30-70%. It's a well identified fact at this point that females are out performing males at all levels of eduction and are significantly less likely to be removed or excluded from second level education than males.

[@pphaedrus]

@amercury7 I think you mean a "hole in our world." Well, isn't that exactly what it was? Like you, I wish the solutions could be so superficial as to require only legislation. Unfortunately, what is needed is not just legislation, but a change in the way all of us relate to our world. All change is scary, and a change of this magnitude is terrifying. It is so much more comforting and easier to ignore reality, and pretend that everything is fine.

[@Davelantor]

TEDWoman = Must make a Male Bashing comment, Regardless of how silly your relation may sound. Other than that, good talk. Perhaps there is some hope in TED after all.

[@Kirbynessness]

*watching the first half of the video* "Hm.. She seems to not really know what she's talking about when it comes to technology and scientific advancement but.. maybe she has a good point, I'll continue watchi-..." 9:13 D-D-D-DROP THE BOMB SHELL *exit video*

[@RealityCheck6969]

@authoradamwhittaker well I dont consider to know whats happening. But I heard that the other planets in our soler system have risen temperatures as well. And everyone knows that the biggest greenhous effect gas is water vapor. So think about it! Please.

[@pphaedrus]

@bentothetenthpower clearly you are not the only one who thinks that her comments were sexist. Several other viewers have expressed a similar opinion in their comments. But pause to consider whether what she said was true. For the important fact that you found it offensive does not automatically make her words false. It is well known that insurance companies charge higher rates for men than for women. Why do you think that is? Are they sacrificing their profits just to spite you?

[@HecKaTorN]

@rajasmasala Why did you decided i was referring specificly to her? Don't fast-judge me mate you have 0 idea of the major i'm in, the books i read & the information i get. All that i said is just personal opinion & i'm not trying to force any1 in it. Don't try to impose yours

[@vigilance71]

People don't want to hear what its going to take to fix things. One of most sane system I have seen is the venus project. Watch zeitgeist addendum or more recent zeitgeist moving forward. The last show aired all over the planet in 60 different languages. Elimination of profit would make people think more differently about our part in the operation of managing earth resources.

[@gulllars]

Comment to counter her appeal to ridicule at the picture of geo-engineering by sulfate particle release in the stratosphere: The concept is grounded in prooven physics, and the method and scale seeks to replicate the global cooling effect seen by massive volcano erruptions, which also release sulfates into the stratosphere. A similar effect can also be reached by detonating multiple nucelar weapons, called a nucelar winter, but that's not as managable, short term effect, and very polluting.

[@Chemicalogic]

@Pabelseth Some of us do. The smart ones, anyway.

[@KLAsHkA]

I don´t get it. Isn´t it supposed to be an educated public? I mean any average person can follow same logic without much effort on one`s one. Does some journalist have to make a 20 minute long talk on that? The "scientific" part of the video in the beginning is the 5th grade biology book...

[@P1ranh4]

@grizzzlyjoe This site is under construction for 6 months now. How is that supposed to inform me or convince me of the existence of a working model?

[@justgivemethetruth]

What happens when women are equal to men and have the same lack of inhibitions that men do? That really scares me.

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

@KemaTheAtheist Why not research both at the same time?

[@2plus2make4]

@myxomata If she can make informed observations and conclusions then why doesnt she? Instead we get a rather naive and simplistic discussion and TED presents it to us in place of the normally interesting and informative talks. Obviously there is no problem with journalists or any other people for that matter commenting on any issue - but I think TED should apply some filtering to avoid random rants by people who dont understand a topic.

[@Vitaminnn07]

at 09:31 i kinda stopped listening

[@P1ranh4]

@grizzzlyjoe I guess we're done.. I have more questions and of course an answer to your outburst, but I really don't want to annoy you, sorry. I leave it with an explanation of my frustration: I hate being deprived of knowledge, especially the one that is not well documented. I know you know more on the particular subject we discussed, but the links you provided me were total dead-ends. I have enough people to talk to, but unfortunately the "discussions" with them are very disappointing.

[@1966human]

Yes DEVELOP the electric battery and energy production - Governments - these technologies wont just happen with free enterprise, you will have to develop it yourselves not just wait for it to happen

[@dontblockmedk]

"Money/market" is ROOT of problems, how do we: 1. stop corruption caused by profit motive? 2. ensure everyone has minimum necessities? ANSWER 1. FREELY Share ALL resources & knowledge worldwide, NO more money/property 2. Use LATEST technology to create an ABUNDANCE of all our needs, NO more waste/theft 3. Automate/localize ALL production and distribution, NO more central control/wage slavery v=4Z9WVZddH9w

[@GameDevMonkey]

@myhipsi You dont think that male prison population doesn't have a lot to do with culture and education? 11.4%(state) 23.9%(fed) of the prison population have greater than second level education. 48.4% general population have the same level of education. 39.7%(state) and 26.5%(fed) of the prison population have less than second level compared to 18.5% of the GP. Crime drastically reduces with education. I'm not saying that risk taking isn't part of the male psyche, I'm....(cont'd)

[@GameDevMonkey]

Respond to this video...A number of questions spring to mind about bonobos, but I really don't know enough to have an informed debate. As for patriarchy in human societies, it depends on to what extent you want to take that assertion. In general males tend to dominate and up till recently held a more mobile and privileged and mobile position in society? Sure. That every human relationship or interaction is informed by a male domination and brutal assertion of power? No, not at all.

[@ArexNightSKULL]

I watched the whole video :o

[@P1ranh4]

@c1210270 Oh I'm sure we have contradicting views, that's what makes this interesting ;). I'm planning to come to China since I'm always amazed to see different cultures. Please answer my question why women are so powerful. Is it the abundance of men? If you don't do exactly as she says she just goes to the next guy? I also heard that Chinese women are attracted to money, more than the average woman in the world. Can you confirm that? What do you believe are the reasons for your observations?

[@GameDevMonkey]

@TheJuxtaprose I presumed this discussion was still informed by the videos assertions about BP. BP problem was caused by men no? Males don't have an over sized hypothalamus or pituitary gland. You could only arrive at that conclusion if you view a female anatomy as the optimal anatomy. They serve a function. Bonobo's, chimps and patriarchy! We're getting into territory that cant easily be dealt with in 500 characters! Some dispute as to whether Bonobo's are strictly matriarchal or peaceful

[@1966human]

All this damage from mining fossil fuels - and yet on we go bumbling with the same energy form - fossil fuels. It has happened before and will happen again - mark my words. Want to move forward? develop the electric battery.

[@ToddHowardWithAGun]

TEDtalks given by non-scientists are appallingly uninformed. When Klein started talking about DDT, I audibly groaned. Even the WHO admits that banning DDT was a mistake. If she knew anything about chemistry, she'd understand that concentration is everything.

[@rajasmasala]

@Ultra4 The supposed sexism is a humorous rhetorical device directed at the audience, and moreover, basically a stated fact. You must get really upset when someone mentions that women drive badly.

[@bentothetenthpower]

@Chemicalogic Only if daily isn't much.

[@centurion180ad]

She's got a body. She's got IT.

[@majinspy]

@eatingperson Why? I really don't get the whole anti-cue card or anti-teleprompter thing. Does a speech mean less because it was composed carefully on a computer vs. riffed off the cuff? Emotional speeches (They can't take our freedom!!!) sure but...I see nothing wrong with preparation and care.

[@SalamiMommie]

@Ultra4 Thanks for not finishing the video

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

Lot's of backlash for TEDwomen, and for good reason. So much sexism in several of the videos that came out of it. This talk doesn't deserve half the negative comments it's getting however. This talk wasn't sexist. This talk was right on. This talk did not require that the speaker be a scientist, because it was not a scientific point. It was a social comment. We need to stop with the bullshit meta-narrative. We need to deal with reality. We need to face the music and dance, as it were.

[@WayAboveYou700]

@Kebabsoup Klein's speech just sounds nice, there is nothing clever in it under the surface

[@myveryprosongs]

She describes Elon Musk 8:08

[@centurion180ad]

Oh, I forgot to mention. Fur Burger!

[@romeoneverdies]

who says that humans are the cause of global warming ? that is the debate not wheter there is global warming or not

[@kennegun]

Half the ppl that watched this completely missed the point of the presentation. People that make accusations of sexism here are very insecure towards educated women. Besides this presentation was about environmental pillaging regardless of how it was presented.

[@justgivemethetruth]

This tar sands screw up is the most idiotic thing I can imagine … this has got to stop now. What on Earth is wrong with Canada anyway ?

[@khatack]

She's trying to tell an important message, but the sexist attitude really diminishes the impact of her ideas. People like her should be more careful because most humans are not intelligent enough to see through the sexism.