Speaker picks is an ongoing series where past TEDxMH speakers share what they’re up to, wax poetic, and divulge their TED Talk of choice with the community. This week: Michael Huemer.
What (or who) has been inspiring you lately?
I don’t spend a lot of time feeling “inspired,” so I don’t have an interesting answer to this one (the correct answer would be “nothing.”)
<Laughs> Okay, what are three words you’d use to describe Colorado?
I don’t think three words are a good way to describe something. So I’ll just say that my impression, ever since arriving in Colorado in 1998, is one of a clean state full of healthy, happy, peaceful people surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
What have you been working on lately?
I’ve been working on political philosophy—my latest book, The Problem of Political Authority, just came out!
What are your big goals in 2013?
My goal in 2013 is to promote the book I just mentioned! And to finish writing all the papers and giving all the lectures that I’ve promised to write and give. Now, you might have been expecting some bigger, more idealistic goal. But at least my goals have this virtue: they typically are actually achieved, and I know when they are.
What’s your favorite TED talk?
One of my favorite TEDx talks is my own because it has me in it. Another one is Hans Rosling’s talk, Stats that Reshape your Worldview. Its value should be self-explanatory. It presents very important information, which is not generally known (and might conflict with the audience’s previous beliefs), and does it in a very easy to understand way. The video makes the information very easy to, well, visualize.
“You’ve never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called “developing world.”
Did you miss Michael’s talk at TEDxMileHighSalon? Find it here.
Want to learn more about what Michael is up to? Check out his page here.
