Let Curiosity Lead | Yara Shahidi | TED

Don't second-guess what "distracts" you, says actor-producer Yara Shahidi; that's your curiosity coming through. The star of hit shows like "black-ish" and "grown-ish" tells how she learned to spot clues to her own future — and how you can, too.

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[Kheetti]

Yara’s intelligence and maturity is mesmerising!!!😊

[WithintheBeyond]

I'm hypnotized by her choice of words!!

[tinamylove]

I’m a junior in high school. People look at me strangely when I say that I wish I could go to school forever. You put my thoughts into beautiful words ❤

[alexandermoody]

This really sums up the importance of nurturing children in a way that emphasises the qualities of imagination.

[essyqueen]

I was spellbound watching her speak. Had to watch it twice. What a phenomenal young lady. I can tell from her speech she’s an avid reader. Her family must be proud.

[MsWicked]

“…suppressing your own curiosity and realizing that made it so much easier to pick apart every potential decision, instead of taking action”. It is overwhelmingly affirming to hear this. Once I realized what I am most curious about at this point in time, and I let it guide me, I no longer faced the same inexplicable sense of needing to withhold myself to make a thoughtful choice on my future.

[nzeakograce]

Yara, you were absolutely precise in your delivery and your life held the gravity for more possibilities

[brightcoco]

Felt like you just entered my messy brain and decluttered my thoughts and organized them into a beautiful speech...This is exactly what I wanted to say/hear...Inspiring indeed!!

[sgarrita]

I am nearly 60 yo first gen American, upper middle class never married, white woman —-seemingly nothing in common… however I can say personally when I’ve allowed my curiousity to lead me, I have always benefitted. When I’ve let societal norms, pressures, and obligations carry me through, while I have learned and benefitted to some degree, I have often been left empty, crushed, and broken. If we societally let curiosity lead every individual, we would be a much healthier and happier society. I applaud you Yara Shahidi!!! May you lead and thrive!!!

[Lissa]

she blows my. mind she speaks so beautifully and eloquently it sounds like poetry every time she opens her mouth, I'm mesmerized I forget how young she is I continuously have to look up her age beauty brains and maturity, 😍😍

[latoyabrown]

"Who are you right now?" I'm adding that question to my social interactions.

[lauragill]

I've always had a wide variety of passions, struggled with this in college myself!! I'm an older white woman, but I am totally cheering for you and your generation ❤❤❤❤❤❤. My son, his partner, my nieces and nephews.... And myself! Keep asking questions and learning new stuff FOREVER!!

[dameanvil]

00:00 🌍 The speaker reflects on the expansive imagination of childhood and laments the narrowing focus in adulthood, emphasizing the need for imagination in the present world.
1:14 🧠 In today's world, imagination is crucial for envisioning possibilities and addressing challenges; curiosity is highlighted as a key tool for building new realities.
3:30 🎓 The speaker, a Harvard alum with a television show, faced a challenge blending academic and entertainment pursuits but emphasizes the universal struggle of juggling diverse interests.
4:21 🤷‍♂ Societal pressure often pushes individuals towards specialization, limiting exploration of multiple passions, and underestimating the value of curiosity.
6:04 🌐 Suppression of curiosity can lead to a false sense of certainty, hindering decision-making and personal growth; the speaker advocates for embracing curiosity.
8:37 🚀 Curiosity's results are described as "rupture, " challenging traditional norms, and emphasizing its potential to shape new possibilities and realities.
10:07 ✨ Historical examples show that leaders of social change often pursued their passions and curiosities outside their designated fields.
10:13 🌈 Curiosity's byproduct is possibility, and the speaker encourages recommitting to curiosity as a way to expand options and build new futures.

[fizzabaloch]

I really liked the way she has presented and talked about curiosity

[Kayyllaa_]

All of this has been on my mind recently and it's so refreshing to hear Yara (someone who inspires me) talking about just that!!

[GanieGhani]

Not me watching this on my lunch break at work making me cry. That was powerful and so well said. TY Yara! :)

[Ruth.Irabor]

Watched at X0.75 speed to catch it all. Her shoes matches with her shirt and its absolutely gorgeous

[chioma_nkamuo]

I love her speaking skill, it's fascinating.

[nellynakhero]

"Refuse to let your world get smaller, and let's build new futures together", mic-drop for Yara who still continues to inspire not just me but over 120K people worldwide.

[lovergal]

as a pre-med student cornell university with an intended career in medicine, i also have a very strong innate passion for entertainment — modeling, acting, screenwriting, film. 2 industries that are very demanding. i refuse to give up either part for the other. that’s like giving up half of me.