The human skills we need in an unpredictable world | Margaret Heffernan

The more we rely on technology to make us efficient, the fewer skills we have to confront the unexpected, says writer and entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan. She shares why we need less tech and more messy human skills -- imagination, humility, bravery -- to solve problems in business, government and life in an unpredictable age. "We are brave enough to invent things we've never seen before," she says. "We can make any future we choose."

[BrettWMcCoy]

Wow, watching this and knowing it came out in Fall 2019, mere months before the coronavirus pandemic hit... is kind of chilling

[fionafenner]

As a school teacher, I would add: The more time teachers are forced to enter, and stare at, assessments and standardised test results, the less time they have to know, connect with and help their students. The reliance on standardised tests and data is killing our education system and robbing our children of creativity. It’s sad, so sad …

[mallcha]

One of the best TED Talks I've watched so far <3

[mrvzhao]

So in short, admit that complex systems (humans, most of all) can't be meaningfully modelled and predicted for any and all purposes (yet), and therefore shouldn't be over simplified to mere numbers pushed around by data wonks. The fact that this seemingly mundane 'common sense' sounds 'risky' and 'radical' in today's increasingly data-driven, algorithmically optimised world is what makes this talk intriguing and powerful. I appreciate the speaker's effort to invite us to rethink the balance between 'efficiency' and 'robustness', the 'complicated' and the 'complex' - and maybe on a more human level, the balance between wealth and well being, results and purposes.

[Trauton]

Yes, this one of the best TED talks I have seen. Profoundly inspiring and insightful with deep implications on many important areas. Exquisitely delivered by the speaker. Thank you.

[BULLTRONHERO]

This Margaret woman is an excellent speaker! Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into this talk. I have much to think about in the days to come!

[iLetStudio]

I almost cried ... you were the best speakers I ever heard

[yuntoday]

You know, what really struck me is that the speaker does not even read the script but still is very fluent in what she tries to deliver. That will help the editors spend less time on making videos.

[AMX]

Uncertainty is most certain. People need to be able to react and act in uncerain times. Tech and tech efficiency have people at a certainty disadvantage and in that we lose our creative ability to efficiently react on the fly.

[DSas]

This came up right before COVID-19, good lessons here

[malaz]

it's so refreshing to see such a profound, insightful look at human skills in an age that tempts o eliminate them. she has said more than enough, and i hope more and more people see this truth, thank you !

[lsaf]

This is beautiful. What a gifted lecturer Mrs Heffernan is!

[anotherthez]

Her English... she sounds like a book, a very good one!

[LowcountryJoe]

"Anyone who tells you that they know the future, is just trying to own it, a spurious kind of manifest destiny."

This is a tremendous TED Talk with some excellent wisdom being imparted. But that whole deal about climate change: perhaps the quote she gives toward the tail-end of this talk needs to be heeded more by smart people like her as they listen to the policy advocates/doomsayers on the climate subject.

[divyamurugesan]

I truly admire her and her way of talking. 😍😍😍😍😍

[enso]

No coaching bullshit, but true life experience and humanistic values. Great speach.

[kevin-gyof]

"The more we let machines think for us,
the less we can think about ourselves" damn that's a strong word.

[aticosmos]

You can see this in all things in life, anything based on religion or culture which simplifies things, tends to push out the unique... not only at work places.

[noisesion]

Крайне информативно, актуально и действительно полезно. Есть над чем задуматься и пересмотреть.

[joroyce]

This is an amazing talk. Thought-provoking and inspiring.