In his TEDxAmsterdam talk in 2009, Dutch politician Frans Timmermans summoned the public to face its fears, and look the metaphorical beast in the eye. Timmermans was the Minister for European Affairs during Balkenende IV and devoted tremendous efforts to investigating the potential of global and continental governance. His talk taught us about the Janus face of fear. Fear as a means to unleash society’s force and creativity, but also fear as a political commodity evoking societal paralysis. Barbara Putman Cramer caught up with him and asked about his present state of mind.
Since November 2009, a good deal has happened in the Netherlands. Would Frans Timmermans inspire us with the same call to action this year, if he were to give a talk? What events changed his ideas about Jack Sparrow, and what happens after his “hello beastie”?
“No, we’re not there yet,” is what first springs to Timmermans’ mind when asking him whether the Dutch have managed to act counterintuitively to the collective sense of fear. “On the contrary, we have even increased our intuitive reactions. This negative fear stimulates us to lock the doors, and remain indoors.”
In his 2009 talk, it seemed as if Timmermans divided the responsibility to look the beast in the eye between society and politicians. On the political side, he called for accountable continental and global governance. On the societal agenda, he asked the people to responsibly seek confrontation with their fears. This time, however, he says: “You cannot distinguish between society and politics, because politics follow – they don’t lead. Politics can only lead if society accepts leadership.” So, it is a joint venture after all.
Speaking not only about societal fear, what is your personal fear?
Timmermans uses his Facebook page to actively follow and contribute to the Dutch and global public debate. “I consider it a civil duty to take position, and hold position. This cannot be outsourced to politics. I know hate mail hurts me. I’m not a politician who can easily dismiss that. Intuitively, I would resign from the debate – accepting that people will disagree.”
What happens after Jack Sparrow has looked the beastie in the eye?
“He becomes a stronger man, and conquers the beastie. But what we should accept, is that the beastie changes us. Humanity changes all the time, but we have difficulty accepting this. Our biggest fear is to become someone else. That is what paralyzes us.” Timmermans transfers this metaphor to his view on the Netherlands. If he were to give a talk at TEDxAmsterdam 2010, he would emphasize that “it is unacceptable to wash your hands as society. We can only shape our own society if we all take responsibility.”
And how could TED contribute to this change?
“TED has the capacity to reach a new audience – a younger audience. It has to lead to more than people watching talks behind their screens – it should inform people, and get them to move. I have experienced this with TEDxEutropolis, it had a true physical impact on the area, by dominating the news and daily discussions.”
What could the Dutch Parliament learn from TED?
“Politicians who are able to make their point within 18 minutes, without looking at their notes, or chasing away their public – would really make a difference. Politics does not communicate the way people want to be addressed.”
Besides Timmermans’ interesting thoughts on how fear takes over society, and a recollection of his own fears in the political arena, he considered his TED talk a ground-breaking experience. “I was mortified. Scared to bits. I sort of had a speech I wanted to deliver, and I had 18 minutes hanging over me. Also, I didn’t want to abuse the time, and it took a lot of courage.
“Yes, it was my small moment of looking the beastie in the eye!”
TEDxAmsterdam: Frans Timmermans from TEDxAmsterdam on Vimeo.
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