Make sure to watch the video all the way to the end, because… Hey! TEDxAmsterdam all over! A bit of our trailer, Claron McFadden singing, Nepco’s scientific theatre, Wim Hof on ice,  La Primavera singing at our TEDxWomen event, Peter van Lindonk’s chinese acrobats and a picture of the children at TEDxYouth in Amsterdam, as well as a splendid view of the Stadsschouwburg with the TEDx Logo.

Last but not least, we hear Jim Stolze talk about his experiences in organising TEDxAmsterdam.

(In the mean time, Jim has been asked to join the TEDx team as a TEDxAmbassador. We are proud…)

TEDxAmsterdam Thought Leaders is designed as a ‘deep dive’ into the worlds that TED loves – namely technology, entertainment and design. But since TED has expanded since it first established itself as ‘the ultimate brain spa’ back in the early 80s, we’ve added other current subjects to the mix too, such as culture, education and science. As we’ve been preparing for the event, we come into contact with a lot of dynamic thinkers and innovators from these worlds. Not all of them can appear on stage, some have spoken before, some will speak this year. In all, it’s a chance to get to know the latest thinking on these subjects.

This week’s video interview is with Claire Boonstra, who presented the augmented reality platform Layar at TEDxAmsterdam 2009. Layar announced last week that it has closed a series B funding round of €10 million, with Intel Capital as their newest investor. Layar CEO Raimo van der Klein tells more about the plans on the Layar website. We congratulate Claire and her team with this important step – and listen with interest to her thoughts on innovation in general.

What do you think consumers are really looking for, from the digital format?

I think it is important to realize that new media brings new formats. Unlike music, where digital created a new type of distribution. In content production, new media actually change the product. One of the things consumers want is social. Forms of social interaction. The other thing is that people are more and more able to sculpt their consumption to their liking. More intelligent profiling on the Web will provide you with those things that you are likely to appreciate. That intelligence in the network will also play a part.

Is this really about revolution rather than evolution?

No, I wouldn’t say that. I would say that the newspaper, as a carrier of pure news, has been driven into a corner. Because just news, on a day-to-day, second-to-second basis, can be distributed faster and cheaper by the Web. But I think there is room for a newspaper if it provides more depth and context. Magazines have an inspirational value that so far has been very hard to match on the Web. Although I do believe tablets are likely to provide a similar sort of inspiration, as magazines have done. Tablets bring something to life that wasn’t there with just the Web. Magazines will evolve and will find their way on tablet-like devices.

What changes do you foresee in the media-landscape in the coming year?

In the coming year, I would opt for mobile, or ‘portable consumption’ as you might call it. It’s going to continue to grow spectacularly. And I think that advertising within the realm of mobile and portable use will take off, finally. Because so far it has hardly grown, but I do think it’s about to happen.

Stay tuned this week for the last two in the Thought Leader series; interviews with Rogier van der Heide and Melle Damen.

Pop quiz: what’s the common denominator in the Sanoma publishers, the Club van 100 and TEDxAmsterdam equation? This ensemble could not have been better described than they were by Rijksmuseum director Wim Pijbes. Three seemingly very different groups all share some important characteristics: they like to stimulate new developments, bring together people from very diverse backgrounds and are good at uniting energy flows. On the 26th of October (coincidentally the new prime minister Rutte spoke about the new coalition that very day) we joined to take in Herman Wijffels’ future vision for Dutch society in the beautiful Rijksmuseum.

Connecting people

The connecting force behind this event was the charming Astrid Elburg who holds a seat on both the Club van 100 and TEDxAmsterdam advisory boards. Club van 100 wants to connect “old school” with younger pioneers. Evenings like tonight have been established to inspire people, just like TED events. In this open atmosphere everybody mingled, and old and new generations rubbed shoulders. One of our TEDxAmsterdam partners, Amsterdam Internet Exchange CEO Job Witteman, told me about his special feelings for this type of events: “I can tell the speakers are very driven. No one ever takes the stage for granted, people always put in their best effort. And somehow the relaxed yet inquisitive atmosphere between visitors helps keep it special. I think you feel more connected because you need to be invited instead of buying expensive tickets. You don’t know why you are there, but one thing is for sure: each and everyone in this extraordinary audience has an interesting story!”

Foreseeing the future

Herman Wijffels was pleased to see this talented crowd; people who do good for society. He discussed governors’ and politicians’ reflex to look at history for to solve problems. As we are dealing with several pronlonged crises, there is a historical tendency to look at the past for an (often false) sense of security. Left wing solutions are about restoring the welfare state and right wing parties who want to return to the pre globalized era – both are impossible options. Wijffels believes we need new solutions for never before seen problems. Where do we find these solutions? It’s the (wo)man in the mirror. We are responsible for what he calls the “social undercurrent.” It’s about more than just sustainability: it’s a desire to create high quality relations between human beings, and harmony between humans and nature. According to Wijffels, our Western social system is beyond repair and we need to learn from nature’s system theory that the time has come for something completely different. Three promising developments in this sense are:

- people taking ownership in large organizations, steering away from hierarchical pyramid thinking (the industrial age has brought us to here, but is outdated)

- creating another economical basic structure (in which we don’t overstress our finite natural resources but learn to produce and consume ‘cradle-to-cradle’)

- a new wave of policitians and other influencers in society (and luckily, the flexible Netherlands are playing a pioneering role in cultural creativity).

To succeed in this new world, we desperately need better global governance. The biggest forms of influence at this point of time are either multinationals or nation states (see this TEDtalk on how multinationals can save biodiversity).

TEDxAmsterdam news

After some well deserved coffee with macaroons, Jim Stolze presented some news and surprises. Surrounded by Amsterdam history and Dutch art, he equated online video to modern day society what varnish was to 17th century painters like Rembrandt. Although the beautiful Rijksmuseum represents the past, we still have a need for artists to be able to foresee, capture and spread ideas – an insight that struck Herman Wijffels during his time as museum director. “We like to think our speakers from this year’s event will have their own exhibition in this museum in 2110, as they have revolutionary thoughts.”

Amongst others, Alef Arendsen (on sustainable, electric mobility), Bart Koolen (on listening with sight), Anita Goel (on personalized diagnosis) and Peter van Lindonk (on ringmastering the World Circus) were announced as speakers (you can check out the updated program here).

Jim also told the audience a bit more about why the lights went out on the Leidseplein earlier this month. It has something to do with 3D projections on the outside of the City Theater, because TED is about ideas worth spreading beyond the theater walls. Also, more than 40 simulcast locations are ready to screen the livestream in high quality. And the director? That’s Marnix Kaart, well-known and respected for his cinematographic qualities in live productions such as the Uitmarkt, Popstars and Zomergasten.

In 2009, TEDxAmsterdam visitors had insect bonbons as a treat… Well, this year we will not only offer sustainable food, there is sustainable ‘crockery’ to eat it from, too. Let me make a safe bet that the speakers’ ideas will inedeed endure another 100 years.

A breakthrough is an idea that is so powerful, it blows all obstacles aside. In this case the concept is so strong, it seems it will take flight on its own. TEDxAmsterdam is such a concept, it unleashes a creative primal force in people. The Netherlands urgently needs TED and dozens of people are keen to make this happen. In doing so it releases a lot of vigor and effort, which is just fantastic. This is why as a member of the advisory board it is my pleasure to give it my all for TEDx Amsterdam.

The shower
I see TED as a platform that enables people to inspire other people, in person and through TED.com. Personally I get inspiration from silence. Every day you are exposed to so many stimuli, there is not enough time to process it all. That is why the first thing I do in the morning is turn of the radio, which my wife had switched on. I am more inspired in the shower when the radio is off, and I can organize the impressions in my mind. Only then can you transform inspiration into action. Try to find an hour a month to process all the inspiration you encounter. We keep suggesting movies or books to each other, but it is more important to transform these forms of inspiration into action. This action will enable a breakthrough.

Tip: a ton of inspiration is great, but don’t forget to turn it into action!

Credits
Interview by Tessa Stolze
Translation by Ferhaan Kajee
Photography by Ivo van der Bent

TED is a circle of inspiration and genuine energy for me. It is a micro-bomb of energy and inspiration, a place where you can learn a lot in a short amount of time and that you can endlessly relish. The subtitle ‘Ideas worth spreading’ is most appealing to me, it is all about the ideas. We live in an era, where ideas can thrive. And that is great, because ideas only have value if they are shared. I’m inspired by the way TEDxAmsterdam shares intellectual capital. That is the reason I happily joined the advisory board of TEDxAmsterdam. I entered a circle that has always fascinated me and it is an ideal platform to get in touch with people who find inspiration through sharing.

Another source of inspiration for me, is waking up early. It reminds me of puberty, when I had a newspaper route. Starting the day by getting up early and not getting caught up by the day, gives me a sense of much strength, Focus and perseverance. I get up at six am, do my yoga, sometimes take a run and then I am ready for the rest of the day. Getting up early is a universal activity, it can be done everywhere. In the city, in the country, alone or with many, it is an autonomous act. It is a moment for myself, I am in my own world. I do not set my alarm anymore, I seize the day. These are the optimal circumstances for inspiration.

Tip: Let’s try it, do not be afraid to make mistakes

I seek out people and platforms that energize me, and TEDxAmsterdam is such a place. Getting big thinkers of our society together, is purely about bringing together creative energy from creative minds. Seeing what TED has achieved since 1984, inspires me. It’s in the world’s interest to compile ideas that originate from everywhere and TED is doing exactly that. Initially it is all about the ideas and subsequently people get involved and that’s where the beauty lies. Now boundaries can be replaced, resulting in a breakthrough .

Passionate, creative and brave people inspire me. People who have the strength to get their hands dirty while having the guts to dream. I want to call on people to be more courageous, to be more brave, because only then can you achieve a breakthrough. Befriend your fears, do not let them lead you. Talk to people with different cultural backgrounds and agendas and leave your own opinion at the doorstep. Only then will you be challenged to review your own bias. Stick your neck out, listen to others and hear them. The energy is in you, go out and disperse it and create!

TED wishlist
I want to challenge President Barack Obama to talk at TED about leadership and identity. He would be able to convey it in a way, that it would appeal to everyone in the world.

Tip: Be amongst people who think differently

Credits
Interview by Tessa Stolze
Translation by Ferhaan Kajee
Photography by Ivo van der Bent

For TEDxAmsterdam, Woldhek shares his breakthrough in a video interview.

The world has found itself in crisis, but we do not know the extent of it. The financial and ensuing economic crisis is very much alive in many of us, but we are also in the midst of a climate crisis. I view this crisis as a crisis of values. Our values have crumbled away in the past decades, people need new views and new bodies of thought. I see TED as a combined force of ideals and ideas.

This “TED box” offers an outlook on a new paradigm, TED people do not have the desire to score at all costs. TED-people want to tell a great story and they want their story to touch others, make them think and make them act. This gives me a good feeling, because these are people who are made up from a completely different mold.

My favourite TEDTalk is by Barry Schwartz. He makes a passionate call for “practical wisdom” as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. Schwartz tells a telling tale of a father whose eleven year-old son has been taken away from him, because he accidentally gave his son a lemonade during a baseball game that contained a small percentage of alcohol. I found the image of powerlessness and the failure of the system, very telling. He shows us that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire such that they make us do things collectively that non of us want individually. Barry demonstrates practical everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world. An excellent example of a new body of thought that is available in the TED box.

Tip: (Re)read philosophy books on ancient arts of living

Credits
Interview by Tessa Stolze
Translation by Ferhaan Kajee
Photography by Ivo van der Bent

Prof. Dr. Robbert Dijkgraaf from toscani on Vimeo.

Dijkgraaf graduated under Nobel prize winner Gerard ‘t Hooft. In 2003 he received the prestigious Spinoza-award for his work in the field of string theory (the theory that connects Einsteins theory of relativity with quantum mechanics). Dijkgraaf often promotes science in popular culture. Dijkgraaf is a columnist for Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad and student weekly Folia. Since May 19 2008 Dijkgraaf is the president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.