In a world obsessed with productivity and perfection, we've forgotten how to simply live. This talk explores how small acts of creativity—like folding a paper crane—can spark global impact and restore a sense of human connection. Through the story of founding Origami For Good, I show how embracing curiosity over fear can build a life of purpose, meaning, and joy. It’s a call to become modern Renaissance people: creative, curious, and unafraid to start small. Vivian Liu is the co-founder of Origami For Good, a global nonprofit that spreads joy and awareness through the art of origami. With over 170 chapters in 50 countries, the organization has donated more than 820,000 origami pieces—handmade from recycled paper—to children’s hospitals, senior centers, and military facilities. Through campaigns focused on mental health, wildlife conservation, and cultural appreciation, Vivian empowers youth to turn small acts into meaningful global impact. Her work has been featured by TEDx, FOX News, Bold Journey Magazine, Channel Kindness Foundation, and the Houston Chronicle. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Embark on a delectable journey with Deepak Dravid in this captivating TEDx talk .A middle-class town boy turned lawyer, shares his inspiring journey of defying conventions and walking against the flow. He recounts the struggles and sacrifices he made to pursue his dreams, highlighting the importance of resilience and determination .The power of challenging societal norms and expectations .The value of perseverance in the face of adversity .The importance of staying true to one's passions and goals .Through his story, he encourages the audience to embrace their individuality and forge their own paths, even if it means going against the flow. Adv. Deepak Dravid is a renowned family lawyer from Patna, India, specializing in court marriage and divorce cases. He is one of the most highly-rated family advocates on Google and has received the Best Matrimonial Advocate and the Young Lawyer of the Year 2025 award, presented by actress Amrita Rao. As the founder of 'The Lawpedia' and 'Court Marriage Karo', he has helped countless couples navigate legal challenges in love marriages. His book 'Alfaaz', an Amazon bestseller, reflects his deep understanding of emotions and societal struggles. Born in West Champaran, Bihar, Deepak's journey has been shaped by resilience. His father, a BSF soldier, was martyred at the India-Pakistan border in 2016, and his mother, a government teacher, raised him with strong values. He pursued his LLB from Patna University after schooling in Assam and Bettiah. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Mary Adegbesan is the Founder and Executive Director of CTRL Code (ctrlcode.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to computer science education for underrepresented students worldwide. In her talk, she explores the growing disparities in technology education and the consequences of leaving entire communities behind in an increasingly digital world. She reflects on coding as more than just a technical skill, framing it as a tool for creativity, opportunity, and empowerment. Through personal stories and real-world examples, Mary highlights how access to technology education can transform lives and why it should be considered a right, not a privilege. She also shares the inspiration behind Coding Unplugged, a hands-on programming book she created to teach coding without internet access, and how meeting students where they are can help redefine what educational equity truly means. Through CTRL Code, Mary is working to ensure that every student, no matter their background, has the chance to learn, innovate, and shape the future. Mary Adegbesan is a dedicated advocate for equity in computer science education, committed to bridging the digital divide for under-served communities worldwide. Inspired by her passion for accessible STEM education, Mary founded CTRL Code, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers youth globally with the skills and confidence to thrive in a technology-driven world. Through CTRL Code, Mary has led numerous programming initiatives, offering hands-on workshops and digital resources that introduce youth to essential technological skills. In addition to her role as a programming instructor, Mary also self-published Coding Unplugged, an offline Python programming book designed to provide an accessible introduction to coding for youth without access to internet connectivity. Beyond her individual contributions, Mary's efforts have also extended to fostering impactful collaborations with organizations such as Google, Code.org, and global charities in regions including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, etc., empowering students without access to comprehensive educational curricula to unlock new opportunities in technology and develop the confidence to pursue careers in STEM. Ultimately, Mary is driven by the belief that every child, regardless of their background, deserves the tools to unlock their boundless potential and envision brighter futures in STEM! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We all have been in a position that feels uncertain. Sometimes that uncertainty becomes paralyzing, or we don’t approach a goal or new endeavor due to fear of the unknown. Tyrone Void is a former athlete, coach, and currently works in Leadership Development and as an author. Tyrone used his prior coaching/leadership to find his footing in life’s ultimate unknown, parenthood. With initial aspirations to become a professional athlete, Tyrone realized that wasn’t a reality in college. After bouncing through a couple careers, he found himself involved in the thing that absolutely changed his life, sports, more specifically, coaching. That career choice ended up setting the pace for his approach to fatherhood, and ultimately any endeavor that he faced moving forward. "Tyrone Void, Jr, is known as TJ by most people in his life. He is an author, writer, speaker, creative, and Leadership Trainer and advocate. Above that, however, he is a husband and a father.Born in South Carolina, but raised in Central Texas, he has always had a calling to serve. TJ has spent time as a coach, educator, and mentor for many years, but has started Void Ventures, LLC to lean deeper into his mission to amplify the voice of the unheard, and provide an avenue for people, both young and old, to write their own stories how they see fit.Whether it’s engaging in a thoughtful conversation about fatherhood via his Instagram (@thefatherhoodshow) or Void Ventures YouTube, delivering a keynote to young men and women, or penning on of his many published family friendly children’s book, TJ’s goal is to add value to anything he is a part of." This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

There is an unofficial motto among philosophers: never reject an idea that seems absurd solely because it seems absurd. Inversely, never accept a claim that seems obvious solely because it seems obvious. Historically, this two-fold maxim is responsible for some celebrated and even revolutionary feats of critical thinking, but in the classroom it can also give rise to the impression that philosophy never delivers right or wrong answers, just endless questioning that yields diverse perspectives on reality and truth. Although some philosophers have defended relativism or perspectivism, this is a misleading description of philosophy as a whole, and teachers who seek to communicate the full power and enjoyment of philosophical thinking must feel deeply discouraged when their students absorb this misconception. Closely examining a children’s riddle can help us prevent this mishap. It can help us demonstrate critical and creative thinking that does not amount to relativism or perspectivism. Dr. Paul Lewis is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at the University of the Incarnate Word, where he has taught for 23 years. He has no idea where the years go once they're gone, nor where they come from in the first place. In addition to teaching a wide range of philosophy courses, he continues to scheme and plot a resurgence of the liberal arts in higher education. Accordingly, Don Quixote is his favorite novel. His research interests began with a focus on the history and philosophy of science and technology, but he has also published work on conspiracy theories, unconscious perception, and eschatology. He played didjeridoo and trumpet in the psychedelic raga rock band called Pseudo Buddha. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Recent headlines predict that generative AI will revolutionize education by replacing human teachers with superior "artificial" pedagogues. But what if these AI teachers hurt their students? In this presentation, Dr. Kevin Salfen discusses a series of experiments conducted with several Large Language Models, where the task was to teach a specific passage of piano music. The findings confirm generative AI's current limitations, as of February 2025, in reading and analyzing sheet music. These limitations, coupled with an inability to integrate music analysis with the physical aspects of piano playing, frequently result in recommendations that would cause harm, underscoring the urgent need for developers of generative AI to establish standards for the prevention of injury. These standards could be adapted from principles as familiar as Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, envisioned for a science fiction world that, in the age of autonomous drone warfare, increasingly mirrors our reality. Kevin Salfen is a composer, scholar, filmmaker, and producer compelled by intersections of art, science, and social justice. His music has been performed in Asia, Europe, and throughout the U.S. He is a member of international performing ensemble Theatre Nohgaku, and two of his projects with that ensemble have received awards from the National Endowment for the Arts. His music has been released on Centaur and Broadway Bird Records. He curates and writes for the blog "Sound Trove." This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx