Fictions are life giving, hidden lies we tell ourselves to give life a narrative and purpose. The fictions we invent and live with to go on living our lives range from the tiniest personal convictions to the way societies talk about their pasts. But what happens when we confront and drag our fictions out of hiding? Krishna Thiagarajan is a Chinese Public Policy and Economic Analyst in training, and a third-year student in the Philosophy Department at Duke Kunshan University. Having spent a good 20 years as a human person, Krishna is fascinated and interested by the human experience. 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
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- 11:59Where is Heaven? | Thein Hlaing Oo | TEDxYouth@BrainworksSchoolThein Hlaing Oo, a 19-year-old Secondary 4 student, explores the profound role of faith in human lives. Having grown up in a devout family and experienced monkhood, he views religion not merely as a path to the afterlife but as a guide to finding peace, freedom, and meaning here on Earth. In his thought-provoking talk, Thein Hlaing Oo challenges traditional beliefs about heaven, redefining it as a way of life rather than a destination after death. Through personal stories and interactive activities, he reveals how religion can inspire true peace, freedom, and love—not as a transaction, but as a source of deep fulfillment in everyday life. Join him as he shares how his meditation journey transformed his perspective and invites us to embrace a new understanding of heaven and the role of faith in our lives. Thein Hlaing Oo is a 19-year-old Secondary 4 student at Brainworks International School, Thingangyun Campus. While not a sole believer in any religion, he is deeply interested in how faith shapes human lives. Having grown up in a devout family and experienced monkhood, he now explores religion as a guide to finding peace, freedom, and meaning—not just in the afterlife, but here on Earth. 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
- 10:00What It Means To Not Belong | Uta O | TEDxBIS Wuxi YouthUta O discusses her perception on sense of belonging to a nation as an international student who values different cultures. She reflects on her cultural background and the unique aspects which built up the mixture of her current identity. Moreover, she reminds her audience that their nationality does not define who they are, but it all depends on where they find themselves. Uta O discusses her perception on sense of belonging to a nation as an international student who values different cultures. She reflects on her cultural background and the unique aspects which built up the mixture of her current identity. Moreover, she reminds her audience that their nationality does not define who they are, but it all depends on where they find themselves. 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
