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Complacency : ​ the state of revolution today | Beau ROWLAND & Olaf GOLSZTAJN | TEDxEEBIV Youth

The talk explores how modern revolutions may not be violent uprisings but shifts in mindset and awareness. Beau, Olaf, and others argue that true revolution stems from widespread discontent—historically seen in events like the American, French, and Russian revolutions. Today, however, we face a different challenge: complacency. With access to comforts and constant distractions—social media, streaming, consumerism—people become detached from pressing issues like inequality, healthcare, and climate change. The speakers highlight that this "digital bread and circuses" keeps society passive. They encourage listeners to question the sources and purposes of these distractions, and suggest that real revolution today means challenging complacency, staying aware, and focusing on long-term change rather than short-term comfort. Where is the spirit of revolution in our modern world? We are all inspired by stories of ancient revolutions which, powered by discontent, ravaged previous norms, paving a way for evolution. But where are they now? Has a fundamental change in the world's culture due to new technologies led to a loss of this brave characteristic? Olaf and Beau argue that modern distractions like social media fuel complacency and disregard for current problems: the antagonists of revolution. They call for a revolution of thought, beginning with questioning norms, debating priorities and seeking meaningful change. In their opinion, this is the way to broaden our horizons, as the new generation.Where is the spirit of revolution in our modern world? We are all inspired by stories of ancient revolutions which, powered by discontent, ravaged previous norms, paving a way for evolution. But where are they now? Has a fundamental change in the world's culture due to new technologies led to a loss of this brave characteristic? Olaf and Beau argue that modern distractions like social media fuel complacency and disregard for current problems: the antagonists of revolution. They call for a revolution of thought, beginning with questioning norms, debating priorities and seeking meaningful change. In their opinion, this is the way to broaden our horizons, as the new generation. 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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