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Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor at TED

Fred Oliveira on March 18, 2008

This is not my typical post - be forewarned. It has little to do with entrepreneurship, innovation or technology. It is, though, about the “computer” in you - your brain. It’s Jill Bolte Taylor’s speech at this year’s TED, that was posted on their website a few days ago, that I just finished watching. Jill Taylor is a neuroscientist that experienced a stroke a few years ago and gets to tell the story.

Now, before the video itself. The way Dr. Jill Taylor describes her stroke experience motivated some people at TED’s website to comment as to how these experiences could easily be recalled by someone under the influence of substances, or through meditation. That’s not the point I’m trying to make, or the reason why the video moved me to post about it. It isn’t about “finding Nirvana” (you’ll see what I mean when you watch the video). I’ve just always been fascinated by the human brain and this is a tremendously insightful description of how we think and process the world around around us. Enjoy:

Our brain is a fascinating thing, and if you see past the way the stroke experience is recollected, it’s moving (and exciting, or frightening) to realize how complex we are. Ah, I so need to read Mind Wide Open (Steven Johnson’s book on “The neuroscience of every day lives”) again.


Comments on this post

Armando Alves

You should read “De Profundis, Valsa Lenta” from “our” Jose Cardoso Pires, which he wrote after his 1st stroke.

Dale Cruse

I just watched Dr. Bolte Taylor’s speech recently and was knocked out! Life changing.

Daniela Kozak

Watching Dr. Taylor was beyond inspiring and empowering, it was a validation of where I am trying to be. Thank you!

sally hammerman

I am sooooo grateful for this information & video. In 1979 I was attacked, my head (L. side) banged against our brick fireplace, and only rescued by my husband coming home unexpectedly - three days in a coma, partial paralysis of the entire R. side and more - but I was “born again” and would love to thank the person who’s responsible - no body understands that.

I’m an artist, a community nurse & a farmer AND ah-HAH!!! I’ve sent this to all my community nursing students but most importantly, I’ve sent it to my family who can now understand why I get so immersed in what I’m doing that I forget what else I was supposed to do next - or what they told me yesterday that I was supposed to do tomorrow. I’ve done some unforgivable forgetful things as a mother where perhaps they’ll find new meaning. Perhaps they’ll understand also, why I feel so connected to the growing elements that art, nursing, and farming offer us. And, most precious, perhaps they’ll find a way to join us. THANKS!!!

Will Consciousness ever be Natural?

[...] a watch if you want to explore the difference between I as the body, and Us as consciousness.. Webreakstuff » Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor at TED Louise __________________ Louise find yourself, find your purpose http://www.theemergingpath.com [...]

Ellen

I’ve been recommending a book by Jill Bolte Taylor called “My Stroke of Insight” to everyone I know. It’s an amazing story, both uplifting and powerful on three levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual, but the spiritual aspect alone makes this the best book I’ve read all year.

How often do you get to hear a neuroscientist describe having a stroke, nearly dying and finding Nirvana, and then making a miraculous recovery so that she’s back to teaching medical students!?!

I came away with a renewed sense of understanding, wonder and hopefulness about the capabilities of the human brain. I give “My Stroke of Insight” highest marks!

You can get the book for just $16.47 with free shipping from Amazon!

Cinda

Hi all,

Hah - Jill Bolte Taylor is for the computerist and the ANTI computerist. She will save us all from ourselves, and maybe save the world in the process.

Jill’s TED video is a MUST SEE. Her book MY STROKE OF INSIGHT is a MUST READ - if there’s only one book we read this year. Also, I jut saw the last of the Oprah Soul Series interview with Jill Taylor and it is well worth seeing too. We can all improve our lives if we can follow just a bit of what Dr Taylor is talking about. Good stuff!

Cinda

hanneke

Great story about Jill Taylor. It proves that the native peoples have always been right about this. I’m just surprised that noone believed them and now that Jill Taylor has experienced this phenomenon it is accepted. Is not it time we should listen more to native peoples and acknowledge and honour them for keeping their wisdoms?

Hanneke

Evans

The New York Times Sunday Newspaper on May 25 had a great two page article on Jill Bolte Taylor and her book, “MY STROKE OF INSIGHT”. Her book is a must read and this NY Times article - called “A Superhighway to bliss” is worth checking out too.

Gwendolyn

I read “My Stroke of Insight” in one sitting - I couldn’t put it down. I laughed. I cried. It was a fantastic book (I heard it’s a NYTimes Bestseller and I can see why!), but I also think it will be the start of a new, transformative Movement! No one wants to have a stroke as Jill Bolte Taylor did, but her experience can teach us all how to live better lives. Her TED.com speech was one of the most incredibly moving, stimulating, wonderful videos I’ve ever seen. Her Oprah Soul Series interviews were fascinating. They should make a movie of her life so everyone sees it. This is the Real Deal and gives me hope for humanity.

Jessica

MY STROKE OF INSIGHT was ranked #5 in all books sold on Amazon today and #1 in Memoirs above even Barbara Walters’ memoir. Babs had been promoting her book for months in advance and Dr. Taylor’s book was self-published.

Then Oprah recommended it. There’s the Power of Now, and then there’s the Power of Oprah!!

“My Stroke of Insight” is out in Hardcover now for less than the old paperback edition. Amazon has it for 40% off.

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