We recently talked with one of this year’s TEDxDetroit speakers, Anthony DeBenedet, M.D. at the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Internal Medicine (phew). Not only does he have a long, impressive title, but he also has some super positive ideas to share at this year’s conference. Check them out below.   What’s your experience with TED? I’ve been listening to TED talks for years, but I’ve only attended one conference — the inaugural TEDxDetroit 2009. I had a table at TEDxLabs that year, promoting clean water in the developing world through a non-profit I helped get off the ground. TEDxDetroit exceeded all of my expectations and was an amazing event. Ironically, my talk this year doesn’t have anything to do with clean water, but I’m happy to report the non-profit is still going strong.      Can you give us a sneak peek at your positive idea that you will share at the event? My presentation is entitled “Playing for Our Future.” I’ve really come to believe that play is perhaps the most essential element for a happy and meaningful life. I’ll touch a little on what play looks like right now (and that’s not an encouraging picture) and then transition to what is quite possibly the most important kind of play in which we can engage our children. (This will have a shock factor for the audience - unless they know me or have heard me speak before). For many of us, our greatest legacy and potential impact stares us in the face each and every night we walk through the door and in every classroom across the country. Overall, we must rethink a lot of what we do when it comes to raising kids if we truly want to get serious about our future.        What do you love most about the city of the Detroit?  Simply put, I love our grit and the believers who know that Detroit’s best day is still to come.  I’ve lived here all my life (with a few small exceptions), and I can honestly say that I would put the character, work ethic, intelligence and heart of the people of Detroit up against any other city in the world.    In your opinion, what do you think is in store for the city of Detroit?  Although the road has not been easy, Detroit has a very bright future. With so many brilliant economic development angles, I think our city is positioning itself for success. In addition to economic development, I think that, if we prioritize the empowerment of families (I also touch on this concept in my talk), the possibilities for Detroit are endless. What does it mean to empower families? Think parks. Think playgrounds. Think festivals. And think parents playing with their kids again.        How do you think TEDxDetroit will impact the city of Detroit and contribute to the overall goals of TED?  I think TEDxDetroit 2011 will do for Detroit what TED conferences have always done - stimulate, motivate and energize. An indescribable synergy happens when you bring lots of passionate people together. Networks expand. New ways of thinking emerge, and action leaps are taken. I expect nothing less at TEDxDetroit on September 28!      To hear Anthony share more about his positive ideas for family and play, as well as dozens of other fascinating speakers and artists, don’t miss this year’s TEDxDetroit conference at the Max M. Fisher Music Center on September 28. Apply for tickets today! 
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We recently talked with one of this year’s TEDxDetroit speakers, Anthony DeBenedet, M.D. at the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Internal Medicine (phew). Not only does he have a long, impressive title, but he also has some super positive ideas to share at this year’s conference. Check them out below.

 

What’s your experience with TED?

I’ve been listening to TED talks for years, but I’ve only attended one conference — the inaugural TEDxDetroit 2009. I had a table at TEDxLabs that year, promoting clean water in the developing world through a non-profit I helped get off the ground. TEDxDetroit exceeded all of my expectations and was an amazing event. Ironically, my talk this year doesn’t have anything to do with clean water, but I’m happy to report the non-profit is still going strong.     


Can you give us a sneak peek at your positive idea that you will share at the event?

My presentation is entitled “Playing for Our Future.” I’ve really come to believe that play is perhaps the most essential element for a happy and meaningful life. I’ll touch a little on what play looks like right now (and that’s not an encouraging picture) and then transition to what is quite possibly the most important kind of play in which we can engage our children. (This will have a shock factor for the audience - unless they know me or have heard me speak before). For many of us, our greatest legacy and potential impact stares us in the face each and every night we walk through the door and in every classroom across the country. Overall, we must rethink a lot of what we do when it comes to raising kids if we truly want to get serious about our future.     

 

What do you love most about the city of the Detroit?

 Simply put, I love our grit and the believers who know that Detroit’s best day is still to come.  I’ve lived here all my life (with a few small exceptions), and I can honestly say that I would put the character, work ethic, intelligence and heart of the people of Detroit up against any other city in the world. 

 

In your opinion, what do you think is in store for the city of Detroit?

 Although the road has not been easy, Detroit has a very bright future. With so many brilliant economic development angles, I think our city is positioning itself for success. In addition to economic development, I think that, if we prioritize the empowerment of families (I also touch on this concept in my talk), the possibilities for Detroit are endless. What does it mean to empower families? Think parks. Think playgrounds. Think festivals. And think parents playing with their kids again.    

  

How do you think TEDxDetroit will impact the city of Detroit and contribute to the overall goals of TED?

 I think TEDxDetroit 2011 will do for Detroit what TED conferences have always done - stimulate, motivate and energize. An indescribable synergy happens when you bring lots of passionate people together. Networks expand. New ways of thinking emerge, and action leaps are taken. I expect nothing less at TEDxDetroit on September 28!   

 

To hear Anthony share more about his positive ideas for family and play, as well as dozens of other fascinating speakers and artists, don’t miss this year’s TEDxDetroit conference at the Max M. Fisher Music Center on September 28. Apply for tickets today!