TED Talk Response #7

TED Talk by Mick Ebeling

1. From this video I have taken away the inspiring idea that paralyzed people can finally have a way to communicate with others. Instead of having to spend huge amounts of money on Stephan Hawking's machine that allows paralyzed people to communicate, a group of 'computer geeks' from all over the world have come together to create a device for their friend, Tony, who was paralyzed. This friend is a big-time graffiti artist in the 80's who experienced ALS and is now completely paralyzed except for his eyes, and has been this way for 7 years, stuck in his mind without a body that functions correctly. Mick and his buddies knew Tony was being tortured by not being able to create art. Mick talked to the family of the paralyzed artist, and even though he had no idea how he was going to do it, he was motivated enough to tell Tony's family he would find away for him to communicate and do his art again. Then, after tons of reasearch, collaboration, and hard-work came along the invention that unlocked a locked in artist. A simple pair of sunglasses with LED lights, wires, and a camera from a PS3 turned into an invention that finally allowed paralyzed people to communicate and draw with movements of their eyes. The device was taken to Tony and he drew for the first time, and later sent an email that said he felt like he had been pulled out from underwater because of the EyeWriter. If you see something that is impossible, make it possible.
2. The speaker was very effective in his speaking techniques. He spoke clearly and directly to the audience and quickly got them hooked in his presentation. He told a story around his slides and spoke smoothly. He kept all his ideas together and used hand movements to clarify each of the inspiring ideas he vocalized.
3. Mick's presentation style was very engaging. He really talked directly to the audience and made sure he had them captivated in his talk. He gave examples, showed pictures that people could relate to and included some humor that provided some comic relief. Also, he brought along the invention he had come up with and described and showed pictures of it in action. He also made the audience aware that devices like his aren't to be kept from the world, but shared so everyone can experience the greatness of communicated with paralyzed loved ones.
4. What matters in this video is the incredible invention brought into the light by a small team of people that finally allows paralyzed people to communicate for a very small amount of money. This connects to me personally because if I ever has a family member or friend go paralyzed there is now an inexpensive way to be able to communicate with them. This connects to education because it opens a whole new realm for research, which is how to make this product better and more efficient. This connects to the world because for many years people have not been able to communicate with paralyzed people in an efficient way, but now, with the arrival of the EyeWriter, people can finally bridge that gap of communication with paralyzed people.