all right yeah I don’t like stairs yeah thanks for the intro so I’m the last
thanks for the intro so I’m the last
thanks for the intro so I’m the last person standing between you and dinner
person standing between you and dinner
person standing between you and dinner but I’ll try to keep time so I will not
but I’ll try to keep time so I will not
but I’ll try to keep time so I will not ask you to do any of those things like
ask you to do any of those things like
ask you to do any of those things like closing your eyes for an undefined
closing your eyes for an undefined
closing your eyes for an undefined number of seconds or stand-up but I have
number of seconds or stand-up but I have
number of seconds or stand-up but I have one request for you please be honest not
one request for you please be honest not
one request for you please be honest not with me but with yourself when I ask you
with me but with yourself when I ask you
with me but with yourself when I ask you a few questions or just one or two very
a few questions or just one or two very
a few questions or just one or two very important questions just honestly think
important questions just honestly think
important questions just honestly think and reflect whether that is really what
and reflect whether that is really what
and reflect whether that is really what you’re thinking whether you are
you’re thinking whether you are
you’re thinking whether you are judgmental or whether you’re dishonest
judgmental or whether you’re dishonest
judgmental or whether you’re dishonest with yourself you can lie to other
with yourself you can lie to other
with yourself you can lie to other people but not to yourself okay
people but not to yourself okay
people but not to yourself okay so let’s start with this very very
so let’s start with this very very
so let’s start with this very very simple that’s the world and my question
simple that’s the world and my question
simple that’s the world and my question is how global are you and by global I
is how global are you and by global I
is how global are you and by global I mean what kind of global mindset do you
mean what kind of global mindset do you
mean what kind of global mindset do you have now this is TEDx so I assume you’re
have now this is TEDx so I assume you’re
have now this is TEDx so I assume you’re all the cosmopolitan elite the kind of
all the cosmopolitan elite the kind of
all the cosmopolitan elite the kind of people who know that Rex it might have
people who know that Rex it might have
people who know that Rex it might have been a mistake and that 2016 is a bad
been a mistake and that 2016 is a bad
been a mistake and that 2016 is a bad year for democracy and that really we
year for democracy and that really we
year for democracy and that really we should not become localized but we
should not become localized but we
should not become localized but we should embrace the world we should
should embrace the world we should
should embrace the world we should understand the world yeah sure sure sure
understand the world yeah sure sure sure
understand the world yeah sure sure sure you all know that right and I also hope
you all know that right and I also hope
you all know that right and I also hope your global enough to realize that’s not
your global enough to realize that’s not
your global enough to realize that’s not a real world see you see that there’s no
a real world see you see that there’s no
a real world see you see that there’s no countries okay this is a real world but
countries okay this is a real world but
countries okay this is a real world but how global are you if you think yeah you
how global are you if you think yeah you
how global are you if you think yeah you know maybe I went to an international
know maybe I went to an international
know maybe I went to an international school where I have some friends from
school where I have some friends from
school where I have some friends from other countries you know I traveled I
other countries you know I traveled I
other countries you know I traveled I went around I’m quite global it is a
went around I’m quite global it is a
went around I’m quite global it is a daunting task a lot of people in this
daunting task a lot of people in this
daunting task a lot of people in this world a lot of countries even if you
world a lot of countries even if you
world a lot of countries even if you think oh yeah I’ve traveled to like 20
think oh yeah I’ve traveled to like 20
think oh yeah I’ve traveled to like 20 countries I could lucked out more than
countries I could lucked out more than
countries I could lucked out more than 200 depends how you count languages 5 to
200 depends how you count languages 5 to
200 depends how you count languages 5 to 7,000 depending how defined languages or
7,000 depending how defined languages or
7,000 depending how defined languages or or dialects so isn’t even worth it
or dialects so isn’t even worth it
or dialects so isn’t even worth it pursuing as understanding the whole
pursuing as understanding the whole
pursuing as understanding the whole world can you well yes and no over the
world can you well yes and no over the
world can you well yes and no over the last couple of years me or I and my
last couple of years me or I and my
last couple of years me or I and my colleagues we’ve worked with a lot of
colleagues we’ve worked with a lot of
colleagues we’ve worked with a lot of different nationalities more than 80 and
different nationalities more than 80 and
different nationalities more than 80 and was part of organization and a couple of
was part of organization and a couple of
was part of organization and a couple of things I have learnt
things I have learnt
things I have learnt of course is to be humble and to realize
of course is to be humble and to realize
of course is to be humble and to realize how little I actually know about the
how little I actually know about the
how little I actually know about the world but another one is something very
world but another one is something very
world but another one is something very very simple insultingly simple one of
very simple insultingly simple one of
very simple insultingly simple one of the main messages for me to you which is
the main messages for me to you which is
the main messages for me to you which is so so basic that you probably think it’s
so so basic that you probably think it’s
so so basic that you probably think it’s not worth listening to but it requires
not worth listening to but it requires
not worth listening to but it requires your honesty and there’s also a bit of
your honesty and there’s also a bit of
your honesty and there’s also a bit of an echo of some of the speaker’s before
an echo of some of the speaker’s before
an echo of some of the speaker’s before suitably as the last speech you will
suitably as the last speech you will
suitably as the last speech you will hear a bit of Iverson’s kind of travel
hear a bit of Iverson’s kind of travel
hear a bit of Iverson’s kind of travel stories and a bit of dr. Lam’s kind of
stories and a bit of dr. Lam’s kind of
stories and a bit of dr. Lam’s kind of curiosity of children but apply to a
curiosity of children but apply to a
curiosity of children but apply to a different context a different kind of
different context a different kind of
different context a different kind of challenging you know I’m pretty sure
challenging you know I’m pretty sure
challenging you know I’m pretty sure you’re all agree with me that if you
you’re all agree with me that if you
you’re all agree with me that if you really want to know about the world face
really want to know about the world face
really want to know about the world face to face interaction that’s the best
to face interaction that’s the best
to face interaction that’s the best right like talking to someone really and
right like talking to someone really and
right like talking to someone really and I’m sure you’ve all done this whether
I’m sure you’ve all done this whether
I’m sure you’ve all done this whether it’s with exchange students or maybe you
it’s with exchange students or maybe you
it’s with exchange students or maybe you are an exchange student or you have gone
are an exchange student or you have gone
are an exchange student or you have gone exchange you know you’ve met people and
exchange you know you’ve met people and
exchange you know you’ve met people and you’re like yeah where you’re from
you’re like yeah where you’re from
you’re like yeah where you’re from interesting cool yeah you learn about
interesting cool yeah you learn about
interesting cool yeah you learn about the world and face to face but a few
the world and face to face but a few
the world and face to face but a few problems with that number one is that
problems with that number one is that
problems with that number one is that could mean many things you know you can
could mean many things you know you can
could mean many things you know you can face someone and still not get anything
face someone and still not get anything
face someone and still not get anything out of it or number two you could be a
out of it or number two you could be a
out of it or number two you could be a very shy person and that’s the part
very shy person and that’s the part
very shy person and that’s the part where maybe I put a bit of Jamie insight
where maybe I put a bit of Jamie insight
where maybe I put a bit of Jamie insight because some people are shy some people
because some people are shy some people
because some people are shy some people have lack of confidence when you’re
have lack of confidence when you’re
have lack of confidence when you’re young you’re not when I was young I was
young you’re not when I was young I was
young you’re not when I was young I was quite confident maybe maybe that’s my
quite confident maybe maybe that’s my
quite confident maybe maybe that’s my parents fault I don’t know but then as I
parents fault I don’t know but then as I
parents fault I don’t know but then as I grew older just like was Jamie
grew older just like was Jamie
grew older just like was Jamie explaining before when I grew older I
explaining before when I grew older I
explaining before when I grew older I started to lose my confidence six years
started to lose my confidence six years
started to lose my confidence six years old
old
old you see I’m already getting there like
you see I’m already getting there like
you see I’m already getting there like oh god the world is scary then 12 13
oh god the world is scary then 12 13
oh god the world is scary then 12 13 years old and yes I know what you’re
years old and yes I know what you’re
years old and yes I know what you’re thinking teenage teenage years are close
thinking teenage teenage years are close
thinking teenage teenage years are close to graduation my hair started to grow
to graduation my hair started to grow
to graduation my hair started to grow and that’s never a good sign so you can
and that’s never a good sign so you can
and that’s never a good sign so you can you can see they’re like the teenage
you can see they’re like the teenage
you can see they’re like the teenage awkwardness Indian even when I went to
awkwardness Indian even when I went to
awkwardness Indian even when I went to university yeah exactly
university yeah exactly
university yeah exactly even when I went to university a pretty
even when I went to university a pretty
even when I went to university a pretty global university was people from all
global university was people from all
global university was people from all around the world I was somehow not
around the world I was somehow not
around the world I was somehow not getting that much out of it because I
getting that much out of it because I
getting that much out of it because I had awkward conversations I tried to
had awkward conversations I tried to
had awkward conversations I tried to turn them better I tried to adhere to
turn them better I tried to adhere to
turn them better I tried to adhere to all the etiquette of go to small talk
all the etiquette of go to small talk
all the etiquette of go to small talk and good conversations but the more I
and good conversations but the more I
and good conversations but the more I did this the less I felt I learned about
did this the less I felt I learned about
did this the less I felt I learned about the world which is really really weird
the world which is really really weird
the world which is really really weird what happens now as we heard from the MC
what happens now as we heard from the MC
what happens now as we heard from the MC I’m I’m weird and I’m proud of it I’m
I’m I’m weird and I’m proud of it I’m
I’m I’m weird and I’m proud of it I’m shameless the people who know me know
shameless the people who know me know
shameless the people who know me know that I can
that I can
that I can save on the streets and not care what
save on the streets and not care what
save on the streets and not care what other people like you look at me yeah
other people like you look at me yeah
other people like you look at me yeah but but what what happened so it’s not
but but what what happened so it’s not
but but what what happened so it’s not just that magically I got confident and
just that magically I got confident and
just that magically I got confident and it’s not just something I can teach you
it’s not just something I can teach you
it’s not just something I can teach you but there’s something else I realized
but there’s something else I realized
but there’s something else I realized that trying so hard to have this kind of
that trying so hard to have this kind of
that trying so hard to have this kind of proper small talk was really really
proper small talk was really really
proper small talk was really really counterproductive in fact there’s
counterproductive in fact there’s
counterproductive in fact there’s another way how can become so much more
another way how can become so much more
another way how can become so much more not just confident because my talk is
not just confident because my talk is
not just confident because my talk is not about confidence
not about confidence
not about confidence but it’s about in global now comes the i
but it’s about in global now comes the i
but it’s about in global now comes the i person part I love traveling the first
person part I love traveling the first
person part I love traveling the first time went out was in India and I
time went out was in India and I
time went out was in India and I realized how much I learned from nothing
realized how much I learned from nothing
realized how much I learned from nothing just by talking to people in India
just by talking to people in India
just by talking to people in India traveling brings in weird situations you
traveling brings in weird situations you
traveling brings in weird situations you know random Indian dude a where you’re
know random Indian dude a where you’re
know random Indian dude a where you’re from Germany are Hitler and yeah right
from Germany are Hitler and yeah right
from Germany are Hitler and yeah right but ends like is that all you know but
but ends like is that all you know but
but ends like is that all you know but okay so how much do you know about India
okay so how much do you know about India
okay so how much do you know about India Gandhi so okay that’s like the worst
Gandhi so okay that’s like the worst
Gandhi so okay that’s like the worst comparison ever and I’m not even trying
comparison ever and I’m not even trying
comparison ever and I’m not even trying but the thing is like from this not very
but the thing is like from this not very
but the thing is like from this not very academic discussion I started to learn
academic discussion I started to learn
academic discussion I started to learn so much about the country not from
so much about the country not from
so much about the country not from reading a Travel Guide or reading a book
reading a Travel Guide or reading a book
reading a Travel Guide or reading a book on a very basic conversation with
on a very basic conversation with
on a very basic conversation with extreme communication problems I was 17
extreme communication problems I was 17
extreme communication problems I was 17 years old
years old
years old half of these words I couldn’t
half of these words I couldn’t
half of these words I couldn’t understand because I was not used to the
understand because I was not used to the
understand because I was not used to the Indian accent some of you who might be
Indian accent some of you who might be
Indian accent some of you who might be aware of this a few years later I
aware of this a few years later I
aware of this a few years later I traveled some more in Thailand I
traveled some more in Thailand I
traveled some more in Thailand I realized this was when this guy was just
realized this was when this guy was just
realized this was when this guy was just out stood from government taxing see
out stood from government taxing see
out stood from government taxing see most wanted for crimes against the
most wanted for crimes against the
most wanted for crimes against the kingdom of Thailand
kingdom of Thailand
kingdom of Thailand so yeah I heard of this you know the
so yeah I heard of this you know the
so yeah I heard of this you know the photo I I read something on a news there
photo I I read something on a news there
photo I I read something on a news there was some some kind of prime minister or
was some some kind of prime minister or
was some some kind of prime minister or something and got out stood and but it
something and got out stood and but it
something and got out stood and but it didn’t mean much to me until I had a
didn’t mean much to me until I had a
didn’t mean much to me until I had a kind of a road trip there was supposed
kind of a road trip there was supposed
kind of a road trip there was supposed to be a three day car sharing I turned
to be a three day car sharing I turned
to be a three day car sharing I turned to it three hours or three hour car
to it three hours or three hour car
to it three hours or three hour car sharing and turned into a three day road
sharing and turned into a three day road
sharing and turned into a three day road trip with a car that kept breaking down
trip with a car that kept breaking down
trip with a car that kept breaking down ending in a slum in Bangkok West then
ending in a slum in Bangkok West then
ending in a slum in Bangkok West then spent a night without proper walls and
spent a night without proper walls and
spent a night without proper walls and the atrocity and water and people who
the atrocity and water and people who
the atrocity and water and people who couldn’t understand me I had worst more
couldn’t understand me I had worst more
couldn’t understand me I had worst more spicy mango salad in my life which isn’t
spicy mango salad in my life which isn’t
spicy mango salad in my life which isn’t the salad by the way it’s ridiculous but
the salad by the way it’s ridiculous but
the salad by the way it’s ridiculous but I also realized that when I showed this
I also realized that when I showed this
I also realized that when I showed this for to do those grandparents
for to do those grandparents
for to do those grandparents that family they started passionately
that family they started passionately
that family they started passionately arguing and talking and pointing at this
arguing and talking and pointing at this
arguing and talking and pointing at this guy I was like what’s going on and I’m
guy I was like what’s going on and I’m
guy I was like what’s going on and I’m desperate grandchildren and really bad
desperate grandchildren and really bad
desperate grandchildren and really bad English tried to explain to me how how
English tried to explain to me how how
English tried to explain to me how how this guy used to give free rights to
this guy used to give free rights to
this guy used to give free rights to some of the supporters in the
some of the supporters in the
some of the supporters in the countryside and subsidizing the farmers
countryside and subsidizing the farmers
countryside and subsidizing the farmers and just this grandmother’s family comes
and just this grandmother’s family comes
and just this grandmother’s family comes from his background and she was
from his background and she was
from his background and she was defending him whereas the grandfather
defending him whereas the grandfather
defending him whereas the grandfather was like angry because his family was
was like angry because his family was
was like angry because his family was like a Chinese Thai family from Bangkok
like a Chinese Thai family from Bangkok
like a Chinese Thai family from Bangkok and Wow
and Wow
and Wow within this conversation with limited
within this conversation with limited
within this conversation with limited English I learned so much mobile type
English I learned so much mobile type
English I learned so much mobile type politics in history then it could have
politics in history then it could have
politics in history then it could have been reading the entire book an
been reading the entire book an
been reading the entire book an autobiography or that time in Russia in
autobiography or that time in Russia in
autobiography or that time in Russia in Siberia when my system he got stuck in
Siberia when my system he got stuck in
Siberia when my system he got stuck in the countryside in in Siberia hundreds
the countryside in in Siberia hundreds
the countryside in in Siberia hundreds of miles out of civilization you know at
of miles out of civilization you know at
of miles out of civilization you know at lake baikal where a fishing boat is
lake baikal where a fishing boat is
lake baikal where a fishing boat is supposed to pick us up the next day
supposed to pick us up the next day
supposed to pick us up the next day after camping didn’t and then we kind of
after camping didn’t and then we kind of
after camping didn’t and then we kind of got saved and picked up at the Russian
got saved and picked up at the Russian
got saved and picked up at the Russian military and then took us on a boat from
military and then took us on a boat from
military and then took us on a boat from one day that by they had to do a
one day that by they had to do a
one day that by they had to do a military exercise which turned out to be
military exercise which turned out to be
military exercise which turned out to be barbecue chicken and vodka and beer
barbecue chicken and vodka and beer
barbecue chicken and vodka and beer including for breakfast including the
including for breakfast including the
including for breakfast including the captain driving the ship so you know I
captain driving the ship so you know I
captain driving the ship so you know I couldn’t have dreamt that up in some
couldn’t have dreamt that up in some
couldn’t have dreamt that up in some kind of a cliche Cold War movie but
kind of a cliche Cold War movie but
kind of a cliche Cold War movie but whoo-hoo and this book pretty much zero
whoo-hoo and this book pretty much zero
whoo-hoo and this book pretty much zero English the only English sentence was
English the only English sentence was
English the only English sentence was like Russian military better than
like Russian military better than
like Russian military better than American military and I’m pretty sure
American military and I’m pretty sure
American military and I’m pretty sure I’m pretty sure that did understand that
I’m pretty sure that did understand that
I’m pretty sure that did understand that we’re not Americans but who knows
we’re not Americans but who knows
we’re not Americans but who knows the thing is though you know we started
the thing is though you know we started
the thing is though you know we started playing silly games you know talking
playing silly games you know talking
playing silly games you know talking about saying city names that start with
about saying city names that start with
about saying city names that start with a sudden let any alphabet I’m pretty
a sudden let any alphabet I’m pretty
a sudden let any alphabet I’m pretty sure it’s someone he was just making up
sure it’s someone he was just making up
sure it’s someone he was just making up Russian cities and I wasn’t making up
Russian cities and I wasn’t making up
Russian cities and I wasn’t making up German cities and it just playing or
German cities and it just playing or
German cities and it just playing or jumping into the ice-cold lake and doing
jumping into the ice-cold lake and doing
jumping into the ice-cold lake and doing some swimming through these weird
some swimming through these weird
some swimming through these weird interactions again I learned so much
interactions again I learned so much
interactions again I learned so much more about what the military in Russia
more about what the military in Russia
more about what the military in Russia is like of course it’s not
is like of course it’s not
is like of course it’s not representative okay any Russians in you
representative okay any Russians in you
representative okay any Russians in you I apologize but that’s just a personal
I apologize but that’s just a personal
I apologize but that’s just a personal experience and then I realized I
experience and then I realized I
experience and then I realized I realized something really important I
realized something really important I
realized something really important I get university back on campus so global
get university back on campus so global
get university back on campus so global so many interactions so many people and
so many interactions so many people and
so many interactions so many people and someone I learned so much less about the
someone I learned so much less about the
someone I learned so much less about the world even though communication wasn’t
world even though communication wasn’t
world even though communication wasn’t the problem but maybe it was but we all
the problem but maybe it was but we all
the problem but maybe it was but we all spoke English and those travel
spoke English and those travel
spoke English and those travel experiences there was no English for
experiences there was no English for
experiences there was no English for hardly any other
hardly any other
hardly any other why is that the main thing that I
why is that the main thing that I
why is that the main thing that I realizing the main thing I want to put
realizing the main thing I want to put
realizing the main thing I want to put into your heads before you have dinner
into your heads before you have dinner
into your heads before you have dinner maybe even during dinner is that I
maybe even during dinner is that I
maybe even during dinner is that I believe most people in cross-cultural
believe most people in cross-cultural
believe most people in cross-cultural small talk have to walk it’s like
small talk have to walk it’s like
small talk have to walk it’s like walking on a mountain ridge when you
walking on a mountain ridge when you
walking on a mountain ridge when you walk along you have been careful not to
walk along you have been careful not to
walk along you have been careful not to fall down to the left or fall down to
fall down to the left or fall down to
fall down to the left or fall down to the right you want to avoid this kind of
the right you want to avoid this kind of
the right you want to avoid this kind of slipping down by you want to avoid basic
slipping down by you want to avoid basic
slipping down by you want to avoid basic embarrassment that you actually don’t
embarrassment that you actually don’t
embarrassment that you actually don’t know anything about that other person’s
know anything about that other person’s
know anything about that other person’s country so you know when I’m from a
country so you know when I’m from a
country so you know when I’m from a faraway country you’re like mmm mmm
faraway country you’re like mmm mmm
faraway country you’re like mmm mmm interesting you know like pretending
interesting you know like pretending
interesting you know like pretending that you do know very well without from
that you do know very well without from
that you do know very well without from any other hand you know you also want to
any other hand you know you also want to
any other hand you know you also want to let’s say let’s say you meet on from
let’s say let’s say you meet on from
let’s say let’s say you meet on from Kyrgyzstan not sure many of you have met
Kyrgyzstan not sure many of you have met
Kyrgyzstan not sure many of you have met people in Kyrgyzstan and a conversation
people in Kyrgyzstan and a conversation
people in Kyrgyzstan and a conversation would go I guess yeah way from oh okay
would go I guess yeah way from oh okay
would go I guess yeah way from oh okay it’s done mmm interesting you don’t want
it’s done mmm interesting you don’t want
it’s done mmm interesting you don’t want to say you don’t want to say sorry I
to say you don’t want to say sorry I
to say you don’t want to say sorry I have no idea what that is can you eat
have no idea what that is can you eat
have no idea what that is can you eat that over that’s a country okay cool
that over that’s a country okay cool
that over that’s a country okay cool where I have no idea no you want to say
where I have no idea no you want to say
where I have no idea no you want to say interesting maybe maybe you fall apart
interesting maybe maybe you fall apart
interesting maybe maybe you fall apart which city as if as if you knew any city
which city as if as if you knew any city
which city as if as if you knew any city there do the answer answer it’s like a
there do the answer answer it’s like a
there do the answer answer it’s like a fish cake I mean the capital of Wales
fish cake I mean the capital of Wales
fish cake I mean the capital of Wales would I be from there aren’t that many
would I be from there aren’t that many
would I be from there aren’t that many cities they said oh yeah yeah right cool
cities they said oh yeah yeah right cool
cities they said oh yeah yeah right cool yeah okay and then like you know some
yeah okay and then like you know some
yeah okay and then like you know some nodding and then and then maybe so what
nodding and then and then maybe so what
nodding and then and then maybe so what brings you to Hong Kong or wherever you
brings you to Hong Kong or wherever you
brings you to Hong Kong or wherever you are and then maybe a few minutes later
are and then maybe a few minutes later
are and then maybe a few minutes later you talk about good restaurants in
you talk about good restaurants in
you talk about good restaurants in London or New York City because you want
London or New York City because you want
London or New York City because you want to show how much of a global citizen you
to show how much of a global citizen you
to show how much of a global citizen you are and how much you travel yourself and
are and how much you travel yourself and
are and how much you travel yourself and how much you know and the conversation
how much you know and the conversation
how much you know and the conversation is going nowhere
is going nowhere
is going nowhere you haven’t learned anything about
you haven’t learned anything about
you haven’t learned anything about Kyrgyzstan on the other hand your honor
Kyrgyzstan on the other hand your honor
Kyrgyzstan on the other hand your honor you’re also gonna avoid like falling
you’re also gonna avoid like falling
you’re also gonna avoid like falling down the other side you want to avoid
down the other side you want to avoid
down the other side you want to avoid talking too much and making assumptions
talking too much and making assumptions
talking too much and making assumptions because you don’t want to be that in
because you don’t want to be that in
because you don’t want to be that in offensive jerk who goes around like
offensive jerk who goes around like
offensive jerk who goes around like Kyrgyzstan Oh Stan that sounds like
Kyrgyzstan Oh Stan that sounds like
Kyrgyzstan Oh Stan that sounds like Middle East you have like Isis or
Middle East you have like Isis or
Middle East you have like Isis or terrorists or something there you know
terrorists or something there you know
terrorists or something there you know you don’t want to do that which by the
you don’t want to do that which by the
you don’t want to do that which by the way it’s not in the Middle East it
way it’s not in the Middle East it
way it’s not in the Middle East it doesn’t have terrorists and even the
doesn’t have terrorists and even the
doesn’t have terrorists and even the Middle East doesn’t mean to Isis okay I
Middle East doesn’t mean to Isis okay I
Middle East doesn’t mean to Isis okay I hope you understand that but the thing
hope you understand that but the thing
hope you understand that but the thing is so in order to avoid this in order to
is so in order to avoid this in order to
is so in order to avoid this in order to stay on that path people usually play it
stay on that path people usually play it
stay on that path people usually play it safe don’t talk to a little don’t don’t
safe don’t talk to a little don’t don’t
safe don’t talk to a little don’t don’t don’t don’t show that you don’t know
don’t don’t show that you don’t know
don’t don’t show that you don’t know anything but also don’t talk too much so
anything but also don’t talk too much so
anything but also don’t talk too much so this is my most of the conversation are
this is my most of the conversation are
this is my most of the conversation are the
the
the interesting type of conversations but
interesting type of conversations but
interesting type of conversations but then there’s something totally different
then there’s something totally different
then there’s something totally different that’s the insultingly different thing
that’s the insultingly different thing
that’s the insultingly different thing and you’ll your sense of theme there and
and you’ll your sense of theme there and
and you’ll your sense of theme there and this is dr. Lam’s kind of theme again
this is dr. Lam’s kind of theme again
this is dr. Lam’s kind of theme again you want childish curiosity you want to
you want childish curiosity you want to
you want childish curiosity you want to be this kind of child and when I say
be this kind of child and when I say
be this kind of child and when I say child again people who know me know that
child again people who know me know that
child again people who know me know that I kind of hate children so when as a
I kind of hate children so when as a
I kind of hate children so when as a child I don’t mean these annoying
child I don’t mean these annoying
child I don’t mean these annoying teenagers I also don’t mean there’s like
teenagers I also don’t mean there’s like
teenagers I also don’t mean there’s like crying Devils who will we don’t never
crying Devils who will we don’t never
crying Devils who will we don’t never shut up no no no I mean it’s kind of six
shut up no no no I mean it’s kind of six
shut up no no no I mean it’s kind of six six years old seven you know and they’re
six years old seven you know and they’re
six years old seven you know and they’re really curious there’s lots of why but
really curious there’s lots of why but
really curious there’s lots of why but not just curiosity that’s one more thing
not just curiosity that’s one more thing
not just curiosity that’s one more thing yeah I think everything is awesome I
yeah I think everything is awesome I
yeah I think everything is awesome I think everything is cool and interesting
think everything is cool and interesting
think everything is cool and interesting and everything that waa you know you see
and everything that waa you know you see
and everything that waa you know you see these eyes come out just so cool and you
these eyes come out just so cool and you
these eyes come out just so cool and you can impress them by making up lies and
can impress them by making up lies and
can impress them by making up lies and and talking about how you live in a
and talking about how you live in a
and talking about how you live in a palace and they’re like ah you know but
palace and they’re like ah you know but
palace and they’re like ah you know but if you apply a little bit of this
if you apply a little bit of this
if you apply a little bit of this childish but also innocent curiosity you
childish but also innocent curiosity you
childish but also innocent curiosity you can actually avoid all of those pitfalls
can actually avoid all of those pitfalls
can actually avoid all of those pitfalls you don’t need to fall down to your left
you don’t need to fall down to your left
you don’t need to fall down to your left and your right you’re going a different
and your right you’re going a different
and your right you’re going a different path and you’re safe because of this an
path and you’re safe because of this an
path and you’re safe because of this an innocent curiosity you can’t really
innocent curiosity you can’t really
innocent curiosity you can’t really offend and also you don’t need to worry
offend and also you don’t need to worry
offend and also you don’t need to worry about ignorance you’re like wow I don’t
about ignorance you’re like wow I don’t
about ignorance you’re like wow I don’t know tell me more let’s say Kyrgyzstan
know tell me more let’s say Kyrgyzstan
know tell me more let’s say Kyrgyzstan Oh what that sounds cool like what is
Oh what that sounds cool like what is
Oh what that sounds cool like what is that can you tell me more about it well
that can you tell me more about it well
that can you tell me more about it well it’s a country in Central Asia why like
it’s a country in Central Asia why like
it’s a country in Central Asia why like China
China
China no no essentially why like we’re cover
no no essentially why like we’re cover
no no essentially why like we’re cover son or whatever right what does it look
son or whatever right what does it look
son or whatever right what does it look like when you look out the window or
like when you look out the window or
like when you look out the window or lots of mountains or cool mountains I
lots of mountains or cool mountains I
lots of mountains or cool mountains I love mountains that tell me more like
love mountains that tell me more like
love mountains that tell me more like what you do in a man is only right
what you do in a man is only right
what you do in a man is only right horses you can ride a horse yeah of
horses you can ride a horse yeah of
horses you can ride a horse yeah of course Wow
course Wow
course Wow when did you learn to ride a horse oh
when did you learn to ride a horse oh
when did you learn to ride a horse oh when I was six years old Wow
when I was six years old Wow
when I was six years old Wow by the way this might happen because s s
by the way this might happen because s s
by the way this might happen because s s a good friend from Kyrgyzstan told me
a good friend from Kyrgyzstan told me
a good friend from Kyrgyzstan told me like yeah most people learn riding
like yeah most people learn riding
like yeah most people learn riding horses when they’re six to eight to nine
horses when they’re six to eight to nine
horses when they’re six to eight to nine basically everyone male and female so so
basically everyone male and female so so
basically everyone male and female so so it’s like cool do you ride horses in the
it’s like cool do you ride horses in the
it’s like cool do you ride horses in the city
city
city no we have buses oh okay so thank you
no we have buses oh okay so thank you
no we have buses oh okay so thank you you but you learn so much at the same
you but you learn so much at the same
you but you learn so much at the same time you you you know you you’re just
time you you you know you you’re just
time you you you know you you’re just like my Burt Iverson said you can be
like my Burt Iverson said you can be
like my Burt Iverson said you can be unarmed you can throw away your shield
unarmed you can throw away your shield
unarmed you can throw away your shield and your mask by being childish she also
and your mask by being childish she also
and your mask by being childish she also doesn’t matter if you’re ignorant
doesn’t matter if you’re ignorant
doesn’t matter if you’re ignorant because that’s kind of the point
because that’s kind of the point
because that’s kind of the point you learn so much I want to highlight a
you learn so much I want to highlight a
you learn so much I want to highlight a few examples of inspiration that are
few examples of inspiration that are
few examples of inspiration that are really good fun from people that I
really good fun from people that I
really good fun from people that I admire for skills that I don’t have I
admire for skills that I don’t have I
admire for skills that I don’t have I wish I would be in water
wish I would be in water
wish I would be in water that two people and one of them is even
that two people and one of them is even
that two people and one of them is even sitting in this room that guy is called
sitting in this room that guy is called
sitting in this room that guy is called Jay he’s from Singapore originally and
Jay he’s from Singapore originally and
Jay he’s from Singapore originally and he learned a bit of Cantonese when he
he learned a bit of Cantonese when he
he learned a bit of Cantonese when he came to Hong Kong to work with us he
came to Hong Kong to work with us he
came to Hong Kong to work with us he improved his Cantonese but he does one
improved his Cantonese but he does one
improved his Cantonese but he does one thing that is amazing
thing that is amazing
thing that is amazing whenever we have a project at a
whenever we have a project at a
whenever we have a project at a university at a school or anywhere in
university at a school or anywhere in
university at a school or anywhere in Hongkong he immediately goes and talks
Hongkong he immediately goes and talks
Hongkong he immediately goes and talks to these like middle-aged security
to these like middle-aged security
to these like middle-aged security guards or janitors always and he comes
guards or janitors always and he comes
guards or janitors always and he comes immediately practicing his Cantonese and
immediately practicing his Cantonese and
immediately practicing his Cantonese and asking them whether they have eaten
asking them whether they have eaten
asking them whether they have eaten today and what’s the best restaurant
today and what’s the best restaurant
today and what’s the best restaurant around here and whether there they’re
around here and whether there they’re
around here and whether there they’re warm enough because it’s getting cold
warm enough because it’s getting cold
warm enough because it’s getting cold outside and you know all these like
outside and you know all these like
outside and you know all these like middle-aged ladies that I thought this
middle-aged ladies that I thought this
middle-aged ladies that I thought this guy is so cute no one really talks to us
guy is so cute no one really talks to us
guy is so cute no one really talks to us and this guy keeps oh so nice and he
and this guy keeps oh so nice and he
and this guy keeps oh so nice and he realized something that most of us
realized something that most of us
realized something that most of us including a lot of Hong Kong stuff have
including a lot of Hong Kong stuff have
including a lot of Hong Kong stuff have long forgotten is that janitors are
long forgotten is that janitors are
long forgotten is that janitors are usually the most powerful people in any
usually the most powerful people in any
usually the most powerful people in any institutions and you know he keeps
institutions and you know he keeps
institutions and you know he keeps talking to them more than anyone else
talking to them more than anyone else
talking to them more than anyone else and we get a lot of benefits this way
and we get a lot of benefits this way
and we get a lot of benefits this way but also you learn so many things of of
but also you learn so many things of of
but also you learn so many things of of almost lost stories you’ve all taken
almost lost stories you’ve all taken
almost lost stories you’ve all taken ships maybe Star Ferry and Hong Kong or
ships maybe Star Ferry and Hong Kong or
ships maybe Star Ferry and Hong Kong or other ships ever talked to the people
other ships ever talked to the people
other ships ever talked to the people driving the ship well Jay has and found
driving the ship well Jay has and found
driving the ship well Jay has and found out how this one guy you know stays from
out how this one guy you know stays from
out how this one guy you know stays from the boat overnight so that he can take
the boat overnight so that he can take
the boat overnight so that he can take the new 6 o’clock ferry that is pretty
the new 6 o’clock ferry that is pretty
the new 6 o’clock ferry that is pretty impressive another one also work in my
impressive another one also work in my
impressive another one also work in my team is she’s called linka
team is she’s called linka
team is she’s called linka she’s from mainland China and it’s not
she’s from mainland China and it’s not
she’s from mainland China and it’s not that she’s not aware of it but she
that she’s not aware of it but she
that she’s not aware of it but she chooses to ignore like a child ignore
chooses to ignore like a child ignore
chooses to ignore like a child ignore this does this kind of bad air that
this does this kind of bad air that
this does this kind of bad air that sometimes can be between mainland
sometimes can be between mainland
sometimes can be between mainland Chinese in Hong Kong and it’s implicit
Chinese in Hong Kong and it’s implicit
Chinese in Hong Kong and it’s implicit discrimination and just goes all out
discrimination and just goes all out
discrimination and just goes all out enthusiastically hey so cool nice to
enthusiastically hey so cool nice to
enthusiastically hey so cool nice to meet you would tell me more about
meet you would tell me more about
meet you would tell me more about yourself and just starts talking to you
yourself and just starts talking to you
yourself and just starts talking to you there’s no dead air she will talk to you
there’s no dead air she will talk to you
there’s no dead air she will talk to you whether you want it or not the moment
whether you want it or not the moment
whether you want it or not the moment recently it was last summer she flew to
recently it was last summer she flew to
recently it was last summer she flew to Sweden to visit another friend of ours
Sweden to visit another friend of ours
Sweden to visit another friend of ours another colleague and I was a 12-hour
another colleague and I was a 12-hour
another colleague and I was a 12-hour airplane flight and he’s 12-hour flights
airplane flight and he’s 12-hour flights
airplane flight and he’s 12-hour flights you know I feel 12 hours fine I mean I
you know I feel 12 hours fine I mean I
you know I feel 12 hours fine I mean I love flying so I I have to sit near the
love flying so I I have to sit near the
love flying so I I have to sit near the window so I could
window so I could
window so I could watchout is all nice but she’s like no I
watchout is all nice but she’s like no I
watchout is all nice but she’s like no I don’t care about the window I want to
don’t care about the window I want to
don’t care about the window I want to see in the middle seat like why because
see in the middle seat like why because
see in the middle seat like why because imagine 12 hours is amazing you can talk
imagine 12 hours is amazing you can talk
imagine 12 hours is amazing you can talk to your seat neighbors for 12 hours
to your seat neighbors for 12 hours
to your seat neighbors for 12 hours non-stop and and she was like maybe
non-stop and and she was like maybe
non-stop and and she was like maybe maybe she reinvented she was excited to
maybe she reinvented she was excited to
maybe she reinvented she was excited to have 12 hour conversations with their
have 12 hour conversations with their
have 12 hour conversations with their neighbors all of us in the office felt
neighbors all of us in the office felt
neighbors all of us in the office felt sorry for those neighbors but this is
sorry for those neighbors but this is
sorry for those neighbors but this is what I mean childlikeness Eve curiosity
what I mean childlikeness Eve curiosity
what I mean childlikeness Eve curiosity passion and this is a last one that’s
passion and this is a last one that’s
passion and this is a last one that’s actually nothing special she’s my
actually nothing special she’s my
actually nothing special she’s my girlfriend and she would kill me if I
girlfriend and she would kill me if I
girlfriend and she would kill me if I mention other two people that not her so
before I finish before I finish I can
before I finish before I finish I can already feel me you might have some
already feel me you might have some
already feel me you might have some objections you might think we’re wait a
objections you might think we’re wait a
objections you might think we’re wait a second you know maybe I’m still too shy
second you know maybe I’m still too shy
second you know maybe I’m still too shy so I would love to but I can’t do this
so I would love to but I can’t do this
so I would love to but I can’t do this but my answer would be exactly if you’re
but my answer would be exactly if you’re
but my answer would be exactly if you’re shy this is the best tool you have
shy this is the best tool you have
shy this is the best tool you have because if you’re shy you don’t need to
because if you’re shy you don’t need to
because if you’re shy you don’t need to stick to this awkward this awkward
stick to this awkward this awkward
stick to this awkward this awkward etiquette and protocol and you don’t
etiquette and protocol and you don’t
etiquette and protocol and you don’t have to worry about being judged you can
have to worry about being judged you can
have to worry about being judged you can see I’m a child
see I’m a child
see I’m a child let tell me more and no matter how sure
let tell me more and no matter how sure
let tell me more and no matter how sure you are you can do it it’s just try it
you are you can do it it’s just try it
you are you can do it it’s just try it out
out
out maybe you think come on I’m a little bit
maybe you think come on I’m a little bit
maybe you think come on I’m a little bit too mature for this I know quite a bit
too mature for this I know quite a bit
too mature for this I know quite a bit about the word I don’t need to do this I
about the word I don’t need to do this I
about the word I don’t need to do this I want to have more like adult
want to have more like adult
want to have more like adult conversations really I mean if that’s
conversations really I mean if that’s
conversations really I mean if that’s the case fine so but I don’t want to
the case fine so but I don’t want to
the case fine so but I don’t want to really address this so you can notice in
really address this so you can notice in
really address this so you can notice in this case but but really if you really
this case but but really if you really
this case but but really if you really think you know the world come back and
think you know the world come back and
think you know the world come back and tell me location of every one of
tell me location of every one of
tell me location of every one of Africa’s 54 countries if you can do that
Africa’s 54 countries if you can do that
Africa’s 54 countries if you can do that then you know about the world but unless
then you know about the world but unless
then you know about the world but unless you do that go and have some curiosity
you do that go and have some curiosity
you do that go and have some curiosity the last point it’s maybe the most
the last point it’s maybe the most
the last point it’s maybe the most serious one and I partially agree to
serious one and I partially agree to
serious one and I partially agree to this that we live as some people say in
this that we live as some people say in
this that we live as some people say in a post facto post truth society
a post facto post truth society
a post facto post truth society especially now you know with democracy
especially now you know with democracy
especially now you know with democracy and politics that people don’t really
and politics that people don’t really
and politics that people don’t really look at data and numbers and just trust
look at data and numbers and just trust
look at data and numbers and just trust anecdotes and opinions of people right
anecdotes and opinions of people right
anecdotes and opinions of people right everything’s an opinion therefore you
everything’s an opinion therefore you
everything’s an opinion therefore you can argue anything that is a problem
can argue anything that is a problem
can argue anything that is a problem my background is actually mathematics
my background is actually mathematics
my background is actually mathematics and computer science I love data I love
and computer science I love data I love
and computer science I love data I love numbers but at the same time they are
numbers but at the same time they are
numbers but at the same time they are meaningless if they’re not based on
meaningless if they’re not based on
meaningless if they’re not based on something emotive and expressive our
something emotive and expressive our
something emotive and expressive our brains just work like that our brains
brains just work like that our brains
brains just work like that our brains don’t work like a computer or storing
don’t work like a computer or storing
don’t work like a computer or storing endless sequences of numbers and facts
endless sequences of numbers and facts
endless sequences of numbers and facts we can’t memorize Wikipedia so we have
we can’t memorize Wikipedia so we have
we can’t memorize Wikipedia so we have to start with the human
to start with the human
to start with the human with emotions and pictures so what I
with emotions and pictures so what I
with emotions and pictures so what I would say is yes and no it is this kind
would say is yes and no it is this kind
would say is yes and no it is this kind of important but we can combine it it’s
of important but we can combine it it’s
of important but we can combine it it’s not a contradiction we can use the
not a contradiction we can use the
not a contradiction we can use the critical minds of adults but use it with
critical minds of adults but use it with
critical minds of adults but use it with the passion and wonder of children we
the passion and wonder of children we
the passion and wonder of children we can combine those two together we can
can combine those two together we can
can combine those two together we can say yes this is just an anecdote but
say yes this is just an anecdote but
say yes this is just an anecdote but it’s a good starting point
it’s a good starting point
it’s a good starting point instead what most people do is the other
instead what most people do is the other
instead what most people do is the other way around which is terrible they use no
way around which is terrible they use no
way around which is terrible they use no critical thinking but at the same time
critical thinking but at the same time
critical thinking but at the same time they have no wonder and passion so
they have no wonder and passion so
they have no wonder and passion so please use this wonder use this passion
please use this wonder use this passion
please use this wonder use this passion it’s my main message for you you can do
it’s my main message for you you can do
it’s my main message for you you can do that even during dinner we in our
that even during dinner we in our
that even during dinner we in our organization do this as well we think
organization do this as well we think
organization do this as well we think just like as you know traveling in life
just like as you know traveling in life
just like as you know traveling in life should be related it’s like life is like
should be related it’s like life is like
should be related it’s like life is like a book and if you don’t travel it’s like
a book and if you don’t travel it’s like
a book and if you don’t travel it’s like just reading the cover page I’m sure
just reading the cover page I’m sure
just reading the cover page I’m sure you’ve seen this floating around
you’ve seen this floating around
you’ve seen this floating around Facebook but the thing is of course we
Facebook but the thing is of course we
Facebook but the thing is of course we can’t bring everyone to the world and
can’t bring everyone to the world and
can’t bring everyone to the world and the premise of our organization and our
the premise of our organization and our
the premise of our organization and our business is actually quite simple we can
business is actually quite simple we can
business is actually quite simple we can or should be animation we can not bring
or should be animation we can not bring
or should be animation we can not bring people out to the world but we can bring
people out to the world but we can bring
people out to the world but we can bring the world back to people this is why we
the world back to people this is why we
the world back to people this is why we decided to have a school for global
decided to have a school for global
decided to have a school for global citizens that’s what we’re doing in Hong
citizens that’s what we’re doing in Hong
citizens that’s what we’re doing in Hong Kong universities and secondary schools
Kong universities and secondary schools
Kong universities and secondary schools that’s why we interact with so many
that’s why we interact with so many
that’s why we interact with so many nationalities and why do you want to be
nationalities and why do you want to be
nationalities and why do you want to be more children more curious to do things
more children more curious to do things
more children more curious to do things so that’s what I’d like you to do during
so that’s what I’d like you to do during
so that’s what I’d like you to do during dinner even just after this talk ends
dinner even just after this talk ends
dinner even just after this talk ends pick something from another country I
pick something from another country I
pick something from another country I think someone you have not met before
think someone you have not met before
think someone you have not met before and go like a child
and go like a child
and go like a child whoa tell me more tell me what what what
whoa tell me more tell me what what what
whoa tell me more tell me what what what reminds me of your childhood what’s to
reminds me of your childhood what’s to
reminds me of your childhood what’s to smell when you wake up in the morning
smell when you wake up in the morning
smell when you wake up in the morning what was the most frustrating thing
what was the most frustrating thing
what was the most frustrating thing about your mom and your dad all those
about your mom and your dad all those
about your mom and your dad all those emotions all those human is extracted
emotions all those human is extracted
emotions all those human is extracted from people be a child and then think
from people be a child and then think
from people be a child and then think again how global are you how global
again how global are you how global
again how global are you how global thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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