I don’t have to stand in front here don’t know I’m good here hi everyone my
don’t know I’m good here hi everyone my
don’t know I’m good here hi everyone my name is Mitchell Chuvalo I have been a
name is Mitchell Chuvalo I have been a
name is Mitchell Chuvalo I have been a teacher a coach and an educator for some
teacher a coach and an educator for some
teacher a coach and an educator for some thirty years a long time I’m glad I’m
thirty years a long time I’m glad I’m
thirty years a long time I’m glad I’m having the opportunity tonight to talk
having the opportunity tonight to talk
having the opportunity tonight to talk to you about the power of transformation
to you about the power of transformation
to you about the power of transformation in young people and what distinguishes
in young people and what distinguishes
in young people and what distinguishes change from transformation and what
change from transformation and what
change from transformation and what Trent would change what differentiates
Trent would change what differentiates
Trent would change what differentiates transformation from metamorphosis there
transformation from metamorphosis there
transformation from metamorphosis there I got it I think there’s a formula that
I got it I think there’s a formula that
I got it I think there’s a formula that you can employ that will assist that
you can employ that will assist that
you can employ that will assist that change it happened with me it’s happened
change it happened with me it’s happened
change it happened with me it’s happened to other people in my life and happens
to other people in my life and happens
to other people in my life and happens with students I teach every single day
with students I teach every single day
with students I teach every single day so let’s just go back for a second to
so let’s just go back for a second to
so let’s just go back for a second to the fact that you know there are seven
the fact that you know there are seven
the fact that you know there are seven billion people in the world and if we
billion people in the world and if we
billion people in the world and if we are fortunate enough and lucky enough we
are fortunate enough and lucky enough we
are fortunate enough and lucky enough we all get to be an adolescent if the
all get to be an adolescent if the
all get to be an adolescent if the conditions are right each one of us at
conditions are right each one of us at
conditions are right each one of us at that time starts to form an identity and
that time starts to form an identity and
that time starts to form an identity and our identity is based on our experiences
our identity is based on our experiences
our identity is based on our experiences and that’s quite normal but it’s an
and that’s quite normal but it’s an
and that’s quite normal but it’s an incomplete identity but it’s a very
incomplete identity but it’s a very
incomplete identity but it’s a very particular identity to our own
particular identity to our own
particular identity to our own experience and when that happens we
experience and when that happens we
experience and when that happens we oftentimes come into conflict with other
oftentimes come into conflict with other
oftentimes come into conflict with other people I have an identity but they don’t
people I have an identity but they don’t
people I have an identity but they don’t share the same perspective that we have
share the same perspective that we have
share the same perspective that we have because we have particular eyes
because we have particular eyes
because we have particular eyes experiences and particular eyes their
experiences and particular eyes their
experiences and particular eyes their identities what happens then when those
identities what happens then when those
identities what happens then when those two things conflict right there’s an
two things conflict right there’s an
two things conflict right there’s an angsty eight it there’s a problem and
angsty eight it there’s a problem and
angsty eight it there’s a problem and what we do very naturally is we turn to
what we do very naturally is we turn to
what we do very naturally is we turn to philosophy and a very specific type of
philosophy and a very specific type of
philosophy and a very specific type of philosophy that philosophy is called
philosophy that philosophy is called
philosophy that philosophy is called axiology or value theory and kids
axiology or value theory and kids
axiology or value theory and kids naturally do this all the time think
naturally do this all the time think
naturally do this all the time think about young kids all the time when this
about young kids all the time when this
about young kids all the time when this happens they are in deep distress and
happens they are in deep distress and
happens they are in deep distress and you can hear the young girl’s voice
you can hear the young girl’s voice
you can hear the young girl’s voice right now that’s not fair that’s not
right now that’s not fair that’s not
right now that’s not fair that’s not fair I should have just as much as
fair I should have just as much as
fair I should have just as much as he or she has that’s not right that’s
he or she has that’s not right that’s
he or she has that’s not right that’s not equal kids do it all the time
not equal kids do it all the time
not equal kids do it all the time they’re natural philosophers which is an
they’re natural philosophers which is an
they’re natural philosophers which is an interesting thing because they don’t
interesting thing because they don’t
interesting thing because they don’t quite yet have the lexicon to work out
quite yet have the lexicon to work out
quite yet have the lexicon to work out bigger problems but there is an
bigger problems but there is an
bigger problems but there is an understanding that they will use
understanding that they will use
understanding that they will use axiology at some point of their in their
axiology at some point of their in their
axiology at some point of their in their framework to get around argumentation
framework to get around argumentation
framework to get around argumentation with other people who also have a very
with other people who also have a very
with other people who also have a very personalised identity now my kids do
personalised identity now my kids do
personalised identity now my kids do this all the time I have two boys 111
this all the time I have two boys 111
this all the time I have two boys 111 and 113 and they argue over the ps4 all
and 113 and they argue over the ps4 all
and 113 and they argue over the ps4 all the time you know a ps4 for those who
the time you know a ps4 for those who
the time you know a ps4 for those who you know all know what a ps4 is they dad
you know all know what a ps4 is they dad
you know all know what a ps4 is they dad he’s been on for 20 minutes I only got
he’s been on for 20 minutes I only got
he’s been on for 20 minutes I only got 18 minutes son why are you arguing over
18 minutes son why are you arguing over
18 minutes son why are you arguing over two minutes in fact you’ve been arguing
two minutes in fact you’ve been arguing
two minutes in fact you’ve been arguing for the last 10 minutes over two minutes
for the last 10 minutes over two minutes
for the last 10 minutes over two minutes in an act of generosity and kindness
in an act of generosity and kindness
in an act of generosity and kindness wouldn’t it have been better wouldn’t
wouldn’t it have been better wouldn’t
wouldn’t it have been better wouldn’t have been the better value to employer
have been the better value to employer
have been the better value to employer and let your brother have that extra two
and let your brother have that extra two
and let your brother have that extra two minutes without worrying about it no dad
minutes without worrying about it no dad
minutes without worrying about it no dad that’s not how the that’s not the way
that’s not how the that’s not the way
that’s not how the that’s not the way the world works in fact it is the way
the world works in fact it is the way
the world works in fact it is the way the world works because everything we do
the world works because everything we do
the world works because everything we do in our lives every single thing we do
in our lives every single thing we do
in our lives every single thing we do admits of a deeper value structure a
admits of a deeper value structure a
admits of a deeper value structure a deeper value Laden act and I can tell
deeper value Laden act and I can tell
deeper value Laden act and I can tell you that by just looking out at you
you that by just looking out at you
you that by just looking out at you tonight we’re here having a TEDx talk
tonight we’re here having a TEDx talk
tonight we’re here having a TEDx talk TEDx obviously values people in the
TEDx obviously values people in the
TEDx obviously values people in the community coming together and talking I
community coming together and talking I
community coming together and talking I think that’s a good thing the shoes I
think that’s a good thing the shoes I
think that’s a good thing the shoes I wore tonight you know I think I look
wore tonight you know I think I look
wore tonight you know I think I look pretty good in these shoes I decided you
pretty good in these shoes I decided you
pretty good in these shoes I decided you know aesthetically they look good out of
know aesthetically they look good out of
know aesthetically they look good out of me I’ll make a decision to wear those is
me I’ll make a decision to wear those is
me I’ll make a decision to wear those is jacket my buddy got for me that looks
jacket my buddy got for me that looks
jacket my buddy got for me that looks fantastic I’ll put that on why not all
fantastic I’ll put that on why not all
fantastic I’ll put that on why not all right everything has an underlying value
right everything has an underlying value
right everything has an underlying value structure the food I eat tonight will
structure the food I eat tonight will
structure the food I eat tonight will say something about my value my value
say something about my value my value
say something about my value my value system transportation I take home we’ll
system transportation I take home we’ll
system transportation I take home we’ll say something about my value system so
say something about my value system so
say something about my value system so I’m of the belief that values guide
I’m of the belief that values guide
I’m of the belief that values guide everything we do in our lives although
everything we do in our lives although
everything we do in our lives although my sons disagree now I talked about
my sons disagree now I talked about
my sons disagree now I talked about particularization of your experience in
particularization of your experience in
particularization of your experience in your identity as a limiting condition
your identity as a limiting condition
your identity as a limiting condition and I have to be very careful here we
and I have to be very careful here we
and I have to be very careful here we want individuals with varied perspective
want individuals with varied perspective
want individuals with varied perspective we want people to have differing
we want people to have differing
we want people to have differing viewpoints we want people to express
viewpoints we want people to express
viewpoints we want people to express their lives personally and very
their lives personally and very
their lives personally and very concretely as its differentiated from
concretely as its differentiated from
concretely as its differentiated from other people however yeah well let me go
other people however yeah well let me go
other people however yeah well let me go back especially because so many people
back especially because so many people
back especially because so many people have been left out of the conversation
have been left out of the conversation
have been left out of the conversation people who have been marginalized people
people who have been marginalized people
people who have been marginalized people of color women people in the LGBTQ
of color women people in the LGBTQ
of color women people in the LGBTQ community people I just saw the slide up
community people I just saw the slide up
community people I just saw the slide up there which threw me off
there which threw me off
there which threw me off not yet people who are poor who haven’t
not yet people who are poor who haven’t
not yet people who are poor who haven’t had access to education all those
had access to education all those
had access to education all those people’s voices have been marginalized
people’s voices have been marginalized
people’s voices have been marginalized and I don’t want to doubt down play the
and I don’t want to doubt down play the
and I don’t want to doubt down play the importance of listening to those voices
importance of listening to those voices
importance of listening to those voices however regardless of your situation
however regardless of your situation
however regardless of your situation it’s super important that you understand
it’s super important that you understand
it’s super important that you understand that your personal experience is a
that your personal experience is a
that your personal experience is a limiting condition it’s limiting
limiting condition it’s limiting
limiting condition it’s limiting condition and what I’m arguing for is
condition and what I’m arguing for is
condition and what I’m arguing for is you have to look at the world in a
you have to look at the world in a
you have to look at the world in a bigger framework you have to see things
bigger framework you have to see things
bigger framework you have to see things more in their broadest scope in their
more in their broadest scope in their
more in their broadest scope in their broadest scope possible now that’s not a
broadest scope possible now that’s not a
broadest scope possible now that’s not a new idea a lot of philosophers have said
new idea a lot of philosophers have said
new idea a lot of philosophers have said that before you want to will your
that before you want to will your
that before you want to will your actions to be universal and when they
actions to be universal and when they
actions to be universal and when they become universal you act on behalf of
become universal you act on behalf of
become universal you act on behalf of everyone in the world and I think that’s
everyone in the world and I think that’s
everyone in the world and I think that’s a fabulous thing now what does that
a fabulous thing now what does that
a fabulous thing now what does that actually look like in human experience
actually look like in human experience
actually look like in human experience well I’m going to take you back to come
well I’m going to take you back to come
well I’m going to take you back to come on there we go I’m going to take you
on there we go I’m going to take you
on there we go I’m going to take you back a long time ago before you were
back a long time ago before you were
back a long time ago before you were born most of you five years before I was
born most of you five years before I was
born most of you five years before I was born to 1954 and imagine the town of
born to 1954 and imagine the town of
born to 1954 and imagine the town of Louisville Kentucky in 1954 and what I
Louisville Kentucky in 1954 and what I
Louisville Kentucky in 1954 and what I want you to imagine in your mind’s eye I
want you to imagine in your mind’s eye I
want you to imagine in your mind’s eye I want to see wants you to see a young boy
want to see wants you to see a young boy
want to see wants you to see a young boy on a red Schwinn bike a beautiful new
on a red Schwinn bike a beautiful new
on a red Schwinn bike a beautiful new red Schwinn bike got it for his birthday
red Schwinn bike got it for his birthday
red Schwinn bike got it for his birthday I think and he was riding it through the
I think and he was riding it through the
I think and he was riding it through the through the streets of Louisville
through the streets of Louisville
through the streets of Louisville Kentucky and he goes to a local
Kentucky and he goes to a local
Kentucky and he goes to a local auditorium where he goes to see a show
auditorium where he goes to see a show
auditorium where he goes to see a show and he foolishly leaves his bike outside
and he foolishly leaves his bike outside
and he foolishly leaves his bike outside the auditorium comes back out after the
the auditorium comes back out after the
the auditorium comes back out after the show
show
show and of course the bike is gone
and of course the bike is gone
and of course the bike is gone and he’s firecracker red he’s hot he’s
and he’s firecracker red he’s hot he’s
and he’s firecracker red he’s hot he’s screaming and yelling I’m gonna whip
screaming and yelling I’m gonna whip
screaming and yelling I’m gonna whip that individual when I catch that young
that individual when I catch that young
that individual when I catch that young person I’m going to I’m going to hit
person I’m going to I’m going to hit
person I’m going to I’m going to hit them I’m going to punch them out
them I’m going to punch them out
them I’m going to punch them out he’s going into hysterics something that
he’s going into hysterics something that
he’s going into hysterics something that would actually serve him later in life
would actually serve him later in life
would actually serve him later in life someone says to him there’s a cop
someone says to him there’s a cop
someone says to him there’s a cop downstairs and about in the basement of
downstairs and about in the basement of
downstairs and about in the basement of the auditorium why don’t you go talk to
the auditorium why don’t you go talk to
the auditorium why don’t you go talk to him he goes downstairs and in the
him he goes downstairs and in the
him he goes downstairs and in the basement of the auditorium is an old
basement of the auditorium is an old
basement of the auditorium is an old police officer his name’s Joe Martin and
police officer his name’s Joe Martin and
police officer his name’s Joe Martin and Joe Martin says what do you want to beat
Joe Martin says what do you want to beat
Joe Martin says what do you want to beat someone up worth they stole my bike he
someone up worth they stole my bike he
someone up worth they stole my bike he says well do you know how to beat people
says well do you know how to beat people
says well do you know how to beat people up smart old cop do you know how to beat
up smart old cop do you know how to beat
up smart old cop do you know how to beat people up yeah I’ll kill him I’ll kill
people up yeah I’ll kill him I’ll kill
people up yeah I’ll kill him I’ll kill him he says well I run a boxing club
him he says well I run a boxing club
him he says well I run a boxing club here why don’t you come to the boxing
here why don’t you come to the boxing
here why don’t you come to the boxing club and we’ll teach you how to fight so
club and we’ll teach you how to fight so
club and we’ll teach you how to fight so the young man the next day shows up at
the young man the next day shows up at
the young man the next day shows up at the boxing club and he starts to box
the boxing club and he starts to box
the boxing club and he starts to box wild frantic angered and then all of a
wild frantic angered and then all of a
wild frantic angered and then all of a sudden he starts to learn starts to
sudden he starts to learn starts to
sudden he starts to learn starts to learn how to box and put his punches
learn how to box and put his punches
learn how to box and put his punches together and it becomes pretty good at
together and it becomes pretty good at
together and it becomes pretty good at it he becomes very good at it in fact he
it he becomes very good at it in fact he
it he becomes very good at it in fact he wins six Golden Glove championships
wins six Golden Glove championships
wins six Golden Glove championships amateur championships in Kentucky and
amateur championships in Kentucky and
amateur championships in Kentucky and he’s good enough to represent the United
he’s good enough to represent the United
he’s good enough to represent the United States at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and
States at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and
States at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and heavyweight division beautiful
heavyweight division beautiful
heavyweight division beautiful transformation of all that anger that
transformation of all that anger that
transformation of all that anger that misplaced anger it gets transformed into
misplaced anger it gets transformed into
misplaced anger it gets transformed into an athletic skill he gets to travel and
an athletic skill he gets to travel and
an athletic skill he gets to travel and see the world I’m down to a minute 58
see the world I’m down to a minute 58
see the world I’m down to a minute 58 woven area he gets to see the world
woven area he gets to see the world
woven area he gets to see the world he becomes a local hero and brings his
he becomes a local hero and brings his
he becomes a local hero and brings his gold medal home to Central High School
gold medal home to Central High School
gold medal home to Central High School in Louisville Kentucky his name is
in Louisville Kentucky his name is
in Louisville Kentucky his name is Cassius Clay
Cassius Clay
Cassius Clay most of people to know who he later
most of people to know who he later
most of people to know who he later became I love that picture because it’s
became I love that picture because it’s
became I love that picture because it’s so joyous everybody in the local
so joyous everybody in the local
so joyous everybody in the local community expressing such joy over his
community expressing such joy over his
community expressing such joy over his accomplishments but there’s another
accomplishments but there’s another
accomplishments but there’s another story to that picture 1960s
story to that picture 1960s
story to that picture 1960s Kentucky he went out with his friends to
Kentucky he went out with his friends to
Kentucky he went out with his friends to celebrate afterward and he was refused
celebrate afterward and he was refused
celebrate afterward and he was refused service because he was black and
service because he was black and
service because he was black and segregation in the United States was
segregation in the United States was
segregation in the United States was still very strong in the Jim Crow laws
still very strong in the Jim Crow laws
still very strong in the Jim Crow laws allowed for Sep supposedly equal but
allowed for Sep supposedly equal but
allowed for Sep supposedly equal but separate public areas like in train
separate public areas like in train
separate public areas like in train stations like in restaurants so upset
stations like in restaurants so upset
stations like in restaurants so upset was he at this so upset was he that he
was he at this so upset was he that he
was he at this so upset was he that he takes it reportedly takes the medal from
takes it reportedly takes the medal from
takes it reportedly takes the medal from around his neck and throws it into the
around his neck and throws it into the
around his neck and throws it into the ohio river starts reading about and
ohio river starts reading about and
ohio river starts reading about and becoming interested in civil rights
becoming interested in civil rights
becoming interested in civil rights issues meets an individual by the name
issues meets an individual by the name
issues meets an individual by the name of Malcolm X maybe the leading civil
of Malcolm X maybe the leading civil
of Malcolm X maybe the leading civil rights advocate in the time in the
rights advocate in the time in the
rights advocate in the time in the United States along with Martin Luther
United States along with Martin Luther
United States along with Martin Luther King and they decide to confirm become
King and they decide to confirm become
King and they decide to confirm become friends to the point where this
friends to the point where this
friends to the point where this individual cassius clay becomes Muhammad
individual cassius clay becomes Muhammad
individual cassius clay becomes Muhammad Ali four years later he becomes the
Ali four years later he becomes the
Ali four years later he becomes the heavyweight championship of the world
heavyweight championship of the world
heavyweight championship of the world declares his being Islamic to the rest
declares his being Islamic to the rest
declares his being Islamic to the rest of America and goes on to be not only a
of America and goes on to be not only a
of America and goes on to be not only a fabulous fighter but probably probably
fabulous fighter but probably probably
fabulous fighter but probably probably the apotheosis of
the apotheosis of
the apotheosis of social justice warrior of the 20th
social justice warrior of the 20th
social justice warrior of the 20th century the apotheosis of a social
century the apotheosis of a social
century the apotheosis of a social justice warrior and that’s why he was so
justice warrior and that’s why he was so
justice warrior and that’s why he was so famous and loved he was loved not only
famous and loved he was loved not only
famous and loved he was loved not only because it was boxing but it was also
because it was boxing but it was also
because it was boxing but it was also loved because of the things that
loved because of the things that
loved because of the things that appealed to he appealed to in a broader
appealed to he appealed to in a broader
appealed to he appealed to in a broader context beyond boxing so some of you
context beyond boxing so some of you
context beyond boxing so some of you might know my father also a professional
might know my father also a professional
might know my father also a professional fighter fought Muhammad Ali twice I’ve
fighter fought Muhammad Ali twice I’ve
fighter fought Muhammad Ali twice I’ve had an opportunity to have an audience
had an opportunity to have an audience
had an opportunity to have an audience with Muhammad Ali and the interesting
with Muhammad Ali and the interesting
with Muhammad Ali and the interesting thing about Ali was that he had mentors
thing about Ali was that he had mentors
thing about Ali was that he had mentors in his life to enlargen and broaden his
in his life to enlargen and broaden his
in his life to enlargen and broaden his perspective they gave him a wider range
perspective they gave him a wider range
perspective they gave him a wider range of thought experience in action I often
of thought experience in action I often
of thought experience in action I often think what I’d love to have been a fly
think what I’d love to have been a fly
think what I’d love to have been a fly on the wall when the young Cassius Lake
on the wall when the young Cassius Lake
on the wall when the young Cassius Lake ain’t clay came into the basement and
ain’t clay came into the basement and
ain’t clay came into the basement and started furiously hitting the bag and
started furiously hitting the bag and
started furiously hitting the bag and the wise old cop got him to settle down
the wise old cop got him to settle down
the wise old cop got him to settle down and transformed
and transformed
and transformed into an athletic skill I would have
into an athletic skill I would have
into an athletic skill I would have loved him in a fly on the wall when
loved him in a fly on the wall when
loved him in a fly on the wall when ollie upset about not being served in
ollie upset about not being served in
ollie upset about not being served in his hometown being a second-class
his hometown being a second-class
his hometown being a second-class citizen in his own hometown after
citizen in his own hometown after
citizen in his own hometown after throwing away his gold medal I would
throwing away his gold medal I would
throwing away his gold medal I would have loved to been a fly on the wall to
have loved to been a fly on the wall to
have loved to been a fly on the wall to listen to Malcolm X talk about the
listen to Malcolm X talk about the
listen to Malcolm X talk about the adjust in justices in the American in
adjust in justices in the American in
adjust in justices in the American in the in American society especially as
the in American society especially as
the in American society especially as they related to minorities that would
they related to minorities that would
they related to minorities that would have been a fabulous thing and to watch
have been a fabulous thing and to watch
have been a fabulous thing and to watch that metamorphosis happen but like my
that metamorphosis happen but like my
that metamorphosis happen but like my father fought with them twice
father fought with them twice
father fought with them twice interestingly the two vicious fights
interestingly the two vicious fights
interestingly the two vicious fights Muhammad called my father the toughest
Muhammad called my father the toughest
Muhammad called my father the toughest man he had ever fought up to that time
man he had ever fought up to that time
man he had ever fought up to that time and they remained friends long after and
and they remained friends long after and
and they remained friends long after and up until Mohammed’s death recently and I
up until Mohammed’s death recently and I
up until Mohammed’s death recently and I always thought the boxing hitting people
always thought the boxing hitting people
always thought the boxing hitting people in the head is a strange way to make
in the head is a strange way to make
in the head is a strange way to make friends but they eventually became
friends but they eventually became
friends but they eventually became friends so what does this have to do
friends so what does this have to do
friends so what does this have to do with me like my father I was trained to
with me like my father I was trained to
with me like my father I was trained to be an athlete and I was pretty good
be an athlete and I was pretty good
be an athlete and I was pretty good athlete in a multitude of sports but
athlete in a multitude of sports but
athlete in a multitude of sports but sport I love most was football and I
sport I love most was football and I
sport I love most was football and I became a football player at Florida
became a football player at Florida
became a football player at Florida State University in fact I was at
State University in fact I was at
State University in fact I was at offered six different scholarship offers
offered six different scholarship offers
offered six different scholarship offers to go to the United States in the 1970s
to go to the United States in the 1970s
to go to the United States in the 1970s that’s pretty that was pretty heady
that’s pretty that was pretty heady
that’s pretty that was pretty heady stuff for a Canadian athlete back then
stuff for a Canadian athlete back then
stuff for a Canadian athlete back then and I chose Florida State University
and I chose Florida State University
and I chose Florida State University where I had a first good first year but
where I had a first good first year but
where I had a first good first year but in the offseason I hurt myself because I
in the offseason I hurt myself because I
in the offseason I hurt myself because I was an overzealous trainer trying to
was an overzealous trainer trying to
was an overzealous trainer trying to live up to the reputation of my dad I
live up to the reputation of my dad I
live up to the reputation of my dad I did I did way too much anyway I hurt my
did I did way too much anyway I hurt my
did I did way too much anyway I hurt my knee in the offseason and it was
knee in the offseason and it was
knee in the offseason and it was misdiagnosed never this was the time
misdiagnosed never this was the time
misdiagnosed never this was the time when there were no MRIs there were no
when there were no MRIs there were no
when there were no MRIs there were no laser surgery and my knee was
laser surgery and my knee was
laser surgery and my knee was misdiagnosed my knee injury was
misdiagnosed my knee injury was
misdiagnosed my knee injury was misdiagnosed and I continued to train on
misdiagnosed and I continued to train on
misdiagnosed and I continued to train on it such the point where I hurt my other
it such the point where I hurt my other
it such the point where I hurt my other knee so upset I left Florida State
knee so upset I left Florida State
knee so upset I left Florida State University enrolled at the University of
University enrolled at the University of
University enrolled at the University of Guelph and a Guelph I was initially
Guelph and a Guelph I was initially
Guelph and a Guelph I was initially depressed because what happened to me my
depressed because what happened to me my
depressed because what happened to me my the particular ization of my identity
the particular ization of my identity
the particular ization of my identity and my experience was I was a failure I
and my experience was I was a failure I
and my experience was I was a failure I was never going to live up to the
was never going to live up to the
was never going to live up to the athletic potential that I thought I had
athletic potential that I thought I had
athletic potential that I thought I had and others thought I had and I was
and others thought I had and I was
and others thought I had and I was pretty depressed for about a year until
pretty depressed for about a year until
pretty depressed for about a year until Monday I walked into a classroom
Monday I walked into a classroom
Monday I walked into a classroom it’s called selected topics in
it’s called selected topics in
it’s called selected topics in philosophy philosophy of education and
philosophy philosophy of education and
philosophy philosophy of education and on the board
on the board
on the board there was a professor I’ll talk about
there was a professor I’ll talk about
there was a professor I’ll talk about him in a minute
him in a minute
him in a minute was this on the board remember the old
was this on the board remember the old
was this on the board remember the old chalkboard this in the nineteenth this
chalkboard this in the nineteenth this
chalkboard this in the nineteenth this is 1979 I think it says to educate is to
is 1979 I think it says to educate is to
is 1979 I think it says to educate is to cause to grow X causes Y to grow if and
cause to grow X causes Y to grow if and
cause to grow X causes Y to grow if and only if and to the extent that it
only if and to the extent that it
only if and to the extent that it enables a more coherently extensive
enables a more coherently extensive
enables a more coherently extensive range of thought experience and action
range of thought experience and action
range of thought experience and action and that hit me like a laser that was my
and that hit me like a laser that was my
and that hit me like a laser that was my metamorphosis moment how could I get out
metamorphosis moment how could I get out
metamorphosis moment how could I get out of my own identity and view the world in
of my own identity and view the world in
of my own identity and view the world in a much broader context
a much broader context
a much broader context well I now had a formula to do it I
well I now had a formula to do it I
well I now had a formula to do it I walked I know I didn’t walk into that
walked I know I didn’t walk into that
walked I know I didn’t walk into that classroom I limped into that classroom
classroom I limped into that classroom
classroom I limped into that classroom and I flew home all the way home the
and I flew home all the way home the
and I flew home all the way home the concept of axiology and value kept
concept of axiology and value kept
concept of axiology and value kept folding into and onto each other I was
folding into and onto each other I was
folding into and onto each other I was going I became extremely excited about
going I became extremely excited about
going I became extremely excited about learning the lexicon I’m talking about
learning the lexicon I’m talking about
learning the lexicon I’m talking about value and it gave my life meaning
value and it gave my life meaning
value and it gave my life meaning talking about meaning talking about
talking about meaning talking about
talking about meaning talking about value gave my life value as the thing I
value gave my life value as the thing I
value gave my life value as the thing I don’t think we do enough with children
don’t think we do enough with children
don’t think we do enough with children today we allude to it kind of but we
today we allude to it kind of but we
today we allude to it kind of but we don’t talk about it in depth and I think
don’t talk about it in depth and I think
don’t talk about it in depth and I think it’s keen critical that we do it just
it’s keen critical that we do it just
it’s keen critical that we do it just oops just as an aside my professor in
oops just as an aside my professor in
oops just as an aside my professor in that course John McMurtry still a
that course John McMurtry still a
that course John McMurtry still a lifelong friend of mine probably the
lifelong friend of mine probably the
lifelong friend of mine probably the leading axial logical scholar in the
leading axial logical scholar in the
leading axial logical scholar in the world no I was lucky enough to strike up
world no I was lucky enough to strike up
world no I was lucky enough to strike up a friendship with him most recently he
a friendship with him most recently he
a friendship with him most recently he wrote the history of philosophy for the
wrote the history of philosophy for the
wrote the history of philosophy for the United Nations for UNESCO a mind I had
United Nations for UNESCO a mind I had
United Nations for UNESCO a mind I had access to that mind he gave me that that
access to that mind he gave me that that
access to that mind he gave me that that confidence to get beyond my own personal
confidence to get beyond my own personal
confidence to get beyond my own personal experience to get out of the angst of my
experience to get out of the angst of my
experience to get out of the angst of my particularization Headey particularized
particularization Headey particularized
particularization Headey particularized me and he gave me a huge value system
me and he gave me a huge value system
me and he gave me a huge value system that i use every day I see things in the
that i use every day I see things in the
that i use every day I see things in the broadest context so I don’t get mired in
broadest context so I don’t get mired in
broadest context so I don’t get mired in the small things in life John is one of
the small things in life John is one of
the small things in life John is one of the Lords of my life I can still talk to
the Lords of my life I can still talk to
the Lords of my life I can still talk to him he’s my mentor I encourage all young
him he’s my mentor I encourage all young
him he’s my mentor I encourage all young people to get a mentor like that someone
people to get a mentor like that someone
people to get a mentor like that someone who has a broader range of thought
who has a broader range of thought
who has a broader range of thought experience of action it’s going to be
experience of action it’s going to be
experience of action it’s going to be keen critical to your develop
keen critical to your develop
keen critical to your develop he saved my life in a lot of ways and I
he saved my life in a lot of ways and I
he saved my life in a lot of ways and I thought and I’m thankful to him I could
thought and I’m thankful to him I could
thought and I’m thankful to him I could talk to him but anything how many people
talk to him but anything how many people
talk to him but anything how many people do you have in life that you can talk to
do you have in life that you can talk to
do you have in life that you can talk to about anything nothing is taboo I’m
about anything nothing is taboo I’m
about anything nothing is taboo I’m lucky to have that in my life what does
lucky to have that in my life what does
lucky to have that in my life what does that mean in my everyday practice to be
that mean in my everyday practice to be
that mean in my everyday practice to be able to look at the world in the
able to look at the world in the
able to look at the world in the broadest scope broadest range of thought
broadest scope broadest range of thought
broadest scope broadest range of thought experience in action to look at the
experience in action to look at the
experience in action to look at the world so that every action I partake in
world so that every action I partake in
world so that every action I partake in should be an action that everyone else
should be an action that everyone else
should be an action that everyone else partakes in well it informs me as an
partakes in well it informs me as an
partakes in well it informs me as an educator because kids love to talk about
educator because kids love to talk about
educator because kids love to talk about values it informs me as a parent because
values it informs me as a parent because
values it informs me as a parent because my kids are increasingly getting used to
my kids are increasingly getting used to
my kids are increasingly getting used to my talking about values as a lover of
my talking about values as a lover of
my talking about values as a lover of life itself it allows me to enjoy things
life itself it allows me to enjoy things
life itself it allows me to enjoy things on a much deeper level but it’s a
on a much deeper level but it’s a
on a much deeper level but it’s a difficult thing to do at times because
difficult thing to do at times because
difficult thing to do at times because people get mired in their own particular
people get mired in their own particular
people get mired in their own particular aesthetic system right and I’ve taught
aesthetic system right and I’ve taught
aesthetic system right and I’ve taught at UTS here which is a high achieving
at UTS here which is a high achieving
at UTS here which is a high achieving school of great kids thoughtful kids but
school of great kids thoughtful kids but
school of great kids thoughtful kids but I’ve taught in four other schools and I
I’ve taught in four other schools and I
I’ve taught in four other schools and I still lay awake at night at 3 a.m. and
still lay awake at night at 3 a.m. and
still lay awake at night at 3 a.m. and that 3 a.m. stillness and I think about
that 3 a.m. stillness and I think about
that 3 a.m. stillness and I think about five students I’m coming into contact at
five students I’m coming into contact at
five students I’m coming into contact at other schools who were murdered and five
other schools who were murdered and five
other schools who were murdered and five students that I have come in contact
students that I have come in contact
students that I have come in contact with either directly or indirectly at
with either directly or indirectly at
with either directly or indirectly at schools who killed someone and I’m
schools who killed someone and I’m
schools who killed someone and I’m convinced that if they had the lexicon
convinced that if they had the lexicon
convinced that if they had the lexicon of value theory and axiology if they
of value theory and axiology if they
of value theory and axiology if they could have thought or learned to a
could have thought or learned to a
could have thought or learned to a thought or learned to even begin to
thought or learned to even begin to
thought or learned to even begin to think outside their own tragic
think outside their own tragic
think outside their own tragic particular particular vision of the
particular particular vision of the
particular particular vision of the world if they could have done that
world if they could have done that
world if they could have done that things might have been very different
things might have been very different
things might have been very different for them even in my own life that’s a
for them even in my own life that’s a
for them even in my own life that’s a picture of myself and my three brothers
picture of myself and my three brothers
picture of myself and my three brothers I am the second from the left at the top
I am the second from the left at the top
I am the second from the left at the top my brother Georgie below is my brother
my brother Georgie below is my brother
my brother Georgie below is my brother Jesse to the right is my brother Steve
Jesse to the right is my brother Steve
Jesse to the right is my brother Steve and they were unable to get beyond the
and they were unable to get beyond the
and they were unable to get beyond the angst of their particularization
angst of their particularization
angst of their particularization all three of them all three of them died
all three of them all three of them died
all three of them all three of them died either directly or indirectly due to
either directly or indirectly due to
either directly or indirectly due to narcotics use they couldn’t do it they
narcotics use they couldn’t do it they
narcotics use they couldn’t do it they didn’t get a chance to go to university
didn’t get a chance to go to university
didn’t get a chance to go to university then get a chance to broaden their
then get a chance to broaden their
then get a chance to broaden their thought experience in action
thought experience in action
thought experience in action my sister Vanessa and I did and we’re
my sister Vanessa and I did and we’re
my sister Vanessa and I did and we’re living testament to how important it is
living testament to how important it is
living testament to how important it is to people I want to thank you very much
to people I want to thank you very much
to people I want to thank you very much for listening to me tonight I really
for listening to me tonight I really
for listening to me tonight I really loved the TEDx forum because what it
loved the TEDx forum because what it
loved the TEDx forum because what it does is it takes analysis and brings
does is it takes analysis and brings
does is it takes analysis and brings people together with them to bring
people together with them to bring
people together with them to bring people together and it connects it to
people together and it connects it to
people together and it connects it to people and that’s really important
people and that’s really important
people and that’s really important because thought unless it’s shared isn’t
because thought unless it’s shared isn’t
because thought unless it’s shared isn’t really knowledge and if you don’t
really knowledge and if you don’t
really knowledge and if you don’t connect it to people it’s not meaningful
connect it to people it’s not meaningful
connect it to people it’s not meaningful I want to thank you love to you all
I want to thank you love to you all
I want to thank you love to you all take care
take care
take care [Applause]
”
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