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To Be or Not to Be a Salmon: The Price of Critical Thinking | Andres Roemer | TEDxBerkeley


to speak out or to be quiet to stand by

to speak out or to be quiet to stand by or to act to obey or disobey to go with

or to act to obey or disobey to go with

or to act to obey or disobey to go with the flow or to go against it to be a

the flow or to go against it to be a

the flow or to go against it to be a Salman or not to be that’s the question

Salman or not to be that’s the question

Salman or not to be that’s the question and I want to start with a confession

and I want to start with a confession

and I want to start with a confession when I was the Consul General of Mexico

when I was the Consul General of Mexico

when I was the Consul General of Mexico here at San Franciscan Berkeley a very

here at San Franciscan Berkeley a very

here at San Franciscan Berkeley a very dear friend a professor from Berkeley

dear friend a professor from Berkeley

dear friend a professor from Berkeley told me Andres if you really want to

told me Andres if you really want to

told me Andres if you really want to belong to the birth of community you

belong to the birth of community you

belong to the birth of community you have to go to therapy

have to go to therapy

have to go to therapy what everybody goes to therapy you have

what everybody goes to therapy you have

what everybody goes to therapy you have to go to therapy okay

to go to therapy okay

to go to therapy okay after three years of therapy she tells

after three years of therapy she tells

after three years of therapy she tells me and calls me andreas I have to tell

me and calls me andreas I have to tell

me and calls me andreas I have to tell you something terrible what could be so

you something terrible what could be so

you something terrible what could be so terrible after three years of therapy

terrible after three years of therapy

terrible after three years of therapy come to the office I go and she told him

come to the office I go and she told him

come to the office I go and she told him it’s very unethical what I will have to

it’s very unethical what I will have to

it’s very unethical what I will have to tell you but this is important tell me

tell you but this is important tell me

tell you but this is important tell me doctor what I do not understand Spanish

doctor what I do not understand Spanish

doctor what I do not understand Spanish I hope you understand my language and

I hope you understand my language and

I hope you understand my language and that you don’t expect from a blonde

that you don’t expect from a blonde

that you don’t expect from a blonde Mexican person to speak exactly your

Mexican person to speak exactly your

Mexican person to speak exactly your language that’s my point

language that’s my point

language that’s my point how to understand other languages and

how to understand other languages and

how to understand other languages and other cultures and other people and

other cultures and other people and

other cultures and other people and recognize them exactly today six months

recognize them exactly today six months

recognize them exactly today six months ago on October 15 of last year I was

ago on October 15 of last year I was

ago on October 15 of last year I was fired I was fired as ambassador of

fired I was fired as ambassador of

fired I was fired as ambassador of Mexico to UNESCO I was blamed for many

Mexico to UNESCO I was blamed for many

Mexico to UNESCO I was blamed for many things I didn’t do I was used as a

things I didn’t do I was used as a

things I didn’t do I was used as a scapegoat to save the face of many

scapegoat to save the face of many

scapegoat to save the face of many people actually I become the

people actually I become the

people actually I become the shortest-lived ambassador of a UN

shortest-lived ambassador of a UN

shortest-lived ambassador of a UN institution

institution

institution and that was one of the worst days of my

and that was one of the worst days of my

and that was one of the worst days of my life to explain you my experience let me

life to explain you my experience let me

life to explain you my experience let me share it in six at the first start nine

share it in six at the first start nine

share it in six at the first start nine months ago they called me undress would

months ago they called me undress would

months ago they called me undress would you like to become the ambassador of

you like to become the ambassador of

you like to become the ambassador of UNESCO I knew perfectly

UNESCO I knew perfectly

UNESCO I knew perfectly I knew perfectly what UNESCO is about to

I knew perfectly what UNESCO is about to

I knew perfectly what UNESCO is about to achieve peace education through culture

achieve peace education through culture

achieve peace education through culture even more than education through

even more than education through

even more than education through critical thinking because many educated

critical thinking because many educated

critical thinking because many educated people many educated people with PhDs

people many educated people with PhDs

people many educated people with PhDs degrees they still believe that the

degrees they still believe that the

degrees they still believe that the earth is 6,000 years old but worst of

earth is 6,000 years old but worst of

earth is 6,000 years old but worst of all they still are voting and they have

all they still are voting and they have

all they still are voting and they have vote for terrible leaders they have had

vote for terrible leaders they have had

vote for terrible leaders they have had the chance to think

the chance to think

the chance to think but with PhDs degrees they have vote for

but with PhDs degrees they have vote for

but with PhDs degrees they have vote for Hitler or Stalin or Mao but the founder

Hitler or Stalin or Mao but the founder

Hitler or Stalin or Mao but the founder of UNESCO thought even more important

of UNESCO thought even more important

of UNESCO thought even more important and education is critical thinking but I

and education is critical thinking but I

and education is critical thinking but I also knew that if I accept that position

also knew that if I accept that position

also knew that if I accept that position two times per year every April every

two times per year every April every

two times per year every April every October I was going to receiver a

October I was going to receiver a

October I was going to receiver a solution a resolution that do not belong

solution a resolution that do not belong

solution a resolution that do not belong to the mandate of UNESCO a resolution

to the mandate of UNESCO a resolution

to the mandate of UNESCO a resolution between Israel and Palestine and I need

between Israel and Palestine and I need

between Israel and Palestine and I need me to tell you another thing that I knew

me to tell you another thing that I knew

me to tell you another thing that I knew that to the eyes of many people I’m not

that to the eyes of many people I’m not

that to the eyes of many people I’m not only the blonde Mexican guy that speak

only the blonde Mexican guy that speak

only the blonde Mexican guy that speak very strange English I’m also a zoo and

very strange English I’m also a zoo and

very strange English I’m also a zoo and because of that any opinion that I could

because of that any opinion that I could

because of that any opinion that I could give to my government or to some members

give to my government or to some members

give to my government or to some members of it they will say of course nullify

of it they will say of course nullify

of it they will say of course nullify that multiply it by zero he cannot give

that multiply it by zero he cannot give

that multiply it by zero he cannot give an opinion he is part of the problem

an opinion he is part of the problem

an opinion he is part of the problem actually for a part of his family passed

actually for a part of his family passed

actually for a part of his family passed away during the Holocaust how could he

away during the Holocaust how could he

away during the Holocaust how could he be objective it’s a moment to ask your

be objective it’s a moment to ask your

be objective it’s a moment to ask your favor please

favor please

favor please join me close your eyes close your eyes

join me close your eyes close your eyes

join me close your eyes close your eyes and imagine with me something

and imagine with me something

and imagine with me something imagine please that you don’t know who

imagine please that you don’t know who

imagine please that you don’t know who you are do not have any idea if you were

you are do not have any idea if you were

you are do not have any idea if you were born in the United States or in Chile or

born in the United States or in Chile or

born in the United States or in Chile or in China do you know you have any idea

in China do you know you have any idea

in China do you know you have any idea of you’re a Buddhist or an atheist or a

of you’re a Buddhist or an atheist or a

of you’re a Buddhist or an atheist or a secular or a Jew or a Muslim or a

secular or a Jew or a Muslim or a

secular or a Jew or a Muslim or a Christian you’re not have any idea of

Christian you’re not have any idea of

Christian you’re not have any idea of you’re a male or a female

you’re a male or a female

you’re a male or a female do you have any idea about yourself but

do you have any idea about yourself but

do you have any idea about yourself but just one thing do you know you’re a

just one thing do you know you’re a

just one thing do you know you’re a human being and you care about yourself

human being and you care about yourself

human being and you care about yourself but also you care about other human

but also you care about other human

but also you care about other human beings and sentient beings of this and

beings and sentient beings of this and

beings and sentient beings of this and future generation open your eyes

future generation open your eyes

future generation open your eyes that was exactly the state of mind and

that was exactly the state of mind and

that was exactly the state of mind and that’s the state of mind I try to be all

that’s the state of mind I try to be all

that’s the state of mind I try to be all the time to have all the time 24 by

the time to have all the time 24 by

the time to have all the time 24 by seventh second act the day I received

seventh second act the day I received

seventh second act the day I received the resolution it was on my desk

the resolution it was on my desk

the resolution it was on my desk Mexico’s have boarded 12 times before

Mexico’s have boarded 12 times before

Mexico’s have boarded 12 times before always in the same direction against

always in the same direction against

always in the same direction against Israel I read it carefully and I noticed

Israel I read it carefully and I noticed

Israel I read it carefully and I noticed the devil solution I don’t know the

the devil solution I don’t know the

the devil solution I don’t know the other ones but this particular

other ones but this particular

other ones but this particular resolution was a crime against logic

resolution was a crime against logic

resolution was a crime against logic I strongly defend the statement there

I strongly defend the statement there

I strongly defend the statement there are now that didn’t I neglect erased

are now that didn’t I neglect erased

are now that didn’t I neglect erased conceal any Muslim Christian or Jewish

conceal any Muslim Christian or Jewish

conceal any Muslim Christian or Jewish tradition is undermining the integrity

tradition is undermining the integrity

tradition is undermining the integrity of humanity is not one over the other I

see and I declare that they if I

see and I declare that they if I received today a resolution like this

received today a resolution like this

received today a resolution like this one that neglect the Western

one that neglect the Western

one that neglect the Western part of the wall of Israel or the Temple

part of the wall of Israel or the Temple

part of the wall of Israel or the Temple Mount or the christianity cultural

Mount or the christianity cultural

Mount or the christianity cultural heritage like these particular

heritage like these particular

heritage like these particular resolution doors without language if I

resolution doors without language if I

resolution doors without language if I receive exactly something like that from

receive exactly something like that from

receive exactly something like that from Israel and it’s alive sign and only buy

Israel and it’s alive sign and only buy

Israel and it’s alive sign and only buy them that old Palestine czar terrorists

them that old Palestine czar terrorists

them that old Palestine czar terrorists that will never support it it doesn’t

that will never support it it doesn’t

that will never support it it doesn’t matter who tells you that we have to

matter who tells you that we have to

matter who tells you that we have to build a wall if you really want to

build a wall if you really want to

build a wall if you really want to transform society for the better

transform society for the better

transform society for the better it won’t happen through this kind of

it won’t happen through this kind of

it won’t happen through this kind of divisions it won’t happen through walls

divisions it won’t happen through walls

divisions it won’t happen through walls runs through drones

runs through drones

runs through drones it won’t happen through weapons or arms

it won’t happen through weapons or arms

it won’t happen through weapons or arms the only way that it will happen is

the only way that it will happen is

the only way that it will happen is through a critical mind a mind that

through a critical mind a mind that

through a critical mind a mind that challenged the static war that question

challenged the static war that question

challenged the static war that question itself that doesn’t believe everything

itself that doesn’t believe everything

itself that doesn’t believe everything the things that is not afraid of

the things that is not afraid of

the things that is not afraid of dangerous ideas that actually does not

dangerous ideas that actually does not

dangerous ideas that actually does not fear to go against it flow

I try to call a lot of members of the

I try to call a lot of members of the Mexican government I also talked with

Mexican government I also talked with

Mexican government I also talked with members of the Mexican Jewish community

members of the Mexican Jewish community

members of the Mexican Jewish community and the Palestine and when I told them

and the Palestine and when I told them

and the Palestine and when I told them I’m not the ambassador of any community

I’m not the ambassador of any community

I’m not the ambassador of any community and ambassador of Mexico but but please

and ambassador of Mexico but but please

and ambassador of Mexico but but please this is not correct many of them

this is not correct many of them

this is not correct many of them answered most of them didn’t I swear

answered most of them didn’t I swear

answered most of them didn’t I swear under the constitution of Mexico through

under the constitution of Mexico through

under the constitution of Mexico through the Senate that my responsibilities to

the Senate that my responsibilities to

the Senate that my responsibilities to defend the Constitution and to follow

defend the Constitution and to follow

defend the Constitution and to follow the orders of the government of course

the orders of the government of course

the orders of the government of course we’re not talking about a resolution

we’re not talking about a resolution

we’re not talking about a resolution that you follow the orders and you kill

that you follow the orders and you kill

that you follow the orders and you kill someone I knew that digital solution it

someone I knew that digital solution it

someone I knew that digital solution it was going to happen to me two times per

was going to happen to me two times per

was going to happen to me two times per year and that if I could not change it

year and that if I could not change it

year and that if I could not change it and convince my government at that

and convince my government at that

and convince my government at that moment prove I could do it later but

moment prove I could do it later but

moment prove I could do it later but that I was going to do the best to the

that I was going to do the best to the

that I was going to do the best to the way to that moment one day I received a

way to that moment one day I received a

way to that moment one day I received a call I was up for a very important

call I was up for a very important

call I was up for a very important member of the government and she tells

member of the government and she tells

member of the government and she tells me Andres president Pena Nieto the

me Andres president Pena Nieto the

me Andres president Pena Nieto the President of Mexico is now in Israel

President of Mexico is now in Israel

President of Mexico is now in Israel he’s offering a his condolences to

he’s offering a his condolences to

he’s offering a his condolences to Shimon Peres because he passed away we

Shimon Peres because he passed away we

Shimon Peres because he passed away we want information about the resolution I

want information about the resolution I

want information about the resolution I say yes they are listening to me I

say yes they are listening to me I

say yes they are listening to me I explained them

explained them

explained them I gave me I gave them all what I thought

I gave me I gave them all what I thought

I gave me I gave them all what I thought about it I told him that Mexico beyond

about it I told him that Mexico beyond

about it I told him that Mexico beyond any geopolitical convenience to stand

any geopolitical convenience to stand

any geopolitical convenience to stand for the idea that any kind of racism

for the idea that any kind of racism

for the idea that any kind of racism xenophobia

xenophobia

xenophobia discrimination or violence in any kind

discrimination or violence in any kind

discrimination or violence in any kind of mandate of UNESCO shouldn’t be

of mandate of UNESCO shouldn’t be

of mandate of UNESCO shouldn’t be supported third act the day of the vote

supported third act the day of the vote

supported third act the day of the vote I never receive an answer the

I never receive an answer the

I never receive an answer the instruction was pretty clear for the

instruction was pretty clear for the

instruction was pretty clear for the 12th time Mexico have to vote exactly

12th time Mexico have to vote exactly

12th time Mexico have to vote exactly the same way on the one hand were 58

the same way on the one hand were 58

the same way on the one hand were 58 countries in the conference room of 195

countries in the conference room of 195

countries in the conference room of 195 who just vote Mexico is one of them

who just vote Mexico is one of them

who just vote Mexico is one of them and I thought I will give a speech I

and I thought I will give a speech I

and I thought I will give a speech I want to tell to the people why UNESCO is

want to tell to the people why UNESCO is

want to tell to the people why UNESCO is having a crisis but not a financial one

having a crisis but not a financial one

having a crisis but not a financial one like we think is an identity crisis

like we think is an identity crisis

like we think is an identity crisis because this is not the Mandate of

because this is not the Mandate of

because this is not the Mandate of UNESCO but I was unable to give my talk

UNESCO but I was unable to give my talk

UNESCO but I was unable to give my talk why because Morocco presented a Jordan

why because Morocco presented a Jordan

why because Morocco presented a Jordan and Palestine resolution because

and Palestine resolution because

and Palestine resolution because Palestine and Jordan are not members of

Palestine and Jordan are not members of

Palestine and Jordan are not members of these 50 age groups

these 50 age groups

these 50 age groups neither is Israel and they say today we

neither is Israel and they say today we

neither is Israel and they say today we don’t want a debate just string goes

don’t want a debate just string goes

don’t want a debate just string goes directly to the vault well it’s by

directly to the vault well it’s by

directly to the vault well it’s by alphabetical order we were in cave

alphabetical order we were in cave

alphabetical order we were in cave kuwait kuwait yes or no support or not

kuwait kuwait yes or no support or not

kuwait kuwait yes or no support or not support at that moment i said i have to

support at that moment i said i have to

support at that moment i said i have to vote like the governor mexico i have to

vote like the governor mexico i have to

vote like the governor mexico i have to follow it but on the other hand i cannot

follow it but on the other hand i cannot

follow it but on the other hand i cannot so I told susana Franco great

so I told susana Franco great

so I told susana Franco great professional employee please take my

professional employee please take my

professional employee please take my seat that moment one second before aim

seat that moment one second before aim

seat that moment one second before aim of Mexico I stood up everybody saw it I

of Mexico I stood up everybody saw it I

of Mexico I stood up everybody saw it I walk I open the door of the conference

walk I open the door of the conference

walk I open the door of the conference room I hear it and that was the last

room I hear it and that was the last

room I hear it and that was the last time I went to the

for fact that day I started living to

for fact that day I started living to world hell and i pirkled and a I receive

world hell and i pirkled and a I receive

world hell and i pirkled and a I receive as very strange call a friend of a very

as very strange call a friend of a very

as very strange call a friend of a very important position tells me Andres were

important position tells me Andres were

important position tells me Andres were very surprised why the President of

very surprised why the President of

very surprised why the President of Mexico when he was in Israel he gave the

Mexico when he was in Israel he gave the

Mexico when he was in Israel he gave the instructions to change the boat and

instructions to change the boat and

instructions to change the boat and nobody told you say what yes

nobody told you say what yes

nobody told you say what yes the day I went to Lake a fail a

the day I went to Lake a fail a

the day I went to Lake a fail a demagogue with a lot of ambassadors and

demagogue with a lot of ambassadors and

demagogue with a lot of ambassadors and I told him I will resign I cannot work

I told him I will resign I cannot work

I told him I will resign I cannot work in a place if they don’t follow

in a place if they don’t follow

in a place if they don’t follow instructions are present and they don’t

instructions are present and they don’t

instructions are present and they don’t tell me but worse than that tweet and

tell me but worse than that tweet and

tell me but worse than that tweet and tweets start going against me hey to it

tweets start going against me hey to it

tweets start going against me hey to it some members of the Jewish community

some members of the Jewish community

some members of the Jewish community know and they understood that I stood up

know and they understood that I stood up

know and they understood that I stood up also that I work for the Mexican

also that I work for the Mexican

also that I work for the Mexican government on the other hand the Mexican

government on the other hand the Mexican

government on the other hand the Mexican government of course they were not happy

government of course they were not happy

government of course they were not happy that I stood up and when they become a

that I stood up and when they become a

that I stood up and when they become a word that they forgot to follow the

word that they forgot to follow the

word that they forgot to follow the instructions of the president they bled

instructions of the president they bled

instructions of the president they bled to me and they start putting on the

to me and they start putting on the

to me and they start putting on the newspaper I have to leak information to

newspaper I have to leak information to

newspaper I have to leak information to show them that I follow the instructions

show them that I follow the instructions

show them that I follow the instructions but that I was against them and all the

but that I was against them and all the

but that I was against them and all the information that I all the times in to

information that I all the times in to

information that I all the times in to them of course not members of the Worman

them of course not members of the Worman

them of course not members of the Worman were like that but it was enough to be

were like that but it was enough to be

were like that but it was enough to be called next Monday October 15 a day like

called next Monday October 15 a day like

called next Monday October 15 a day like today six months ago and they told me

today six months ago and they told me

today six months ago and they told me for fired

today where am I besides of being a

today where am I besides of being a little bit unemployed so if somebody no

little bit unemployed so if somebody no

little bit unemployed so if somebody no I’m just kidding hey seriously today

I’m just kidding hey seriously today

I’m just kidding hey seriously today things have chopped have happened for

things have chopped have happened for

things have chopped have happened for good in a way first of all a lot of

good in a way first of all a lot of

good in a way first of all a lot of countries call me and told me Andres we

countries call me and told me Andres we

countries call me and told me Andres we will evaluate the way we vote we

will evaluate the way we vote we

will evaluate the way we vote we shouldn’t just vote for inertia or

shouldn’t just vote for inertia or

shouldn’t just vote for inertia or because it’s a political correct thing

because it’s a political correct thing

because it’s a political correct thing to do then like eight other countries

to do then like eight other countries

to do then like eight other countries super me to run as the general director

super me to run as the general director

super me to run as the general director of UNESCO the new Minister of Foreign

of UNESCO the new Minister of Foreign

of UNESCO the new Minister of Foreign Relations who is a very brilliant guy

Relations who is a very brilliant guy

Relations who is a very brilliant guy told me that is that’s a great idea is

told me that is that’s a great idea is

told me that is that’s a great idea is not the best moment why because now with

not the best moment why because now with

not the best moment why because now with an northern situation that we’re living

an northern situation that we’re living

an northern situation that we’re living between Mexico United States all our

between Mexico United States all our

between Mexico United States all our resources should be devoted to this then

resources should be devoted to this then

resources should be devoted to this then the general director of UNESCO Irina

the general director of UNESCO Irina

the general director of UNESCO Irina Bokova who is a very deep thinker person

Bokova who is a very deep thinker person

Bokova who is a very deep thinker person she invited me an offer me to be to have

she invited me an offer me to be to have

she invited me an offer me to be to have an honorary ambassador Shippuden ESCO

an honorary ambassador Shippuden ESCO

an honorary ambassador Shippuden ESCO about critical thinking and to avoid

about critical thinking and to avoid

about critical thinking and to avoid genocide and extreme violence in the

genocide and extreme violence in the

genocide and extreme violence in the future that’s not it

future that’s not it

future that’s not it Mexico rectified vote three days later

Mexico rectified vote three days later

Mexico rectified vote three days later it not only because of me of course if

it not only because of me of course if

it not only because of me of course if we really want to change things it’s

we really want to change things it’s

we really want to change things it’s much more than one break the lesson that

much more than one break the lesson that

much more than one break the lesson that I have for you and for me and for

I have for you and for me and for

I have for you and for me and for everybody I hope I could share this idea

this is not about make America great

this is not about make America great again or China first or Mexico bow of

again or China first or Mexico bow of

again or China first or Mexico bow of everybody or one temple above another

everybody or one temple above another

everybody or one temple above another temple he really is really about

temple he really is really about

temple he really is really about humanity the whole world in any corner

humanity the whole world in any corner

humanity the whole world in any corner it’s about everybody it’s not to make

it’s about everybody it’s not to make

it’s about everybody it’s not to make humanity great again but it’s to make

humanity great again but it’s to make

humanity great again but it’s to make humanity and humans prosper

humanity and humans prosper

humanity and humans prosper inclusive all the time everywhere so

inclusive all the time everywhere so

inclusive all the time everywhere so next time if you face and you have to

next time if you face and you have to

next time if you face and you have to answer the question that it could happen

answer the question that it could happen

answer the question that it could happen to you like to move many times over and

to you like to move many times over and

to you like to move many times over and over again remember that the way you

over again remember that the way you

over again remember that the way you answer it the way you answer it will

answer it the way you answer it will

answer it the way you answer it will make the legacy of yourself so to speak

make the legacy of yourself so to speak

make the legacy of yourself so to speak out or to be quiet to stand by or to act

to obey or disobey to go with the flow

to obey or disobey to go with the flow or against it to be or not to be a son

or against it to be or not to be a son

or against it to be or not to be a son if you be if you do the cost could be

if you be if you do the cost could be

if you be if you do the cost could be pretty high

pretty high

pretty high one employee security to reputation your

one employee security to reputation your

one employee security to reputation your relations your future

relations your future

relations your future in extreme cases even your life but if

in extreme cases even your life but if

in extreme cases even your life but if you don’t probably the price is that

you don’t probably the price is that

you don’t probably the price is that this world will never change

this world will never change

this world will never change thank you very much

”

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