Heroes we carry with us: Brian Palmer at TEDxUppsalaUniversity

Summary

The speaker shares their deep anxiety and fascination with individuals who display extraordinary courage in the face of danger. They highlight the inspiring stories of Malala Yousafzai, Sophie Scholl, Witold Pilecki, and others who risked their lives for justice and humanity. Through these examples, the speaker reflects on the power of civic courage and the capacity of human beings to shine amidst brutality and indifference, offering a hopeful perspective on our shared potential for greatness.

Takeaways

• 😟 The speaker experiences constant anxiety, worrying about small and large issues alike.
• 🌍 The speaker admires individuals who face monumental challenges and take on great risks, like the lone protester at Tiananmen Square.
• 📚 The speaker has been fascinated by courageous individuals since college and has studied their lives as a social anthropologist.
• 👧 Malala Yousafzai is highlighted as a hero who bravely wrote a blog about life under the Taliban at just 11 years old, despite the danger.
• 🎓 The speaker references teaching a popular course on civic courage and engagement at Harvard, emphasizing the impact of courage.
• 📝 Sophie Scholl, a student who resisted Nazi Germany, is recognized as a symbol of courage, even being voted the greatest German of all time by a younger generation.
• 🏃‍♂️ Courage is contagious, but the speaker warns that some acts of bravery, like those of Witold Pilecki, who voluntarily entered Auschwitz, are extraordinary and rare.
• 🚒 Civic courage often involves going against the flow, like firefighters running into danger during 9/11, or individuals intervening in everyday situations.
• 😲 The speaker shares lighter examples of everyday courage, such as Wesley Autry saving a man on the subway tracks and 'Snack Man' defusing a fight while eating nachos.
• 🌟 The speaker concludes by expressing faith in the enduring capacity for human courage and hope, inspired by the actions of individuals like Malala, Sophie, and Witold.

Q & A

Who is the speaker fascinated by, and why?

The speaker is fascinated by individuals who voluntarily take on gigantic problems, adding great worries to their lives, such as the lone protester in Tiananmen Square or individuals like Malala Yousafzai and Sophie Scholl. These people inspire the speaker because of their courage and willingness to stand up for the common good despite the personal risks.

What did Malala Yousafzai do that made her a hero in the speaker's eyes?

Malala Yousafzai, at the age of 11, agreed to write a blog for the BBC during a time when the Taliban were blowing up girls' schools in the SWAT Valley in Pakistan. She wrote about her daily fears and aspirations, later speaking out publicly against the Taliban's actions. Despite being shot by extremists, she survived and became a global symbol for girls' education and bravery.

What does the speaker admire about Sophie Scholl?

The speaker admires Sophie Scholl for her courage in standing up against Nazi Germany. She and her brother Hans, along with a few friends, distributed pamphlets denouncing the regime, knowing the danger it posed. They were eventually captured by the Gestapo and executed, but Sophie is remembered as one of the greatest Germans of all time for her courage.

How does the speaker describe the impact of altruistic individuals like Malala and Sophie on others?

The speaker believes that when people risk their lives for the common good, they leave a profound impact on others, inspiring deep respect and admiration. Citing psychologist William James, the speaker notes that such individuals are seen as 'born superior' because they have touched 'the mystery of existence.'

What historical event does the speaker refer to when mentioning the lone protester in Tiananmen Square?

The speaker refers to the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China, where a lone protester stood in front of tanks, symbolizing defiance against a brutal military force. The speaker wonders about the bravery of this individual and what must have been going through his mind.

What role does the speaker believe courage plays in everyday life?

The speaker believes that courage can be contagious and transformative, even in everyday situations. Examples like Wesley Autry, who saved a man on New York subway tracks, and 'Snack Man,' who defused a conflict while nonchalantly eating nachos, show that courage can be displayed in ordinary moments and still make a significant impact.

Why does the speaker refer to Civic courage, and how does it relate to the examples mentioned?

The speaker refers to Civic courage as the ability to stand up for what is right, often going against the flow of society. The examples mentioned, like the lone protester, Malala, Sophie Scholl, and Wesley Autry, all display Civic courage by risking their well-being or life for the greater good, often in situations where others would avoid confrontation or danger.

What was Vitołd Pilecki's act of bravery, according to the speaker?

Vitołd Pilecki voluntarily entered Auschwitz during World War II to gather intelligence about the atrocities happening there. He smuggled out messages despite severe brutality and managed to escape after 947 days. After the war, he joined the resistance against Soviet domination in Poland but was captured, tortured, and executed.

How does the speaker reflect on their own experience teaching Civic courage?

The speaker reflects on teaching a course at Harvard about Civic courage and engagement, which attracted over 600 students. The speaker found that courage could inspire students to follow the paths of the guests they interviewed, indicating that courage is almost as contagious as fear.

What overarching message does the speaker leave with regarding humanity's potential for greatness?

The speaker emphasizes that despite the brutality and indifference in the world, humans still have the potential to shine magnificently through acts of courage and compassion. Examples like Malala, Sophie Scholl, and Vitołd Pilecki give the speaker hope that humans can transcend selfishness and inspire others to work for the common good.