How doing dumb stuff can actually be useful | Alex Wadelton | TEDxMornington

Summary

In this inspiring talk, Alex Won shares the transformative power of embracing 'dumb' ideas for good causes. He recounts his journey from a stressed advertising executive to a philanthropist, raising millions through quirky fundraisers like plucking hair for donations and attempting a Guinness World Record. His most impactful project, turning a moment of racial abuse into a bronze statue, teaches that listening to the heart, believing in possibilities, and never giving up can lead to profound social change. Won's story is a testament to the power of creativity and resilience in making a difference.

Takeaways

• 😀 The power of doing something seemingly 'dumb' can lead to positive change and personal growth.
• 🏥 A personal encounter with a young girl with brain cancer inspired the speaker to shift his perspective on life and start a charity fundraiser.
• 💡 The charity fundraiser, where the speaker plucked one hair for every dollar donated, raised thousands of dollars and changed his life's direction.
• 🤔 The speaker believes that laughter and helping others can be a form of self-help and a powerful medicine.
• 🎯 The concept of 'dumb' ideas is redefined as calculated intentions that lead to more laughter, learning, and loving life.
• 🌐 The speaker shares three of his 'dumbest' ideas that had a significant positive impact, emphasizing the power of such ideas.
• 🏆 Attempting to break a Guinness World Record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose raised funds and brought laughter to a friend battling cancer.
• 🕺 The Melbourne Shuffle Marathon, a 'dumb' idea during a lockdown, raised over $50,000 for Melbourne's homeless community.
• 🗽 The idea of turning a powerful photo into a bronze statue, despite numerous challenges, resulted in a monument promoting respect and equality.
• ⛈ The unveiling of the Nikki statue was a moment of unity and celebration, even amidst unfavorable weather conditions.
• 💪 The power of 'dumb' is about listening to your heart, believing in possibilities, and never giving up, accessible to anyone with a determined spirit.

Q & A

What was the initial motivation behind Alex Won's charity fundraiser idea involving plucking hair for donations?

Alex Won's motivation was inspired by a late-night encounter at the hospital where he saw a young girl with brain cancer. This encounter made him realize his own self-pity was trivial, and he decided to do something to help others by combining a 'dumb' idea with charity.

How much money did Alex Won raise with his 'One Buck, One Pluck' campaign?

Alex Won raised thousands of dollars through his 'One Buck, One Pluck' campaign.

What was the significance of breaking the world record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose in Alex's life?

Breaking the world record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose was significant for Alex because it was a way to raise money for Marcel's cancer treatment and to bring laughter and a sense of community during a difficult time.

How long did it take Alex to break the world record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose?

It took Alex 50 minutes and 52 seconds to break the world record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose.

What was the outcome of the Melbourne Shuffle Marathon that Alex initiated to help the homeless during the lockdown?

The Melbourne Shuffle Marathon was successful in raising over $50,000 in one day for Melbourne's homeless community.

How long did it take Alex to complete the Melbourne Shuffle Marathon?

It took Alex over 9 hours and 55,000 steps to complete the Melbourne Shuffle Marathon.

What was the third 'dumb' idea that Alex Won pursued, and what was its purpose?

The third 'dumb' idea Alex Won pursued was to create a 10-foot tall bronze statue of indigenous footballer Nikki Winmar, turning an iconic photo into a sculpture to commemorate his stand against racial abuse and promote respect and equality.

What was the weather like on the day of the unveiling of the Nikki Winmar statue?

The weather was initially rainy, with heavy downpours throughout the day, but it stopped raining and the sun came out when Nikki Winmar gave his speech during the unveiling ceremony.

What is the core message Alex Won wants to convey about the 'Power of Dumb'?

The core message Alex Won wants to convey is that the 'Power of Dumb' is not about being unintelligent; it's about being smart enough to listen to your heart, naive enough to believe anything is possible, and brave enough to never give up.

How did Alex Won's ideas benefit the community and individuals involved?

Alex Won's ideas benefited the community and individuals by raising significant funds for various causes, such as cancer treatment and homelessness, and by creating a sense of unity and positivity through shared laughter and support.

What is the connection between the 'dumb' ideas and the concept of laughter being the best medicine?

The connection is that by doing seemingly 'dumb' things with calculated intentions, Alex Won was able to bring laughter and joy to people's lives, which in turn provided emotional support and healing, embodying the idea that laughter is the best medicine.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Embracing the Power of Dumb for Good

Alex Won shares his journey of transforming a self-centered perspective into a mission of charity and laughter. After witnessing a young girl's struggle with cancer, he was inspired to start a fundraising campaign where he plucked a hair for every dollar donated, raising thousands of dollars. This 'dumb' idea led him to leave his stressful job and embrace a life of doing 'dumb' things for a good cause. Alex highlights the importance of laughter as medicine and encourages others to step out of their comfort zones to help others, ultimately helping themselves.

05:01

🏆 The World Record Attempt for Charity

Alex recounts his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose, inspired by a friend diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. His 'dumb' idea was to raise money for her treatment and to make her laugh, showing that even in the face of adversity, humor can be a powerful tool. After 50 minutes and 52 seconds, he succeeded in breaking the record, raising almost $10,000 and bringing smiles to many faces, including that of his friend Marcel, who passed away 18 months later.

10:03

💃 Dancing for Homelessness During Lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne, Alex had a 'dumb' idea to dance a marathon in his living room to raise funds for the homeless. Despite the initial skepticism from friends, he turned the idea into the 'Melbourne Shuffle Marathon' with the help of volunteers. The event lasted over 9 hours, involved 55,000 steps, and raised over $50,000 in one day. It not only provided financial support but also brought joy and a sense of community to those watching the live stream during a challenging time.

🗿 The Statue of Unity and Pride

Alex's final story revolves around his 'dumb' idea to create a 10-foot-tall bronze statue of indigenous footballer Nikki Winmar, who famously stood against racial abuse. Despite having no experience in sculpture, Alex and his friend Aaron Tyler embarked on a crowdfunding campaign that took years of work. The statue, a symbol of strength and pride, was unveiled on a rainy day that miraculously cleared up for the event, bringing together a crowd of thousands in celebration. The statue stands as a testament to the power of unity, respect, and equality.

Keywords

💡Self-pity

Self-pity refers to a feeling of sorrow for oneself due to perceived misfortunes, often leading to a negative view of one's life situation. In the video, Alex felt self-pity due to his son's medical ordeals, but this perspective changed after seeing a girl with brain cancer, making his own troubles seem trivial.

💡Charity Fundraiser

A charity fundraiser is an organized effort to collect donations to support a cause, often involving creative or engaging activities. Alex's idea of plucking a hair for every dollar donated is an example of a charity fundraiser, which he humorously refers to as 'dumb' but is actually a clever way to raise money and awareness for kids with cancer.

💡Laughter

Laughter is the act of expressing amusement or joy, often through vocal sounds or body language. The video emphasizes that laughter is the best medicine, suggesting that humor and light-heartedness can have a positive impact on well-being and can be a powerful tool in difficult situations.

💡World Record

A world record is the best performance or achievement in a particular field, recognized by an authoritative body. Alex's attempt to break the world record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose is a central part of the video, illustrating the power of setting ambitious, even seemingly 'dumb' goals, for a good cause.

💡Homelessness

Homelessness refers to the condition of not having a regular place to live or lacking stable housing. Alex's second 'dumb' idea of dancing a marathon to raise money for the homeless during a lockdown addresses the issue of homelessness and shows how creative actions can support vulnerable populations.

💡Australian Rules Football

Australian Rules Football is a popular sport in Australia, often likened to a religion for its cultural significance. The video mentions this sport as a backdrop for the story of indigenous footballer Nicky Winmar, whose actions against racial abuse are commemorated in a statue, illustrating the sport's role in social issues.

💡Racial Abuse

Racial abuse involves discriminatory or offensive behavior, language, or actions targeted at individuals based on their race or ethnicity. The video recounts the incident where Nicky Winmar was racially abused, highlighting the ongoing struggle against racism and the importance of standing up for equality.

💡Statue

A statue is a three-dimensional form of art, typically representing a person or event. In the video, the statue of Nicky Winmar serves as a powerful symbol of pride, resilience, and the fight against racial discrimination, turning a negative historical event into a positive and educational message.

💡Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is the practice of raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, usually via the internet, to finance a project or cause. Alex and his friend Aaron Tyler used crowdfunding to realize the idea of creating a statue for Nicky Winmar, demonstrating the collective power of many individuals contributing to a shared goal.

💡Respect

Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. The video emphasizes the importance of respect, particularly in the context of racial equality, as exemplified by the statue of Nicky Winmar and the story behind it.

💡Equality

Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. The video's message of equality is encapsulated in the statue of Nicky Winmar, which stands as a reminder of the need for equal treatment and recognition of all individuals, regardless of their race.

Highlights

Alex won shares his journey from a stressed advertising executive to embracing 'dumb' ideas for charity.

A late-night encounter at the hospital inspired Alex to start a charity fundraiser by plucking hairs for donations.

The 'one buck, one pluck' idea raised thousands of dollars and changed Alex's life perspective.

Alex discovered that helping others through laughter is a powerful form of self-help.

He shares three of his 'dumbest' ideas that led to significant charitable outcomes.

Attempting to break the world record for the longest duration touching tongue to nose to support a friend with cancer.

The world record attempt brought laughter and support to Marcel, a friend battling cancer.

Raising almost $10,000 for Marcel's treatment and creating lasting memories through a 'dumb' act.

The Melbourne Shuffle Marathon was created to raise funds for the homeless during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Dancing for over 9 hours, Alex raised over $50,000 for Melbourne's homeless community.

The power of 'dumb' ideas can bring people together and create positive change during challenging times.

Alex's third idea involved turning a powerful image of racial pride into a bronze statue.

The statue of indigenous footballer Nikki Winmar stands as a symbol of respect and equality.

Despite the challenges, the statue's unveiling brought people together in laughter and unity.

The power of 'dumb' is about listening to your heart, believing in possibilities, and never giving up.

Alex encourages everyone to embrace their 'dumb' ideas as they may lead to the smartest decisions.

The speech concludes with a call to action for embracing the power of 'dumb' to create positive impact.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Applause]

good day I'm Alex won and I'm going to

prove to you why doing dumb stuff could

be the smartest thing you ever

do 10 years ago my son sever an a was a

constant medical ordeal me and Ro were

in and out of hospital all the time and

I felt life was so unfair until a late

night encounter at the hospital changed

my perspective I saw a young girl in a

wheelchair with no hair and a 30 30 cm

scar down the side of her head clearly

she had brain cancer and my self-pity

well it felt trivial and in that moment

I had a thought I had a dumb thought

what if I did a kids cancer charity

fundraiser where for every dollar people

donated I plucked one hair out of my

head I told you it was dumb with this

idea one buck one pluck I raised over

thousands and thousands of

dollars looked like a pretty scary

horror movie character and changed the

course of my life

forever because I

realized that by helping others I help

myself I understood that laughter is the

best medicine and I knew that it was

time to step away from my serious day

job as a stressed out advertising

executive and step into the power of

dumb since then I've done lots and lots

of dumb things dumb things that raised

millions of dollars helped hundreds of

thousands of people and uncovered a way

of life I never thought

possible and to prove to you why doing

dumb stuff is so awesome and how anyone

can do it I'm going to tell you about

three of my dumbest ideas cuz when you

do dumb stuff with calculated intentions

you laugh more you learn more and you

love life more all right first dumb

idea a few years ago I was flicking

through my kids Guinness Book of World

Records and I saw some idiot doing

this it's pretty good right this guy

held the world record for longest

duration touching tongue to nose no

kidding his record was 14

minutes my first thought was 14 minutes

I can smash that and my second thought

was what sort of an idiot would break a

world record like that so I forgot about

it until a few months later when my wife

Sheridan's best friend Marcel was

diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in that

moment I had a thought I had had a dumb

thought what if I became the sort of

idiot that would break the Guinness

world record for longest duration

touching tongue to nose raise some money

for Marcel and her treatment but more

importantly make Marcel feel loved by

making her laugh so I decided to lick

cancer for

Marcel and I started training like a lot

probably too much I was training as I

worked I was training as I played and I

was probably even training in my sleep

my iies to my wife

Sheridan and then it came time for the

big day itself the world record attempt

there were cameras rolling there were

witnesses there were timekeepers it was

all happening but most importantly I saw

Marcilla sitting down shaking her head

and laughing at the sheer idiocy I was

about to undertake on her behalf a few

minutes in though and I was struggling

what they call in the game tongue cramp

and so I did what anyone who was trying

to break a very prestigious and storied

world record like longest duration

touching tongue to nose should do I went

Zen to the power of

dumb soon 10 minutes passed then 20 30

40 and finally after 50 minutes and 52

seconds the world record was

mine thank you

it was great we raised almost $10,000 to

Marcel but that wasn't really the point

cuz I saw Marcel sitting there exhausted

but smiling a smile I've never seen so

wide and then she walked toward towards

me and we hugged and she smiled some

more we laughed and I smiled too and I

looked around the room at all the people

who had come along to witness a very

important world record and they were all

smiling too hopefully you're smiling I

keep smiling about it as well who

doesn't want to smile more right and

when she passed away sadly um 18 months

later I went to the funeral and I saw

her family and we hugged and we smiled

together cuz we knew we've done

something very stupid but we'd also done

something very special that we remember

for the rest of our lives That's The

Power of dumb rest in peace

Marcel now on to my second dumb idea

I was a big rer back in the day I used

to go out and dance this move called the

Melbourne Shuffle named after the place

where I grew up called Melbourne does

anyone know the Melbourne Shuffle here

there you go good on you I'll give you a

Cher chup later on so if you don't know

what the Melbourne Shuffle is it might

be easier if I demonstrate it all right

so imagine there's a techno beit going

and there strobe lights area all

right but when Co hit the music stopped

and so the danc

6 million of us in Melbourne were thrown

into the world's longest Co lockdown and

for a lot of people this was a really

really tough

time we couldn't go out couldn't see our

friends we definitely could not dance

and then I started thinking what about

all those people who don't even have a

home to be locked down in what about all

of the homeless people living in

Melbourne in that moment I had a

thought I had a dumb

thought what if I danced a marathon in

my living room and tried to raise some

money for the people experiencing

homelessness in the middle of Co I told

a bunch of friends my idea and they all

thought it was really really really dumb

so I knew I was on to

something and that's how the Melbourne

Shuffle Marathon was born a whole bunch

of Legends volunteered to help me to DJ

for it set up a live stream a dance

floor and bring it to life it's fair to

say that on the day itself it went off

like a frog in a

sock what started is the Melbourne

Shuffle turned into the Melbourne

struggle then into the Melbourne stumble

and finally into the Melbourne collapse

on the floor from absolute exhaustion so

there I am absolutely exhausted it took

me over 9 hours and 55,000 steps

hundreds of people watch watch the live

stream thousands of people donated and

we were able to raise over

$50,000 in one day for Melbourne's

homeless

Community thank

[Applause]

you but more important than raising the

money was seeing all the smiling faces

throughout the day I saw person after

person smiling on the live stream having

the best time some people watched me for

the entire 9 and A4 hours just sitting

there having a drink looking at me which

was quite disturbing but it was also

beautiful cuz they were having a great

time and they had forgotten about the

lockdown for a few hours now on a side

note if you ever want to lose 7 and2

kilos in one night dance a marathon in

your living room that is not medical

advice say you're doctor for advice

anyway now on to my third final and I

think most powerful example of the

awesome power of Dum I'm a massive

Australian Rules football fan where I'm

from in Melbourne it's like a religion a

religion in 1993 though that was sadly

desecrated when indigenous footballer

Nikki gimar was racially abused in a

match by the

crowd he turned on a best on ground

performance and as he walked off though

he was still being racially

abused so he turned to the crowd pulled

up his jumper pointed at the color of

his skin and yelled out I'm Black and

I'm Proud to be

black this image by Melbourne

photographer Wayne lby is an iconic

image in

Australia and in 2018 I knew the 25th

anniversary was coming up in that moment

I had a thought I had a dumb thought

what if I try to turn that photo into a

10 foot tall bronze

statue why was that a dumb idea three

reasons

I knew no sculptors I had no experience

in getting a sculpture made and I had no

idea what to do so I did what anyone

with a dumb idea with grand ambition

should do I asked a mate to help this

mate Aaron Tyler also had no idea what

to do but we had the shear conviction

that it was the right thing to do so we

started a crowdfunding campaign and we

worked on it for free for weeks and then

for months and then for years

and after years of hard work with the

help of Nikki sculpter Louis lman Tanya

hos at the Australian football league

and a whole range of other people we

were able to turn that dumb idea into

this magnificent

reality it's very beautiful now it looks

like it was a beautiful sunny day that

day but I'm here to tell you it was

anything but it was absolutely raining

cats and dogs all day

it rained on the welcome to Country

ceremony it poured on the people giving

speeches and it absolutely bucketed down

on the thousands of people in attendance

for the unveiling but then it came time

for Nikki to give his speech and as he

stood up it stopped raining for the

first time for the day and as he walked

to the Leon the clouds parted and as he

opened his mouth the sun came down for

the first time for the entire day

it was an amazing scene everywhere I

looked people were clapping cheering and

smiling and there was Nikki himself

literally 10t tall and bulletproof

absolutely

beaming what had been a dark day decades

earlier filled with anger and hatred was

now a beautiful sunny day full of

laughter and love the statue of Nikki

will stand for a thousand years or more

and still Nikki will be standing strong

and proud

teaching a country about the need for

respect and equality and now I stand

before you having learned a lot over the

years from the power of Dumb and it can

be boiled down to this the power of dumb

is not actually about being dumb at all

it's about you being smart enough to

listen to your heart it's about you

being naive enough to believe that

anything is possible and it's about

being brave enough to never ever ever

give up up and the great thing is

absolutely any idiot can do it I am

living proof imagine what you someone a

thousand times smarter than me could

achieve if you lent into the power of

dumb so if you have an idea just tapping

you on the back of the head maybe now

it's time to turn to the power of dumb

it just may be the smartest thing you

ever do thank you

[Applause]