TED: The power of unconventional thinking | David McWilliams

The speaker discusses the unpredictability of plans, referencing Mike Tyson's quote about plans and punches. He highlights the rapid pace of change and crises, quoting Yeats and Lenin. The speaker contrasts the accurate predictions of poets like Yeats with the failures of economists, emphasizing the value of unconventional thinkers. He critiques traditional education for not recognizing diverse intelligences and explains how confirmation bias leads to groupthink. The Dunning-Kruger effect is illustrated with a humorous story, and the speaker concludes by urging a greater appreciation for poets and artists.

What unexpected change did the speaker face regarding his TED talk schedule?

• He was asked to cancel his talk.

• He was asked to speak in the middle of the event.

• He was asked to speak last instead of first.

• He was asked to speak first instead of last.

According to Vladimir Lenin, what characterizes certain weeks in history?

• Weeks when nothing happens.

• Weeks when decades happen.

• Weeks when years happen.

• Weeks when centuries happen.

What is the main theme of WB Yeats' poem 'The Second Coming' as discussed by the speaker?

• The rise of new leaders.

• The cyclical nature of crises.

• The collapse of empires.

• The inevitability of war.

Why does the speaker believe poets like Yeats were more accurate than economists at predicting future events?

• Economists are not trained to predict the future.

• Poets think unconventionally and see the world differently.

• Poets are more educated than economists.

• Poets have access to secret information.

What does the speaker suggest about traditional education systems?

• They recognize all forms of intelligence.

• They only reward one type of intelligence.

• They are perfect as they are.

• They focus too much on sports.

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect as described by the speaker?

• A tendency to rely on others' opinions.

• A tendency to avoid making decisions.

• A tendency to overestimate one's abilities.

• A tendency to underestimate one's abilities.

How does the speaker relate the Dunning-Kruger effect to the 2008 financial crisis?

• It was ignored by the financial institutions.

• It led to overconfidence among financial experts.

• It caused economists to underestimate the crisis.

• It was a new concept introduced after the crisis.

What does the speaker suggest is a solution to understanding the world more clearly?

• Listening more to economists.

• Listening more to poets and artists.

• Ignoring unconventional thinkers.

• Relying on traditional education.

What does the speaker imply about the role of unconventional thinkers in society?

• They are not needed in critical moments.

• They are often wrong.

• They offer valuable perspectives.

• They should be ignored.

What is the speaker's final message regarding economists and poets?

• Both should be ignored.

• Poets should be trusted more.

• Economists should be trusted more.

• Neither has valuable insights.