TED: The beauty of what we'll never know | Pico Iyer

The transcript narrates a journey to Mandalay, Myanmar, where the speaker meets a local guide with a degree in mathematics who dreams of being a teacher. Through their interactions, the speaker learns about the challenges of life under a military dictatorship and the deeper meaning of travel. The narrative explores the value of embracing uncertainty and the limitations of knowledge, drawing on insights from figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Dalai Lama, and Daniel Kahneman. The speaker reflects on personal experiences in Japan, emphasizing the importance of wonder and the transformative power of not knowing.

What did the narrator realize about the price quoted by the rickshaw driver?

How did the rickshaw driver describe his life under a military dictatorship?

What was the secret point of travel that the narrator learned?

What does the narrator suggest about the relationship between knowledge and ignorance?

What did the Dalai Lama say that provided reassurance to people?

What lesson does the narrator draw from the story of Adam and Eve?

How does the narrator reflect on their own knowledge after living in Japan for many years?

In what ways does the narrator suggest that knowledge can be dangerous?

What transformation does the narrator believe comes from not being in charge?

What does the narrator imply about the nature of love and crisis?