An African Einstein

Recently, I watched either an HBO documentary, or a Showtime documentary ( I don't remember which.) that impacted me in a way that I haven't been impacted in a while.

The documentary talked about an organization, TED, (Technology, Entertainment, Design) which, through their conferences, arranges a meeting of the minds.

The organization, once a year, brings together ideas (projects) seeking funding and allows a limited time for approved guests to present their best shot at discussing a proposed project before TED Conference members--a select group of philanthropists and others from a variety of disciplines, occupations, and professions.

TED describes its conferences this way:

"The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes)."

I'm sure you have heard the definition of "luck." It's when opportunity meets preparation.

Well, TED does something similar: it brings preparation to opportunity.

It brings ideas (projects) [preparation] to those with the money to implement them [opportunity].

TED describes the process it uses to determine which projects to fund in a given year: The TED Prize. "[It] is designed to leverage the TED Community's exceptional array of talent and resources. It is awarded annually to three exceptional individuals who each receive $100,000 and, much more important, the granting of "One Wish to Change the World."

This fortuitous meeting has brought several projects to light for the benefit of humanity. You may be surprised to learn that I have a healthy respect for the sciences, although I am almost exclusively involved with metaphysical matters rather than scientific ones.

Having a keen interest in many of the projects sponsored by TED, I'm especially interested in those focused on Africa. The Video presented here about the AIMS project African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), although a rather long presentation, presents a discussion worthy of its length and your patience. The presenter is Neil Turok: 2008 TED Prize wish: An African Einstein.

Don't be surprised if the African Einstein is not a he but a she. Many of AIMS students are young women from all over Africa.

AIMS describes its goals this way:

"Africa's greatest resource is its people. There can be no more effective investment in Africa's future than in education, empowering talented young people to contribute to their countries' development.

"Mathematics underpins most of modern life - information and communication technology, genetics, medicine, finance, demographics and planning. Without mathematical training Africans will be unable to access the full power of new technologies to solve their countries' problems."

Please join me in spreading the word about TED and AIMS. No voice is too weak to speak loudly. It only takes hundreds, thousands, and millions of voices all speaking at the same time, all saying the same thing.