TEDxConcordiaUPortland - Anis Mojgani - Equal Parts Science and Magic

You might not believe it, but Anis Mogjani has never been to a barber shop. And he has really long arms. Oh yeah, and he's also a two time National Poetry Slam Champion, winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam, and a National Book Award Nominee along with various other extraordinary accomplishments. He is a talented and creative artist, who has long been fascinated with the extraordinary process of being human. Everyone, he believes, is "invested with nobility," and this is an idea that he constantly carries with him. His beliefs shape him, and he says that his parents helped shape his beliefs. They gave him, as he says, "The permission to be oneself, acceptance of who one is." If he were able to harness the power of our 2012 attendees, he says he'd want to send everyone out into the world with homemade inventions to make the world a better and more interesting place. One invention he'd like to see? Levitating shoes. He'd love to own a pair someday. He'd also like to open a bookstore, start a soda pop shop with his wife, and establish "an organization that brought to fruition the creative wanderings of people that do not liken themselves to being creative individuals." We should probably mention—it might already be clear—that he doesn't believe there's ever one place that we arrive at; there's no end point, so there's no opportunity to rest on one's laurels. His goal in life is to simply continue, something that he says is actually quite difficult. Continuing takes patience and it's often a process of balancing being selfish and selfless. We're excited to see him continue on the TEDxConcordiaUPortland stage, where his slam talents and creativity will be welcomed with open arms.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)