Walking Off Implicit Bias | Jiyoon Kim | TEDxYouth@NIS | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their personal experience of being involved in a car accident while on a trip to London. They discuss their initial fear and concern that they may be treated poorly due to being Asian and the association with the coronavirus. However, the speaker emphasizes that despite negative media portrayals, their actual experience was one of kindness and help from strangers. They also explore the concept of positivity bias and how actively focusing on and absorbing positive experiences can shape our perceptions and memories. The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude for the healing process and developing a more critical approach to media consumption.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the speaker's initial thoughts and concerns before their trip to London?

The speaker's phone feed was flooded with violent videos and reports of Asians being assaulted due to the coronavirus, resulting in fear and concern about the possibility of experiencing something similar.

Q: How did the speaker's London experience differ from their initial thoughts and assumptions?

Despite the negative media portrayals, the speaker was overwhelmed by the kindness and help they received from strangers after the car accident. The people who stopped to help them were caring and compassionate, contradicting the speaker's expectations.

Q: What allowed the speaker to have positive memories of their London trip?

The speaker attributes their positive memories to practicing the concept of positivity bias, which involves actively noticing and replaying positive or beneficial experiences in one's mind. By focusing on the compassionate actions of others, the speaker was able to find joy and happiness in their trip.

Q: What does the speaker mean by "positivity bias"?

Positivity bias refers to the tendency of individuals to focus on and remember positive experiences more readily than negative ones. It involves intentionally noticing, replaying, absorbing, and linking positive memories to solidify them in one's mind.

Q: How did the speaker practice positivity bias during their London trip?

The speaker followed the acronym offered by psychologist Rick Hansen: H (having a positive experience), E (extending or enriching it), A (absorbing it), and L (linking the positive with the negative). By actively engaging in these steps, the speaker was able to cultivate positive memories and emotions.

Q: What positive memory did the speaker have while in the ambulance?

The speaker remembers a doctor, who was on her way to a date but canceled it to stay with them for two hours before they left in the ambulance. The details of her appearance, such as her long curly hair, soft-looking scarf, and hazel-colored eyes, are vivid in the speaker's memory.

Q: How did the speaker link the positive with the negative during their London trip?

The speaker acknowledges that their trip began with fear and reservations but also highlights the kindness they experienced after the accident and the joy they felt while exploring the city. By linking both the negative and positive aspects of their experience, the speaker found a sense of balance and gratitude.

Q: What lesson did the speaker learn from their experience with viral videos and media articles?

The speaker became more critical in their consumption of viral videos and media articles, realizing that there are elements of both good and bad in life's experiences. They emphasize the importance of recognizing that media can often exaggerate and that each experience is unique.

Q: How is our brain important in shaping our perceptions and understanding of the world?

The speaker mentions that our brains play a crucial role in keeping us safe, aiding in personal growth, and helping us develop new ways of understanding the world. They emphasize the importance of training the brain to lean towards the positive in order to heal and develop a more balanced perspective.

Q: What is the speaker's takeaway from their London experience?

The speaker expresses gratitude for the healing process and the opportunity to become more critical in their consumption of media. They have learned that there are both positive and negative aspects to all life experiences and advise against using Google Maps while walking.

Takeaways

The speaker's personal experience in London challenges the negative assumptions they had about how they would be treated due to their Asian heritage during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite media portrayals, the speaker encountered kindness and compassion from strangers after a car accident. By practicing positivity bias and actively focusing on positive memories, they were able to reshape their perception and find joy in their trip. This story reminds us of the importance of challenging negative assumptions and seeking out positive experiences, as well as being critical of media narratives. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the power of the human brain to heal and develop a more balanced understanding of the world.