Adonis Diaries

Replies and Responses to TEDxBeirut “Limitation to inspiration” slogan

Three weeks ago, I sent a link to ten speakers at TEDxBeirut, asking for their feedback https://adonis49.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/mostly-a-hoax-from-limitation-to-inspiration-slogan-of-tedxbeirut/.  The first week I received a single reply.  Currently, I have got three more responses.

As promised, I’ll publish the reactions. If you read also the link in the note, you might realize that the late responses were mostly in reaction to the second reactive post “Culture of Contempt...” https://adonis49.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/culture-of-contempt-misplaced-comprehension-of-personal-failure/

(note: I slightly edited responses to fit my style in writing, words in parentheses are mine)

The first to respond promptly was speaker at TEDxBeirut, Ali Jaber. He replied by email: “I very much enjoyed your critical piece. Such critical thinking is required in our Arab World, so we can move ahead. Two thoughts I would like to share with you.

1.  The most oppressive of limitations for the Lebanese expatriates is to realize (achieve) what they aspire to (becoming) abroad, and not in their own country.

2.  Collaboration, listening and turning to others for support, — whether they know you or not — is very important in the creative and liberal process. Creating a collaborative environment around the activities that you endeavor in the land of big egos, increased individualism and egotistical attitudes, is the road less traveled.”

I replied that mankind intelligence evolved because they managed to comprehend the great advantages in trading goods, expertise, and culture…Most of ancient wars were fundamentally meant to “connect by force”, to break barriers: The looting part was merely a catalyst…

Hala Fadel responded with a message on Facebook: “Adonis, thank you for your email via facebook. My email address is halarfadel@gmail.com for future communication. And yes, I feel that I totally fit the slogan: If you listen to my talk, the main point of my story is that I realized we need the right environment to create entrepreneurs. So the limitation is that there was no such environment in the Arab region and that many institutions including the one I started, the MIT Arab Business plan competition, contributed to creating the right environment and now inspires thousands of Arabs to create companies in their region.

I think most of what you picked about me is from my bio, which on purpose does not deliver the message of the TED talk. I feel, from being in contact with many entrepreneurs in this region, every day we have helped them go beyond their limitations and go beyond their aspirations. One of them actually is an Egyptian handicapped person who started a call center in Egypt for handicapped people and for profit.

So yes, you can achieve success whatever challenge you face in life, provided that you are “put in the right environment and you get the viral energy“, which was the message of my talk. I am available to discuss this further if you want, but try to get positive energy from somewhere before, and if you don’t no problem, I have plenty of that and it is contagious! Hala”

My reply to Hala: “you irradiated positive energy: that is why we flock at TEDx events. Journalist Samir Attalah published an article in Al Nahar describing how a blind US citizen of Lebanese origin became a judge…thanks to the proper environment…Read again the article and you might discover that I was not stealing any of your energy…Good work Hala…”

Najat Rizk sent this message on Facebook: “Hi Adonis, please try sending it again: My inbox was full and was out of the country in Benghazi completely disconnected. My email is najat.r@firehorse.me. Thx. I just read your article. I would like to add one comment.  People in modern age are divided in two categories: digital native and digital immigrants. So between generation X and generation Y there’s a big difference.

In Lebanon, the emphasis on the difference between the two is huge. it’s not an excuse to lack of respect but just food for thoughts.”

My reply to Najat: “Thanks for the reply. My article is in my blog adonis49.wordpress.com.  Can you develop further on the two categories of digital people? It might be a good topic for an essay…send reply to adonisbouh@gmail.com”

I am under the impression that war zones attract Najat like magnets. Najat is set for dispaching a more developed answer, and I will glad to re-edit this post, or better, write a special post on this “digital categories”.

Ziad Abi Chaker responded by email: “Actually, your first article inspired a long article/response on my part..but it is still under works. I hope you are not in hurry, coz I like to take my time in such issues and “ferment” them in my mind before I engage in a discussion.  I loved the way you challenged me … but I have recently gotten romantically engaged with someone, so I beg for your understanding that she has priority … Cheers my man…”

I replied that I understand his priority: Pinpoint your strongest passions and go all the way.

I am under the impression that falling in love erase promises of lesser urgency, for long duration.

Note 1: I realized that I should check my messages on Facebook more frequently: My apology for late replies. This habit will change.

Note 2:  If you read this link, you might find out the reasons of the late feedback https://adonis49.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/culture-of-contempt-misplaced-comprehension-of-personal-failure/