TED Monologues

It has happened, one of my worst nightmares became true on a recent flight to Doha. 

Picture this, that moment when you realize there are still 6 hours left on the flight and you have literally seen every single program on the video on demand system. And when I mean everyone its true. That includes that hipster culinary documentary about a certain European city ( spoiler alert please do not watch it before the in-flight meal service or you disappointment will not be curable even with a high dose of Prozac). 

I started panicking and I flipped anxiously through the in-flight magazine trying to discover a missing movie even if it was a tele-film for the glory ( or disgrace) of once a thin TV start now portraying a middle age highly accomplished woman struggling to find love (and stay fit), and struggling with blindness too, as she has this gorgeously attractive much younger and thinner adorable co-worker by her side all alone and she does not realize its her true love till the third commercial break. I wonder whether if it is because they think they are gay or something, because everyone can see from minute one they will end up together.

Coming back to my nightmare I finally accept that I have seen even the latest Disney sign-along kids movie and also watch latest Indian-Tamil romance sneaking into the ipad of the passenger besides me. One true thing is that you don’t need to listen to the movie to understand exactly what is happening, same with the tele-films, it is actually much more entertaining to imagine the dialogues than listening to the real ones.

So yes , I tried everything, talk to the hostesses ( an advice, they travel more than you so they are not interested in you travel life) I even befriend a Russian-Kazantzakis couple or their way to Paris But twenty minutes later I had to face the reality and go back to my cozy economy seat and yes ( I have to confess ) watch the TED talk channel. 

And by TED talk I don't refer to that kind of funny movie ( and not so funny sequel )about a talking teddy bear ( Again I am not referring to a bear-themed gay movie) that I watch for the first time on my way to Dallas and second time on a flight to London (Yes, I measure my life in trip please dont judge , it is already as sad as it sounds) 

At first I thought it was a scy-fy movies , a new version of the typical alien movie where they disguise as humans and they try convert people by giving them TED talks. Then I thought it was maybe a documentary of one of those cult sects like the Davidians in Waco. 

And my third assessment was that It was a stand-up comedy show, a non funny one ( I must confess that with the exception of Seinfeld, I have never understood the concept of stand up comedy )

But not, as it turned out they were real ( real as authentic not as reality TV , please do not confuse both terms) . People actually listening to people that are not trying to sell them the latest smartphone . At first I was impress no one in the audience was actually sexting their friends or taking selfies with the stage, but then I started to listen to the speakers and realize that in the times of Twitter and Fake news the TED talker is the King. 

Lets face it real information and knowledge is not sexy, and requires more than 15 minutes attention spam to comprehend . People if you want to learn please read a book, go to college, ask you parents or watch Sesame Street but please TED talks , really?