What Does It Mean To Be Human? | Caleb Ocampo | TEDxMeadows School
TEDx Talks·2025-11-24 17:39

Core Argument - The human experience, despite historical and cultural differences, revolves around universal emotions and experiences such as grief, love, and the cycle of life and death [2][5][11] - Understanding the human experience is crucial, especially with the rise of AI and the decline in humanities enrollment, to address the question of "why do we need to be human" [9][10] - The industry suggests a three-step approach to understanding the human experience: observe, reflect, and empathize [14][15][16] Supporting Points - The industry emphasizes that people's brains are fundamentally the same across different eras, suggesting that we can learn from historical records and personal stories [2][5] - The industry highlights the importance of empathy as a skill, not just for therapists, but for everyone to understand and connect with others [7][8][17] - The industry notes the cyclical nature of history, using the example of a mother grieving for her child in the 1760s and expecting the same grief from a mother today [11] Practical Application - The industry advocates for actively listening to and learning from others' experiences to gain knowledge and understanding [14] - The industry encourages critical thinking by reflecting on the experiences and observations of others [15] - The industry promotes empathy as a way to connect with others on a deeper level and understand their emotions [17][18]