Colin StokesIs the director of communications for the non-profit Citizen Schools. Stokes thinks and cares deeply about the media he shares with his two young children.

In his presentation“How Movies Teach Manhood”

Stokes explains that movies play a big role in the influence of children. He discusses how more and more movies play up manly domination and how women are being treated with less and less respect in movies today.

Stokes relates this to his own two children, because they love to dress up as their favorite characters.

Stokes opens by sharing about the Wizard of Oz.

The protagonist, Dorothy, overcomes her obstacles by “making friends”.

Stokes marvels at how such a plot can be so successful.

He never bashes Star Wars, but he looks at it differently. The good guy (male) uses his magic powers to defeat the bad guy and save the princess, who is just waiting around to be saved.

What does that say about women? What message is sent to boys?

The Wizard of Oz is riddled with strong female characters, and they’re just as effective as a male character.

The Bechdel Test

• 1. Are there at least two women?• 2. Do they talk to each other?• 3. About something other than a man?

Stokes was surprised at how many movies fail this simple test.

Out of the 100 top movies of 2011, how many had main female characters and passed the Bechdel Test?

11.

He went on to say that 1 out of every 5 women say that they have been sexually assaulted at one time.

He directly compared that statistic to male domination in movies. “You can get what you want with violence and there’s a woman waiting for you at the finish.”

Stokes uses the 3rd TED commandment well. He reveals his passion by constantly references his

own life and his children.

4/5

Stokes keeps the attention of his audience well with interesting anecdotes and visual reference. His downfall, however, is that the whole presentation is serious. Practicing commandment 8 would have benefited him.

Additionally, I learned the value of telling interesting stories during a speech. It really keeps the audience’s attention.

Stokes and Ken Robinson were very similar because they stood confident and spoke clearly throughout the duration of their speeches. Both told very interesting stories to keep audience attention as well.

Stokes differed from Robinson because his speech was all “business”. Robinson connected with his audience through humor. He wasn’t a stand up comic, but his speech was lighthearted nonetheless. Stoke appealed to dire statistics to make his point.

If I could offer a tip to help everyone on future speeches:

1. If possible, use visual reference.

2. Tell stories.

Image reference

• http://www.ted.com/speakers/colin_stokes.html

• http://laurajul.dk/2013/02/05/ted-talk-colin-stokes-how-movies-teach-manhood/

• http://www.purefit360.com/why-you-need-to-visit-the-wizard-of-oz/

• http://www.startyournovel.com/2012/01/what-can-darth-vader-teach-you-about.html

• http://outcaststudios.com/forums/index.php/topic/12528-dsc-wicked-witch-of-the-west-oz-wednesday-august-8-2012-vol-20-no-47/

• http://my.spill.com/profiles/blog/list?tag=Rises

• http://www.outside-hollywood.com/2012/07/brave-part-ii-story-and-theme/

• http://bigital.com/english/2009/06/sir-ken-robinson-at-risd/

• http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/2011/04/12/if-he-can-do-it-public-speaking-so-can-you/