To Boldly Go - " When was the last time you dared to be bold and courageious?" TedxLinz opened the space for inspirational talks about courage, determination, and believing in your own path by asking this question at the Open Innovation Center.

Organized into four sessions, "Unveiling the Mysterious", "Pushing Boundaries", "Redirecting the Course", and "Call for Action", 14 speakers and performers shared their innovative ideas and touching stories.

TED is short for Technology, Entertainment and Design, and fits in perfectly within the innovative space that the Open Innovation Center, its start-up companies, labs, and industry partners are cultivating at the JKU Linz.
 

"Unveiling the Mysterious"

Neuroscientist Manuela Macedonia (JKU Linz, Senior Scientist) defines courage as believing in your own hypotheses and not letting yourself get rattled. Her groundbreaking research approach reveals of learning is a concept that involves the mind and body in equal measure.

Chemist Wolfgang Schöfberger (JKU Linz, Associate Professor) has been developing innovative technologies at his "Schöfberger Lab" and is addressing the courageous question as to how ""bad" carbon dioxide can be turned into something good: Let's turn this threat into an opportunity!

Taras Weinl ("dreamer", "tinkerer", co-founder) finds courage in new things. His team at GATE Space is developing "everyday" propulsion solutions to power spacecraft. Witfully, he explained to the TedxLinz audience that for him, courage is also about doing something without knowing exactly why.

"Pushing Boundaries"

A sound performance by interdisciplinary artist Crystn Hunt Akron, Plasticphonia, transformed the sounds of plastic waste into disturbingly bold soundscapes, accompanied by visuals depicting her "instruments" that had washed up on the shore.

Pia Gerhofer (software developer, trainer and mentor) introduced participants in the Forum to the art of Arhythmic Thinking. As the only female programmer at meet-ups, she had to be brave enough to co-found "Female Coders".

Gameboy vs. Gossip Girl: Sociolinguist, editor and academic Martina Gaisch discussed the IT stereotypes ingrained in the collective consciousness since the 80s. Her appeal to courageously confront "algorhythmic reflections of society" garnered her a great deal of applause.

Daniela Kranzlmüller is passionate about traveling to the Middle East and immersing herself in social structures. Cautioning against unreflected black-and-white narratives, she conducts research into society and women in Middle Eastern contexts who courageously risk life and limb to become more independent.

"Redirecting the Course"

"Treat others as you like to be treated!" is the essence behind concept photographer Ness Rubey's self-declarative manifesto. Her artistic work is a celebration of a healthy lifestyle and exposing "unhealthy" environmental conditions. "Never bold, but human" has become her motto.

By making a bold statement in opposition to the ecologically, much-debated single-family home, Andrijana Ivanda (architect and founder of the architecture collective "c/o now") and her team have created a remarkable, sustainably built and modularly expandable residential building for a young family.

Body language expert Stefan Verra spoke enthusiastically about subconscious body language signals, and not just to 'read' the opposite sex. He spoke to a very interested TedxLinz crowd about the best way to show interest, and why you should be brave enough to smile.
 

"Call for Action"

Beatrice Krau was always considered by others to be "too" energetic, "too" high-spirited, and "too" loud. Undaunted by these remarks, she instead trusted her own intuition and forged her own path. As a Conscious Dance Instructor, she now encourages others to connect body and mind through movement and dance to thereby realize their full potential.

Alexander Ronacher, developer and visionary, experienced the ups and downs of introducing a high-end product, his Concept Fire Truck. He & his team worked courageously day and night to overcome many obstacles and turn his ground-breaking idea into reality.

Fifteen years ago, Chris Thaller (co-founder, creative lead) unwittingly pulled a plastic bag out of the ocean. He vowed right then and there to do something to stop plastic waste in the ocean and created the "adidas X Parley Run for the Oceans": Bold ideas can make a big impact!

The inspirational event was complemented with refreshments provided by the JKU cafeteria, Brotsüchtig, and sweet treats by Pralinamo; drinks were provided by Gasteiner and Pedacola. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Verena Hörander and Mario Mauracher from the TedxLinz team, our brilliant speakers, and many visitors for making Saturday a true success!