Bilinmeyenin Peşine Düşmek | Buket Uzuner | TEDxBilkent U
13 Sep 2024 (5 days ago)
The Letter 'X' in Turkish
- The letter 'x' is not present in the Turkish alphabet, but it is found in other alphabets like the Azerbaijani and Kurdish languages.
- Despite not being in the Turkish alphabet, the letter 'x' is used in many contexts familiar to Turkish speakers, including in popular culture, brand names like Tesla Model X and SpaceX, and medical terminology like X-ray.
The Significance of "X" in Malcolm X's Name
- Malcolm X, a prominent figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, adopted the surname 'X' to symbolize the loss of his ancestral identity due to the transatlantic slave trade.
Utopian Ideals in Literature and Philosophy
- Two important Utopias in literature and philosophy are Plato's Republic, where philosophers are kings or kings are wise, and Thomas More's Utopia, where the inhabitants live in an egalitarian, peaceful, and classless world.
Sait Faik and the Search for Paradise
- The speaker associates the concept of "a place on the map" with the Turkish author Sait Faik, who found his own paradise on Burgaz Island.
- Sait Faik's short story, "Haritada Bir Nokta" ("A Point on the Map"), published in 1953, evokes the allure of islands and the human desire for a personal paradise.
- Sait Faik believed he could escape the negative aspects of humanity, such as greed and ambition, by finding a utopian place.
- Sait Faik observed a fisherman verbally abusing a poor, non-local man who asked for a fish after helping to clean the fishing boats.
- After witnessing the event and the lack of support from onlookers, Sait Faik felt compelled to write to process his anger and prevent himself from going crazy.
The Power of Connection and Community
- People attend events like TEDx to connect with like-minded individuals and foster a sense of community.
Buket Uzuner: A Pioneer in Travel and STEM
- Buket Uzuner has traveled extensively, potentially being one of the first solo female travelers from Turkey.
- Uzuner aims to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering, drawing from her own experiences receiving scholarships in these fields.