Hey Siri, Play "Yellow Submarine" | Sophia Li | TEDxShanghai American School Puxi

Cape Cod and the Ocean's Mysteries

• A summer spent in Cape Cod, south of Boston, involved daily experiences on the beach with "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles as a background soundtrack. The area is described as having the most beautiful beaches and oceans, making it worth visiting despite any bad weather. (0s)
• The ocean is portrayed as filled with uncertainties, offering new discoveries each day, such as sea glass, seashells, and various sea creatures. The speaker humorously mentions visiting the Martha's Vineyard "Jaws Bridge," referencing the movie "Jaws." (35s)
• The ocean's beauty is contrasted with its mysterious and largely unexplored depths. Just 200 meters below the surface, the environment changes drastically, leading to the "midnight zone," characterized by extreme conditions. The Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, remains mostly unmapped. (2m23s)

Apples, Complexity, and Hidden Depths

• The concept of pomology, the study of fruit, is introduced as an example of how much there is to learn about seemingly simple things. The speaker was surprised by the complexity of apple cultivation, which is more intricate than it appears. (3m27s)
• Apples are used as a metaphor for hidden complexity, similar to the ocean. The growth of an apple tree from a seed is linked to scientific principles and the dedication of gardeners, symbolizing potential and hard work. (4m14s)
• Beneath the surface of a field lies a complex network of roots and layers of knowledge that are often overlooked because they are not immediately visible or understood. (4m52s)

Embracing Ignorance and Questioning Assumptions

• There is no accusation in not understanding everything; sometimes it is unnecessary to delve deeply into things we do not comprehend. (5m21s)
• Reflecting on the nature of apples and the ocean highlights how quickly people judge based on appearances, often only seeing one side of things and assuming they know the whole story. (6m7s)

Encounter with a Horseshoe Crab and Overcoming Fear

• A personal experience at Cape Cod involved a frightening encounter with a horseshoe crab, which was initially perceived as dangerous but later understood to be harmless, illustrating how fear and ignorance can cloud judgment. (6m39s)
• Horseshoe crabs are more closely related to spiders than crabs, and despite their appearance, they are not harmful, demonstrating that there is often more to a story than initially perceived. (7m37s)

Challenging Beliefs and Seeking Truth

• People often cling to false beliefs rather than confront the truth due to fear of conflicting with their existing beliefs, which hinders understanding and empathy. (8m0s)
• Breaking through misconceptions requires effort and a willingness to question what is already believed and understood. (8m32s)

Life's Layers and the Importance of Curiosity

• Life, like the ocean, is multi-layered, and curiosity and openness are essential to discovering the deeper truths beyond the surface. (8m40s)
• Experiences with an apple tree and a horseshoe crab taught important lessons about fear, ignorance, and discovery, emphasizing that these elements can be beautiful and insightful when time is taken to learn. (8m57s)

Ocean's Wonders and Unexplored Depths

• The speaker describes experiences of exploring the ocean, collecting sea glass and seashells, and encountering various sea creatures, which evoke a sense of wonder and mystery about the ocean's depths. (9m26s)
• The ocean's beauty is highlighted, including its glittering waves, sparkling sea glass, and the intricate designs of sailboats, which attract people to beaches. However, the vast majority of the ocean remains unexplored, with deeper zones like the midnight zone characterized by darkness and extreme conditions. (10m9s)
• The Mariana Trench is mentioned as the deepest part of the ocean, representing 98.2% of the ocean's depth, which remains largely unmapped and unexplored. (11m38s)

Pomology and the Hidden Complexity of Apples

• The concept of pomology, the study of fruit, is introduced, illustrating how much there is to learn about seemingly simple things like apples. This is compared to the ocean, suggesting that both hold more than meets the eye. (12m13s)
• The growth of an apple tree is used as a metaphor for hidden layers of knowledge and effort, emphasizing that while we may appreciate the visible aspects, there is much more beneath the surface that we often overlook. (13m26s)

Concluding Reflections on Curiosity and Knowledge

• The discussion concludes with a reflection on the importance of curiosity and the idea that sometimes it is okay not to fully understand everything, but it is worth considering the deeper layers of knowledge that exist. (14m14s)
• The text discusses the idea of exploring the history and growth of an apple tree, suggesting that understanding the natural landscape can lead to deeper insights and reflections on how quickly people judge based on appearances. (14m22s)

Judging by Appearances and the Horseshoe Crab Encounter

• It highlights the tendency of people to make judgments with limited knowledge, assuming they know the whole story, and shares a personal experience of learning this lesson in a frightening way. (15m11s)
• A personal anecdote is shared about a frightening encounter with a horseshoe crab while playing soccer on the shore, which led to a panic due to ignorance about the creature. (15m22s)
• The text explains that horseshoe crabs are not actually crabs but are more closely related to spiders, and they do not bite or sting, illustrating how fear and ignorance can distort perceptions. (16m20s)

Questioning Beliefs and Embracing Openness

• It emphasizes the importance of questioning beliefs and being open to understanding different perspectives to overcome judgmental attitudes and ignorance. (16m41s)
• The text compares life to the ocean, suggesting that there is much to explore and learn beyond the surface, and stresses the value of curiosity and openness. (17m23s)
• The experience with the apple tree and the horseshoe crab taught important lessons about fear, ignorance, and discovery, showing that these experiences can be beautiful and insightful when approached with a willingness to learn. (17m46s)

Delany Jr. and the Biomedical Value of Horseshoe Crabs

• A specific horseshoe crab, named Delany Jr., is mentioned as living in a lab at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where its unique blue blood is used in the biomedical industry to ensure the sterility of medical equipment and injectable drugs. (18m29s)
• Vaccination and surgery have benefited from the work of Delini J and her friends, highlighting that lessons extend beyond understanding the ocean or nature to include insights about people. (18m53s)

Curiosity, Openness, and Understanding Others

• Approaching people with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to question assumptions can prevent premature judgments and reveal deeper layers within individuals, similar to exploring the ocean's depths. (19m8s)
• By seeing each other for who they truly are, it is possible to bridge divides that separate people, fostering empathy and connectedness in both personal and broader contexts. (19m39s)
• It is important to dismantle misunderstandings and be open to different perspectives, which allows for moving beyond surface-level judgments and getting closer to the truth. (19m56s)
• The invitation is extended to explore beneath the surface, akin to a journey on a "Yellow Submarine," to discover more about the world and each other. (20m20s)