TEDxAUBG: An Epiphany of Knowledge

This year’s TEDxAUBG conference, “Within Epiphany,” embarked spectators on a journey of intellectual discovery in a variety of fields. The event took place on April 6, 2024, in the Carl Djerassi Theatre.

With nine distinguished speakers, each sharing experiences from their unique sphere, the event presented a mosaic of diverse perspectives. Ranging from the precision of a dentist-gamer to the eloquence of a writer and translator, through music, personal finance, marketing, and much more.

First took to the stage the actress, singer-songwriter, and event manager Sandra Petrova with advice on self-development. Drawing from her extensive experience as an actress, she discussed the challenges of juggling multiple personas, both professionally and personally. She highlighted the burden of playing these roles and the liberation in embracing one’s true self. T

The takeaway was simple: personal growth is about finding and remaining true to oneself. Be open to the possibilities of becoming the person you want to be, without hesitation.

The conference then shifted to the expertise of the entrepreneur and computer science prodigy Dr. Petar Tsankov. He shared his journey from a self-taught coder to a pioneer in AI safety, emphasizing on the fragility of new technologies and their impacts on human lives.

His presentation sought to pave the way for a better understanding of the real threats of AI. Dr. Tsankov highlighted the common fears around AI, such as job displacement or total domination of humans by robotic overlords, as unfounded.

He, instead, focused on the real threats of AI – misinformation and biases within AI’s code. Dr. Tsankov ended his presentation by urging the public to “turn worry into action” and engage actively in the discourse around AI to contribute to making it a safe and beneficial force, both for the present and the future. His message was not one of fear, but rather a sense of responsibility in shaping the AI revolution.

The third and final speaker of the first panel was AUBG psychology professor Matthew Whoolery. As a cultural psychologist and researcher, Prof. Whoolery has studied diverse cultural perspectives on life and happiness across various regions, including India, Ghana, the United States, and the Balkans. During his talk, he highlighted aspects of American psychology and illustrated how Americans tend to expect an easy life, a life of happiness, and minimal anxiety.

“Americans are without question the most independent, autonomous, and disconnected people I have met,” he said.

He proposed that American psychology might benefit from other cultures’ perspectives, which accept suffering as a natural part of being alive and focus on community support during tough times.

Suffering is universal, it’s okay to not be okay. By acknowledging this, people can feel supported in their struggles. This approach could offer a new perspective on mental health, beyond the individualistic view prevalent in American society today.

After the break, Dr. Teodora Karteva, a medical data manager specializing in dental AI captivated the audience. Her presentation provided a unique perspective on the word “play” in view of “side quests” - personal challenges that are enjoyable, yet not necessarily rewarding in a material sense.

She shared some of her own “side quests,” which have taken the form of breakdancing in her 30s, to that speech and the journey she made to get there. Dr. Karteva emphasized that they should not be one-off experiences. They need to be repeated to truly impact our lives. By facing fears like these in a more controlled environment, one gets trained to better face “main objectives” in “real life.” Dr. Karteva urged the audience with the words: “Play. Explore. Be creative. Fail. It’s cool.”

The second speaker from this panel was the contemporary Bulgarian writer and translator Zdravka Evtimova, whose presentation shed light on the importance of education. She argued that everyone possesses a unique talent that can be expanded on only through education. The writer warned the audience against the corruptive power of the “ladybird phenomenon,” where unqualified individuals are placed in positions of power due to allegiance rather than merit.

Zdravka Evtimova shared a personal anecdote about teaching Shakespeare through a play to students who spoke very little English. Eventually, the kids learnt all their words and the play was presented in front of their friends and family giving them something to be proud of. Highlighting the potential in every person to learn and grow only thanks to education.

After the presentation about the importance of education, the audience welcomed Stela Terziyska and Artiom Moroz who displayed stunning skills and passion with a dance performance.

Next, the audience welcomed content creator and advocate for financial literacy Gabriel Naussbaum. In his talk, he tackled the issues of societal discomfort around money. Gabriel highlighted the importance of talking about money with both colleagues and friends or family. He proposed a few steps to help people normalize transparency around money. By following these steps, one can gradually break down the taboo about financial matters and learn to manage their funds effectively and without fear of prejudice. This marked the end of the second panel of discussions.

The first speaker of the third panel was Pauline Roussel who touched upon her inspiring journey through the world of co-working spaces – a concept where individuals or groups work in a shared office space. Pauline emphasized that co-working spaces are not exclusively for “techies or freelancers,” but rather for a diverse range of professionals; from dentists to beauty specialists, filmmakers, and even retirees looking for social engagement.

Pauline and her team’s experience with co-working spaces is extensive, having over 500 spaces in 53 cities including megapolises like New York and Tokyo. As a result, she has seen the transformative power of co-working. She concluded her presentation with some advice about career paths. “If we truly are the masters of our own destinies, you are the one in charge. Get what you want.”

Next to the stage was the esteemed Bulgarian entrepreneur and business consultant Ivelina Atanasova-Genchev. Ivelina shared her insight on entrepreneurship and presented her unique “BRAVO” method as well as some advice for future entrepreneurs. Her presentation went into detail about the method and the concepts that make it up.

Additionally, she highlighted the importance of having a deep brand purpose and a connection to the audience among others. Understanding and connecting with target audiences via the language of archetypes – universal symbols that resonate with everyone despite differences in culture. Ivelina encouraged future entrepreneurs to think creatively and in manners that transcend money.

The conference’s final speaker was senior AUBG student Alexandra Dimitrova. She delved straight into the tender heart of Hispanic culture. In her presentation, she spoke about the collectivist nature of Hispanic festivals like Dia de los Muertos.

Alexandra also addressed the concept of happiness in Hispanic culture. Despite economic hardships commonly found in Hispanic countries, Hispanic societies themselves appear unaffected, ranking high on the U.N.’s World Happiness Report, which Alexandra attributes to their joy and good work-life balance. Alexandra also shared her favorite Hispanic expression, ¡Qué rico!

“The lesson here is to take the time to enjoy life. If you don’t have it, make room for it,” she said.

As the curtains drew to a close, the echoes of "Within Epiphany" linger, inspiring the audience to continue seeking knowledge, fostering connections, and embracing the richness of human experience.

Editor: Vasil Paskov