Topic
Psychotherapist Irvin Yalom wrote that a tremendous amount of energy is spent in our lives in the denial of death. I wonder what would happen if we could use this energy for another purpose? What if we could take the energy spent on the fear and anxiety of dying, and use it to improve our own lives and the lives of others?
Bio
Five Questions with Maclean Thiessen
What motivates you?
Creating art in everyday situations.
What do you do for a living, and why?
I am a physician in my last year of residency training in Medical Oncology at the University of Manitoba. I chose medicine, and cancer care specifically, because I enjoy the challenge of finding beauty in difficult situations. The experiences I have had caring for patients, have impacted me in a tremendous and humbling way – keeping me motivated to study, learn and search for ways to do my part in making the world a better place.
What TED talk do you think everybody should watch?
Hans Rosling: New insights on poverty
Why are you excited to speak at TEDxManitoba?
I am excited for so many reasons! Sharing ideas with fellow Manitobans is the biggest one though. I am very excited to see what kind of impact the other speakers will have on my view of the world, and I am excited to see how my idea affects the views of others.
What is your idea worth spreading?
Psychotherapist Irvin Yalom wrote that a tremendous amount of energy is spent in our lives in the denial of death. I wonder what would happen if we could use this energy for another purpose? What if we could take the energy spent on the fear and anxiety of dying, and use it to improve our own lives and the lives of others?
