Ethan Hawke on Creativity

TED Talks: Some of them are great, some of them are like the worst Powerpoint presentations ever. It’s also funny how the speakers almost always feel like the cool guidance counselor trying to rap with the students on “their level.” But there are certainly excellent sessions with presenters delivering insights that truly change the way folks look at life.

One of the best TED Talks in recent years is from Ethan Hawke, which he delivered in August 2020. At a time of lockdowns, tragedy, and intense uncertainty, the writer/director/actor/more talks about why creativity is vital to people and the best ways to approach exploring the artistic sides of one’s life. Parts of this talk have been passed around on social media since the presentation was posted and may be familiar, but the entire speech (which runs only about nine minutes) is full of terrific tidbits worth hearing.

Here’s TED’s summary of Hawke’s discussion:

Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another -- and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. "There is no path till you walk it," he says.

You can find more TED Talks at the organization’s website.