How events shape lives and how traditional storytelling falls short | Brooks Brown | TEDxVeniceBeach

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Published 2018-11-06

In a profoundly shocking and thought-provoking talk, Brooks takes us through his life story. He started out unremarkably in Columbine, Colorado having typical boyhood adventures with his buddy Dylan. Until one day as a teenager, in the blink of an eye, his life story was completely transformed. Brooks was surrounded by world wide news story and was forced to make sense out of this nonsensical tragedy. From this, he drew profound insights about how humans find meaning in the symbols and events of their lives. Ultimately, he learned what traditional storytelling techniques can’t tell us about life, and eventually realized what new technologies, such as virtual reality, can now give us. Brooks’ wide-ranging intellect allows regular viewers exciting ideas drawn from Slavoj ZIzek to Jacques Lecomte — all the way through to popular movies including those by his former boss, James Cameron. Finally, Brooks is thrilled to share his latest life event, which he must now integrate into his own story. Which provides a glorious, happy ending to his life’s symbolic order. Brooks’ intelligence shines throughout this unique and unforgettable talk. [Bio intentionally left blank.] This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@leiasart4610 5 years ago

Oh boy, when he casually mentioned "his friend Dylan" the first time. I was a little surprised, but I'm actually kind of glad that it seems like he's at peace with it, as much as he can be.
@blaghmrblafh4348 5 years ago

He looks like a level 42 wizard... lol nah jokes aside, im really happy for this dude.
@dope3618 5 years ago

Wow. Interesting talk. As he gets closer to talking about the tragedy at Columbine, the pain of it all reaches his eyes and his voice. 20 years was so long ago and yet it's not. This is cliche to say, but man.. I can only imagine..
@janelane187 5 years ago

So glad to see Brooks happy and thriving. I can still see pain in him when he talks about Columbine but it sounds like hes been able to move on with his life and not just be that ‘friend of the shooters’. He’s incredibly intelligent and well-spoken, and I am sure he will be an amazing father! All the best man
@patohardoy6224 5 years ago

Damn he changes so much since the Columbine shooting. Almost 20 years...
@Kynos1 4 years ago

Good thing he mended his friendship with Eric before the massacre. Otherwise he wouldn't be standing here.
@gymratstrength 2 years ago

“It doesn’t matter. Brooks I like you now get out of here, and go home!” - Eric Harris
@bartolomeestebanmurillo4459 3 years ago

Poignant how he randomly mentioned his friend Dylan and the tragedy of Columbine as just parts of his life, glad he made peace with it. Also happy he's built a life and a family.
@dogsnskiing656 3 years ago

Happy to see him doing well. Such a well spoken, intelligent man.
@mb2231 4 years ago

love how brooks takes the knowledge from the massacre and using it to better the world. he took the role right after the shooting and ran with it. from telling the media the truth of columbine, from working in media, to today. it’s crazy to see him grow over the passed 20 years become the person he is today. it’s unique that some people involved with columbine refuse to say the shooters names, but to brooks he’s just “my friend, dylan”.big congrats to brooks and his wife for their beautiful child!
@maryahaque9563 5 years ago

So glad that brooks is doing good, he seems like such a smart and well read person.
@multiyapples 3 years ago

I can’t imagine living with the fact that one of your friends committed a notable school schooling. I am glad he’s doing good.
@proudboyz6258 5 years ago

Brooks Brown is a living Gem
@nothanks2333 4 years ago

Brooks youre a living legend, wish you well buddy
@ninfanforever1990 1 year ago

Sending this guy love and light. What a beautiful soul.
@TheLucyblades 3 years ago

Nothing but love and support for this man. He went through a terrible experience and has not stopped using his platform to connect with people and try and stop it happening again. I hope he is at peace. He is a poster man for Things Get Better. He is trying to make the world a better place and we must protect him at all costs.
@aliciajames3510 4 years ago

God Bless Him!! 🙏 I have so much respect for Brooks Brown. He has been through so so much and he is a stronger man through it all. I'm reading his book, " The Truth Behind Death At Columbine". I love it. It really brings into perspective of what he went through with Eric and Dylan. How Eric went bad and Dylan followed. Brooks became the survivor of a horrible tragedy with two friends and lived to tell his story and about what really happened that day. ❤️
@BrookeInProgress 4 years ago

So glad to see that Brooks seems to be doing well! This is such a fascinating concept
@ligealucretia 8 months ago

i think it's great that he hasn't let such a tragic event consume him and he's pursuing some stuff in gaming. it's rlly nice to see him doing well :D his book was an incredible read
@danieldiaz-lebrun7995 4 years ago

I think he suffers from "survivor's guilt."