Li Shimer TED Talk EnglishGood morning My name is Eric Li and I was born here But no I wasn’t born there This was where I was born Shanghai at the height of the Cultural Revolution My grandmother tell

compelling, just as all-encompassing, but it was different. It was the story of democracy, of freedom, of individual rights, and of the American dream. It was the story of the West, of modernity, of progress, and of the end of history. It was the meta-narrative that had replaced communism as the dominant ideology of the world. And once again, I bought it. I became an American citizen, and I believed in the story of American exceptionalism.

But then, as I grew older and traveled the world, I realized that both of these stories were just that – stories. They were grand narratives that claimed to explain everything about the world, but they were incomplete, flawed, and often false. They were stories that were used to justify power, to manipulate people, and to maintain the status quo. They were stories that divided people, that created conflicts, that led to wars, and that perpetuated injustice.

And so, I began to question these stories, to deconstruct them, to challenge them, and to search for a new narrative that was more inclusive, more diverse, more complex, and more truthful. I realized that the world was not a simple place, that there were many different cultures, values, beliefs, and interests, and that these could not be reduced to a single story. I realized that the world was not static, that history was not over, and that the future was not predetermined. I realized that there were many possible futures, many possible paths, and many possible stories.

And so, I began to imagine a new story, a story that would embrace the diversity of humanity, that would celebrate the richness of our differences, that would recognize the complexity of our world, and that would inspire us to create a better future together. A story that would be based on principles of mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual benefit. A story that would be based on the recognition of our shared humanity, our shared challenges, and our shared destiny.

This new story is not yet fully formed, and it may never be. But it is a story that is worth pursuing, worth exploring, and worth sharing. It is a story that requires us to listen to each other, to learn from each other, and to collaborate with each other. It is a story that requires us to be humble, curious, and open-minded. It is a story that requires us to be brave, creative, and visionary.

So, let us imagine a new story, a story of hope, of compassion, of solidarity, and of progress. Let us imagine a story that transcends the narrow boundaries of ideology, ethnicity, and nationality. Let us imagine a story that unites us, that inspires us, and that empowers us. Let us imagine a story that is worthy of humanity. Thank you