TED Global Idea Search: The Winner Is...
After 6 months, we finally know who's won a spot on the main stage.
Me and my big mouth.
When I was little I always rose my hand to speak up in class, always volunteered to present at the recital, always was picked to represent my group in class assignment presentations. My abundant assertiveness has opened lots of doors in my life… including one that I can finally announce.
Six months ago, I was blessed to speak at TEDxChicago as part of TED Global Idea Search. 90 speakers — ten each from nine TEDx events around the world — would compete for a trip to TED 2026 in Vancouver. Each event would choose one winner not just to attend, but to give their talk on the main stage. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to step onto The Big Red Dot and connect with millions around the world.
And so it was during a summer vacation, trying to shake off the stress of my new life in Chicago, that I recorded a video application for the Idea Search. I focused it around what I learned from playing a news anchor, Dwight Richmond, on the Onion News Network. (YouTube playlist) Out of hundreds of applicants, I was selected to be one of the ten contestants at TEDxChicago’s Idea Search competition.
After I pitched my talk it evolved a lot, becoming something I was extremely proud to present. The subject: how to deal with people you despise. Definitely a relevant topic, now and always!
My parents flew up from South Florida to watch my presentation, which made me proud. I knew there was no way to control the outcome — the judges could be looking for a polished speaker, a groundbreaking innovation, a viral moment or a cute kid. I had no way to predict what would decide the winner. All I could do was try to help: to say something useful and productive. Then it would be up to the judges from TED, guided partly by audience reactions, to choose a winner.
And the winner is… well, click this video. It’ll start right at “the reveal”.
Since I last wrote to you, a lot has changed:
I’ve left my job at The University of Chicago to resume independent work.
Every day I’ve been vibe coding an app: a debate game called The Resolution. Lots of us need help dealing with our adversaries intelligently and nonviolently. The Resolution is my effort to help.
I’m also getting my public speaking business going, offering keynotes and workshops to help people connect across their differences.
That means some things have had to give way to my current work.
The Night Light is going… well, dark. This Substack is remaining idled; I won’t be updating it anymore. Thank you for supporting The Night Light — what I learned from this project has made a huge difference in building my new endeavor.
I encourage you to follow me on social media @JoshuaListening. Check out my new project at theresolutiongame.com — it also has an email newsletter, which I’ll begin publishing soon.
And if you like a good game night, get some friends together and play The Resolution in its very rough, hopefully-not-too-buggy form at app.theresolutiongame.com. The topic can be anything you like, and I’ve programmed an AI agent to help you refine your topic with guidance from me. Email me your reactions to the game, or report any problems, at joshua@theresolutiongame.com.
And if you happen to be going to TED 2026, let me know! I’d love to say hello in Vancouver. Who knows where my big mouth will take me next?
Regardless, I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
So very awesome and well deserved!!! 🥰
Congratulations!!! 🎉 I have full confidence you’ll do swimmingly! Thank you for all you have contributed and will continue to contribute! I look forward to checking out the game & whatever ideas you have coming up the pipeline!