Animals provide us with examples, and hope, that it is possible for the dissimilar to live in harmony. In today’s increasingly polarized climate, many are looking for tangible ways to encourage more meaningful interactions with people who look, believe, and vote differently than they do. In this talk, Dr. Watson explains the concept of Symbiotic Consumption and how it can be used as a first step toward greater civility despite our differences. Amy is a consumer behavior researcher and explores how consumers use the marketplace to influence social interaction. She earned her PhD from the University of Arkansas and is currently an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Oregon State University-Cascades. Between the ages of 8 and 20, she traveled the country singing as part of a sibling trio. The constant exposure to so many different subcultures, lifestyles, and beliefs during her formative years enabled her to learn how to connect with people very different from herself. These experiences are the inspiration for her research as she works to help others learn how to overcome ideological differences with civility. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Being Symbiotic: If Animals Can Do It, Why Can’t We? | Amy Watson | TEDxBend