In a talk filmed in November 2011 at TEDxAsheville, senior editor of science and technology at Time Magazine, Jeffery Kluger discusses the lifelong bond between siblings and the influence those siblings play in our lives. Kluger is an earnest speaker who speaks clearly with a calming, rhythmic voice. He gives an interesting and effective talk, which benefits from repetition and rhythm, but could be improved with a sounder structure and perhaps, a few more practice runs.
Kluger starts by noting how he loves the idea of engagement, and encourages the audience to reengage with family members. The call to action seems somewhat offhand and misplaced, as he has yet to tell us why we should. He officially begins by showing photos of Elliot Roosevelt and Bobby Kennedy and telling each of their stories about their famous siblings and how that affected their lives dramatically, for better or worse.
One of the first things that’s noticeable during Kluger’s talk is his dependence on a substantial stack of flashcards. While the need for flashcards during a 21 minute talk is understandable, it’s a little distracting. He flips through them as his talking points go on, sometimes taking a few seconds to read them. If you can, try to avoid using flashcards during your presentation. If you must have reference notes, attempt to arrange the use of a podium so you can shield the notes from your audience. That alleviates any distraction and lets the audience focus on what you are saying.
Kluger makes a poignant statement at the beginning of the talk, after giving several examples of famous sibling relationships: “Our parents leave us too early. Our spouse and our children come along too late. Our siblings are the only ones who are with us for the entire ride.” In the most basic sense this is true, and then Kluger goes on to assert his main point: “There may be nothing that defines us and forms us more powerfully than our relationship with our brother and sister.” We assume that he will prove this during the talk, but the statement in itself is greatly subjective, which seems to diminish the chance of him proving it one way or another.
Regardless, Kluger goes on to tell a compelling story about himself and his three brothers. Here he begins to use language very effectively. “We were a unit. A loud, messy, brawling, loyal, loving, lasting unit.” It sounds good to use lots of descriptive words. It emphasizes the point you are making, and it forms a much clearer, detailed picture in the mind of the audience. And as always, it’s particularly effective to use personal experience in your presentation. It gives the audience a chance to relate to you.
Kluger continues by comparing how humans and animals both compete with siblings. “Humans are no different than animals. After we’re born we do whatever we can to attract the attention of our parents, determining what our selling points are and marketing them ferociously.” He uses examples to illustrate his point, and appropriately harkens back to his previous reference to the Kennedy family. Kluger starts at an advantage during his talk because everyone, which the exception of only children, can relate to his topic. It’s a beloved discussion, this sibling bond. He does well to play to this, encouraging the audience to think of their place in the family and how it affected their upbringing and life.
With that said, there isn’t much structure to Kluger’s talk. He talks about many facets of the sibling bond, and one point does not inherently link to the next. It may have been more effective for Kluger to stick to our rule of three, and highlight the three most important parts of the sibling bond and disseminate his engaging information that way. The talk is certainly enlightening for those who knew nothing of the intricacies around sibling relationships, but at times it feels like a jumble of information rather than a structured discussion. Perhaps Kluger could have focused on a few of his insights rather than all. It’s important to remember that audiences like structure; people are more likely to remember things organized into three points with a clear organization.
Kluger is quite an amiable speaker, though, and he does well to keep the talk lighthearted and fun. He recieves a good helping of laughs with his wit. Listing off famous satirist last borns from large families, he has photos of Swift, Twain, Voltaire and Colbert, he likens middle borns to “the flyover states,” he calls first borns the first products on the familial assembly line. He’s funny, and as we noted yesterday, spirit is an essential part of presentation. Kluger enjoys his topic, and it shows.
He ends very strongly with a call to action, stressing the importance of siblings. “If relationships are broken and are fixable, fix them. If they work, make them even better. Failing to do so is a little like having a thousand acres of fertile farmland and never planting it. You can always get your food at the supermarket, but think what you’re allowing to lie fallow.”
If that metaphor doesn’t make you want to pick up the phone and call your brother or sister, we don’t know what will. Kudos, Kluger. Just lose the flashcards next time.
