From 80s-era sitcom spoofs of Trekkies (Star Trek fans) at conventions to 2010s articles making fun of teenage girls who love the latest boy band, entertainment fandom has long been a source of jokes and jibes. In fact, these communities have very rarely found themselves on the receiving end of respect that other fandoms (sports, for example) receive, though they all serve the same purpose: bringing human beings together to address chronic loneliness.By speaking openly about entertainment fandom – and feeling culturally safe to do so – fans of books, TV shows, movies, music, anime, manga and more can find one another both online and in the real world – to the benefit of all.Amanda Lien (she/her) is a healthcare content marketing specialist, thought leadership ghostwriter, and a lifelong fangirl. Growing up, she found her closest friends through online fan communities, bonding with others who loved the same books, TV shows, and movies as she did. As an adult, she still geeks out over sci-fi and speculative fiction in all forms – and continues to forge her best and brightest friendships through those fandom connections.When she's not crafting content for others or scrolling on Tumblr, she writes science fiction novels and fanfiction drafts, proving that being a fangirl never gets old. To get away from her desk, she takes ballet and modern dance classes and attends as many concerts as possible. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.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
More from TED
- 12:50Museums must give back what they stole — here’s why | Dorota Blumczynska | TEDxWinnipegWhat does it mean to hold stolen history? Museum CEO Dorota delivers a powerful call for accountability and transformation within the cultural sector. Drawing from her experience at the Manitoba Museum, she exposes the legacy of colonialism that still lives in museum vaults—through artifacts taken without consent, displayed without context, and separated from the communities they belong to.With clarity and conviction, Dorota urges institutions to go beyond symbolic gestures: to return sacred objects, share authority with Indigenous communities, and become true allies in truth and reconciliation. This talk invites us to reimagine museums not as neutral spaces, but as platforms for justice, healing, and co-creation. Dorota Blumczynska, CEO of the Manitoba Museum and Vice-President of the Canadian Museums Association, advocates for museums as spaces of truth, reconciliation, and social justice. She shares her vision for transforming museums to foster healing and understanding. 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
- 15:53How Courage, Curiosity, and Compassion Can Redefine Your Life | Monalisa Saxena | TEDxKIS Pune YouthIn this deeply personal and inspiring TEDx talk, Monalisa Saxena—CEO of Pixights Consulting and COO at Merren—narrates three pivotal life stories that exemplify the power of choosing courage over convention. From breaking academic stereotypes in the ’90s to raise a trailblazing career in communications, to embracing her son’s autism diagnosis with strength and belief, Monalisa speaks about navigating life’s toughest turns with empathy and resilience. Her mantra—“assume competence”—has redefined possibilities not only for her son, who now runs marathons and co-authored an award-winning book, but for countless neurodiverse children. Through her lived experience, Monalisa also sheds light on the silent crisis of women dropping out of the workforce and her mission to build workplaces where empathy meets ambition. A talk that blends vulnerability, humor, and insight—this is a celebration of turning setbacks into wows. Monalisa Saxena is the Chief Operating Officer at Merren and CEO at Pixights Consulting, bringing a rare blend of research depth, entrepreneurial drive, and storytelling finesse to the world of consumer insights. A MICA alumnus and passionate semiotician, she combines data with cultural meaning to decode what truly drives people. With years of experience in decoding consumer behavior, Monalisa is a research buff and mindful entrepreneur who believes in leading with empathy and insight. Whether it’s building scalable research tech or crafting brand narratives, her work bridges logic and emotion—making her a compelling voice at the intersection of business, culture, and innovation. 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
