TED Talks Daily The intangible effects of walls | Alexandra Auer
Apr 3, 2020
Alexandra Auer, an industrial designer known for her TEDxEindhoven talk, explores the profound effects of walls on society. She argues that barriers, both physical and psychological, foster divisions and biases. Auer shares insights from her project investigating the impact of a fence between two schools, revealing how it influences children's perspectives. She emphasizes the importance of dismantling these mental walls to promote understanding and unity, urging us to recognize our shared humanity amidst rising separations.
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Walls and Security
- Physical walls create a sense of security, but not actual safety.
- They foster an "us vs. them" mentality, hindering our ability to see common ground.
Berlin Wall's Legacy
- When the Berlin Wall was built, there was no initial "us vs. them" divide.
- The separation led to distinct identities, and the mental wall persisted even after the physical wall fell.
Mental Walls and Distance
- A 2005 study showed that Germans estimated distances to cities across the former wall as further than they actually were.
- This perception was linked to negative attitudes towards reunification, highlighting the mental wall's persistence.