It’s one thing to survive a life-threatening illness, it’s another to thrive thereafter; mesmerising audiences around the world as a Keynote Speaker, DJ, and quadruple amputee like it’s nobody’s business. Then again, failure has never been Tom Nash’s favourite F-word.
A taste for disruptive ideas, and a generous pour of Bordeaux are recommended accompaniments for experiencing the full flavour of Tom’s thought-provoking perspectives; the power of pragmatism, separation of ‘life-noise’, and the necessity for self-reflection. Tom allows no excuse for mediocrity, and no apology for adversity.
Tom’s penchant for captivating storytelling, alongside his dark sense of humour and his razor-sharp wit are melted down into ideas for life that leave audiences truly grounded, and unequivocally hooked.
Talking Points
The Perks of Being a Pirate
Outlining the way that adversity can be used to one’s advantage, The Perks of Being a Pirate pulls back the curtain on how people can exploit their shortcomings to play to their own strengths and use lateral thinking methods to overcome challenges with aplomb. One may never think of hardship in the same way again after considering this fresh mindset.
The Perks of Being a Pirate
Problem Solving, Lateral Thinking and Growing from Adversity
What do a Global Pandemic and the loss of all four limbs have in common? In his light-hearted yet captivating take on adversity and pragmatism, Tom Nash elucidates the links between being forced to think differently to solve problems, and the lateral thinking methods involved in overcoming challenges.Problem Solving, Lateral Thinking and Growing from Adversity
From overcoming the roadblocks of Path Dependency and Defensive Decision Making, to dividing and conquering problems creatively, identifying false assumptions and testing ideas that others don’t bother to.
An uplifting discourse which takes solace from the knowledge that no matter what threats lurk on the horizon... we all have it within us to overcome them.
Innovation with Universal Design - Stumbling Upon Success
What hacks can be used to make design unique? Designing systems, products or environments for the average person under perfect conditions seeks to satisfy the group, while often failing to serve each individual.Innovation with Universal Design - Stumbling Upon Success
Conversely, Innovating with Universal Design in mind, solves problems that are obvious for the individual but which often have unintended positive consequences for the wider population.
Many technologies designed with limited abilities in mind have gone on to become crucial and ubiquitous tools favoured the world-over by broader populations despite their abilities or limitations.
Universal design has the ability to solve problems previously shrouded by the naivety of narrow objectives, and broaden the canvas of opportunity for unique design and innovation.
Video
The Perks of Being a Pirate | Tom Nash | TEDxSydney
At the age of 19, Tom lost both his hands and both of his legs to a deadly disease. Since then he has rebuilt his life, using prosthetics to master tasks that many able-bodied individuals often take for granted. Applying the lateral thinking techniques previously attained in overcoming physical hurdles, Tom circumnavigates a variety of challenges and has carved out a new line of thinking, which he lives by to this day. It’s one thing to survive a life-threatening illness, it’s another to thrive thereafter; mesmerising audiences around the world as an in-demand public speaker, DJ, and quadruple amputee like it’s nobody’s business. Then again, failure has never been Tom Nash’s favourite F-word. A taste for disruptive ideas, and a generous pour of Bordeaux are recommended accompaniments for experiencing the full flavour of Tom’s thought-provoking perspectives; the power of pragmatism, separation of ‘life-noise’, and the necessity for self-reflection. Tom allows no excuse for mediocrity, and no apology for adversity. Tom views his physical configuration as simply a type of adversity as common as any other and says; “Everybody has hurdles, and everybody has some kind of disability, whether it be visible or invisible, external or internal, physical, mental, or emotional. The adversity is what helps build our character.” Tom’s penchant for captivating storytelling, alongside his dark sense of humour and his razor-sharp wit are melted down into ideas for life that leave audiences truly grounded, and unequivocally hooked.
