問的藝術/The art of asking

這是我最近很喜歡的TED演講。英文字幕才剛加上沒多久，不知道何時才會有中文字幕。

結合街頭表演的經驗，加上擅於使用現在各式即時訊息的媒介，Amanda Palmer在Kickstarter（一個提供資金募集的網路平台）募集了近120萬美金，而這些資金僅來自於2萬5千名支持者，平均一人贊助近50美金。

在她的演講裡，她說，當我們和群眾建立起連結後，群眾會願意幫助你。大家都過度著迷於這個錯誤的問題：如何要（make）群眾付費？而是該問如何讓（let）群眾付費？

我認為，當你和對方建立起關聯後，他們幫助你時，其實他們也是在幫助自己。

影片下方的回應中，Marshall Wilensky的評論很有意思：Amanda的訊息並不只是金錢和產品。能夠詢問請求協助－以一種需要、脆弱、信任的方式－亦是一個你能夠提供他人的禮物。你的請求讓他們有機會回饋，有機會服務。當你的請求是誠實且公平的（即不具任何操控性），他人有充分自由答應或拒絕，或甚至反過來提出請求。而這才是真實靈魂與靈魂之間交流真正重要的。

此外，Amanda做為一個音樂表演者，常有機會做沙發衝浪（Couchsurfing）和群眾衝浪（Crowdsurfing），近距離的與各式各樣的陌生人產生短暫而信任的交流。她的演講讓我想起印度的旅行。在那樣一個語言不通、文化相異的國度，我常想著：我該怎麼才能毫不猶豫的相信著任一個向我靠近的人？相信他是不帶著任何目的前來幫助我？

Amanda的作為在網路上或音樂界中都引起許多爭議。最近經濟學人對於她的評論，認為她在TED傳達的訊息的影響力，遠大於她的音樂表現。 無論你是否知道她喜歡她的音樂同意她的觀點，這都是值得一聽的演講。

This is my recent favorite TED talk.  They just added the transcription.

Based on her street performance experience, and her well use of all kinds of platforms on Internet,  Amanda raised around $1.2 millions dollars on Kickstarter, from about 25,000 backers.  In average each person provided nearly $50 dollars.

In her talk, she said that once we are connected with audience, the audience will be willing to help.  Everyone is fascinated about the wrong question: how to make the audience pay?  What we should really ask is how to let them pay.

I think, once you are connected with others, when they are helping you, in a way they actually are helping themselves.

I like the comment from Marshall Wilensky: Amanda's message isn't just about the dollars and the 'product'. Being able to ask for help -- in that needy, vulnerable, trusting way -- is also a gift you offer other people. Your requests give them opportunities to give back, to be of service. When your requests are honest and fair (i.e. non-manipulative) the other person is free to say "No", or "Yes", or even counter-propose. And that's what true soul-to-soul relationship is really all about.

In addition, as a music performer, Amanda has a lot of chance doing couchsurfing and crowdsurfing, and having short and trusting interactions with all sorts of strangers.  Her talk reminded me my India trip: in a country where the language and culture greatly differ from what I was used to, I often thought: how can I trust everyone approaching me with no doubt and fear?  How can I believe that he is going to help me without any purpose?

What Amanda did is controversial (probably due to the huge amount of money she raised?) You can find articles on The Economist or New York Times talking about her.  Recently The Economist commented that her message may overwhelm her work.  Whether you like her music or agree with her or never heard of her, this is a great talk worth listening to.