Bir araya gelmediğimizde ne olur? | 2026 | Esin Aydemir Kasa | TEDxResetSalon

Quick Overview

Esin Aydemir Kasa argues that the perceived isolation when we fail to connect with others, which she calls "connected loneliness," is actually a result of deeply ingrained societal prejudices that prevent authentic interaction, comparing it to a person walking past a statue without acknowledging it, and emphasizes that breaking down these biases requires active self-reflection and community building rather than waiting for external validation.

Key Points: The speaker introduces the concept of "connected loneliness" (bağlantılı yalnızlık), describing the feeling of being isolated despite being surrounded by people. A key personal anecdote involves the speaker's grandmother, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 90, and the speaker's childhood memory of her grandmother's hand-knitted socks, symbolizing strong but sometimes restrictive ties. The speaker references Pia Parcher's book, "The Art of Gathering," which defines loneliness not as a lack of connection, but as a "disconnection of belonging" (aidiyet kopuşu) and associates the term with unhealthy peace or unhealthy assumptions. The speaker highlights that people often categorize others based on external factors (age, status, origin) rather than authentic connection, leading to superficial interactions and reinforcing prejudice. She contrasts the linear, goal-oriented nature of presentations with the organic process of building authentic relationships, urging the audience to actively seek connection rather than passively observe. The main conclusion suggests that overcoming this isolation requires individuals to take responsibility for their own being and actively work on dismantling internal and external prejudices, rather than waiting for others to validate them. The speaker shares that her parents, one Indian-Hind, and one American, created two separate worlds, which she experienced as a child, leading to her early understanding of cultural disconnect.

Context: Esin Aydemir Kasa delivers a TEDx talk titled "Ön Yargıları Yıkmak" (Breaking Down Prejudices) at TEDxResetSalon. She frames her discussion around the concept of "connected loneliness," a modern phenomenon where individuals feel isolated despite being constantly connected, often due to underlying societal biases and superficial interactions. She uses personal stories, including memories of her grandmother and her own bicultural upbringing, to illustrate how unexamined judgments and expectations prevent genuine bonding.