Theme: Existing in Chaos

The theme of the TEDxBIM talk is “Existing in Chaos.” We chose this theme because it is open-ended and can be interpreted in many profound ways. Chaos can manifest in many different ways, so the interpretation of “Existing in Chaos” can differ from person to person. From chaos theory in physics to chaos in a social or environmental context, the theme "Existing in Chaos” invites us to explore the many ways in which disorder and unpredictability shape our world. This theme underscores the idea that the presence of chaos, rather than being a source of trouble, is an intrinsic aspect of existence. For example, in the realm of physics, there is chaos theory, the science of the unpredictable. A less abstract approach could also be taken, such as tackling chaos in a school or work environment. The possible interpretations of “Existing in Chaos” are endless.

BASIS Independent McLean
8000 Jones Branch Dr
McLean, Virginia, 22102
United States

Grace Araya

Student at BASIS Independent McLean

Grace Araya is a Sophomore in BIM. She has a great love for learning, and the fact that many kids all over the world don’t have access to an education fuels her passion for helping others. Children in developing countries are faced with so much chaos in their lives—a lack of food, safety, healthcare, and education, to name a few. For Grace, education is a way out, a way for these kids to keep going and exist within the chaos and one day rise above their situation. She wants to do everything she possibly can to help kids in developing countries around the world achieve this goal.

John Hight

Historian + author

Raised in Dallas, Texas, Jack Hight has focused his life on historical fiction. He’s written a novel trilogy (The Saladin Trilogy: Eagle, Kingdom, and Holy War) and a standalone novel Siege. Having taught at BASIS for a few years until 2022, he’s a beloved teacher whose style leaned to help every student in whichever way he could. With an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, he’s returned to BASIS once again to give his views on our topic: “Existing in Chaos”.

Laila Ali

Student at BASIS Independent McLean

Laila Ali is a Junior in BIM. She’s known for her lovely attitude and positivity that can help anyone through their days. She believes that one of the most satisfying things to do is to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. The fastest way to do that is just by changing their approach to a problem and providing a fresh perspective, as she hopes to achieve with her speech. She chose her topic for the event due to her hope that her perspective on navigating chaos can inspire others in a practical way to improve their own experience.

Matthew Shindell

Space historian + author; Curator of robotic spacecraft at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Receiving his Ph.D. from UC San Diego in 2011, Dr. Shindell is a historian of science, an author, and a co-author of several books. He curates the robotic spacecraft that have explored our solar system, including the Voyager probe and the rovers NASA has sent to Mars. Besides that, Dr. Shindell is especially interested in robots, like the droids from the Star Wars universe. He has collected many of them as Funko models, Lego sets, or toys. As Dr. Shindell has shared with us, he would build a full-sized R2-D2 himself if he had the skills. He will share his ideas on our topic from the unique perspective of a space historian.

Veer Bahethi

Student at BASIS Independent McLean

Veer is a junior at Basis Independent Mclean. He is interested in biology and the medical field. He is currently in the process of volunteering at his local fire department and hopes to be an EMT a few months into the coming year. Besides academics, he bakes in his past. He chose his topic due to his fascination about genetics and how changing one nucleic acid can cause a large ripple effect into changes in the organism itself. Veer’s talk will revolve around the evolving and changing organisms and the differences they create between individuals. He wishes to share his understanding of this world with everyone.