Telling Time, Unpacked: The Stories and Ideas That Defined This Year
On the evening of December 4, 2024, TEDxSingapore’s Telling Time brought together a community of curious minds at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre. Through an inspiring lineup of talks and performances, we explored the echoes of the past, the realities of today, and the possibilities of the future.
As we entered the flow of time, guided by diverse voices and perspectives, one question lingered: Are we telling time, or is time telling us?
The event: Telling Time 2024, TEDxSingapore’s flagship event
When and where: Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre in Singapore
Speakers: A captivating lineup of thought leaders, creatives, and visionaries, including Sun Yao Yu, Khir Johari, Chua Yang, Hishamuddin Badaruddin, Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Elroy Cheo, Heema Izzati, Rebecca Toh, and Opera Tang.
Time is a riddle with no answer, shaping the contours of our lives even as it eludes our grasp. At Telling Time, we uncovered its dimensions through stories of music, art, food, health, geopolitics, and technology. Perhaps time doesn’t just reveal its mysteries — perhaps we are the ones shaping it.
Sun Yao Yu
Stories of Singapore’s vanishing printing heritage came alive during Sun Yao Yu’s talk, revealing the fragile nature of cultural legacies. Through vivid accounts of worn typefaces and fading ink, we explored how the passage of time threatens to erase this craft, much like ink fading on ancient manuscripts. It urged us to preserve what we value before it dissolves into memory, underscoring a poignant truth: time can both erode and immortalise, depending on how we choose to honour the past.
Khir Johari
Through the lens of Malay food traditions, we discovered how recipes carry the stories of our people and places across time. Each dish became a bridge, connecting us to our ancestors while fostering cultural exchange and community in the present. Together, we explored the timeless power of food and its ability to unite us across generations and geographies.
Chua Yang
Through her passion for photography, we explored how visual storytelling preserves fleeting moments and transforms them into timeless legacies. Her images reminded us of the stories that lie hidden in plain sight, waiting to be captured and shared. She inspired us to reflect on how we use our time to create meaning and keep memories alive, leaving a lasting imprint on those who come after us.
Hishamuddin Badaruddin
Longevity is more than just adding years to life—it’s about enriching the time we have. Together, Hisham explored how healthier habits, better work environments, and deeper social connections can help us live not just longer, but fuller lives. Through this journey, we were challenged to consider how we shape time to enhance our well-being.
Heema Izzati
Through music, we experienced how art has the power to heal and inspire across time. Heema’s original song, “Blue,” accompanied by her student Aloysius on violin, filled us with a sense of resilience and growth nurtured through creativity. Her journey reminded us that art is a timeless gift, capable of transcending generations and leaving a lasting impact.
Rebecca Toh
In her heartland community library called" “the casual poet library”, we saw how small, intentional acts of connection can transform a disconnected world. Together, we explored how spaces filled with books, food, and shared passions can ignite hope and build community. Rebecca reminded us that the time we spend fostering connection can ripple into profound and ongoing influence.
Opera Tang
Through her art, we celebrated the enduring strength of family traditions. Inspired by her grandmother’s sewing machine and the creation of a youth-inspired outfit, Opera Tang invited us to reflect on how time shapes both identity and heritage. We were reminded that the past is woven into the fabric of who we are and who we are becoming, carrying its influence through generations.