Silicon Speech Meeting #128

Introduction and Pathways Progress Report

The speaker introduces the meeting and mentions that they will be putting together a Pathways progress report. They also mention that they have two pathway speeches scheduled for the meeting.

Goals for Becoming a President's Distinguished Club

• The speaker mentions that their goal is to become a President's Distinguished Club or at least distinguished from very close.

• To achieve this, they need to complete some education goals.

Pathway Speeches Scheduled for the Meeting

• Armando will be giving the Research and Presentation Pathways speech.

• Jin bin will be doing his Icebreaker tonight.

Toastmaster Introduction and Misspelled Names

The Toastmaster is introduced, and it is revealed that her name has been misspelled all this time.

Introducing the Toastmaster

• The Toastmaster is introduced by Steve.

• It is revealed that her name has been misspelled all this time.

Misspelling of Names

• Kenzie Rose Graves' name has been misspelled for almost three years.

• This is Kenzie's first time being a Toastmaster.

Roll Call and Introducing Roles

The Toastmaster introduces the roles for the meeting, including timer, grammarian, thought of the day, joke master, and ah-counter.

Timer Role

• David volunteers to be timer using red yellow green paper.

Ah-counter Role

• Sean McBee fulfills the ah-counter role.

Grammarian Role

• Karan Bavandi fulfills the grammarian role and introduces the word of the day, "serendipity."

Thought of the Day and Joke Master Roles

• The thought of the day is not present, but it will be done at the end of the meeting.

• The joke master role is fulfilled by Steve.

Jokes and Conclusion

The joke master tells a few jokes to conclude the meeting.

Jokes

• A few jokes are told about a new restaurant in Los Angeles, Twitter addiction, and cats vs. commas.

Conclusion

• No further content after jokes.

Introduction and Timing Rules

The Toastmaster introduces the timing role and explains the timing rules for each segment of the meeting.

Timing Role

• The timer keeps track of the amount of time for each segment of the meeting.

• The timer flashes a red (or orange), green, or lime green (yellow) photo on their phone to indicate when a speaker has gone too long, reached their allotted time, or is approaching their time limit.

Speech Timing Rules

• A speech should be no longer than 5 minutes in total.

• At 5 minutes, the timer will flash a lime green photo.

• At 6 minutes, the timer will flash a green photo.

• At 7 minutes, the timer will flash a red (or orange) photo.

Reviewing "The Prince" by Nicolo Machiavelli

Armando Yi Jr. reviews "The Prince" by Nicolo Machiavelli and shares three pieces of practical advice from the book.

About Nicolo Machiavelli and "The Prince"

• Nicolo Machiavelli was from Florence and wrote "The Prince" as a gift for Lorenzo de Medici who was actually the prince at that time.

• "The Prince" has been criticized for advocating policies that may not be considered good or ethical.

Practical Advice from "The Prince"

• It is better to be feared than loved.

• The ends justify the means.

• Be aware of your surroundings and adapt accordingly.

Practical Advice from "The Prince" by Machiavelli

Armando shares three practical tips from the book "The Prince" by Machiavelli. The first tip is to not care about the reputation of being a miser, followed by advice on not being hated and despised. Lastly, he emphasizes that fortune favors the bold.

Tips from "The Prince"

• A prince must care little for the reputation of being a miser.

• It's better to be feared than loved, but it's most important to avoid being hated or despised.

• Fortune favors the bold.

Getting to Know Xian Bean

Xian Bean gives his first Iceberg speech and shares some personal information about himself.

Personal Background

• Xian Bean was born in a small seaside town in northeastern China.

• His hometown is underdeveloped with an average annual salary of only $3,000 USD.

• He received a master's degree in information system management from Carnegie Mellon University.

There were no more significant sections after this point in the transcript.

Yambean's Journey to Becoming a Software Engineer

In this section, Yambean talks about his journey to becoming a software engineer. He discusses how he started by learning physics and interacting with people in student clubs. He also talks about attending lectures given by billionaires on making money after graduation. Yambean then goes on to discuss his failed startup idea of developing an Uber-like track service.

Learning Physics and Interacting with People

• Started at the University not knowing what he wanted to do in the future.

• Decided to learn physics and interact with people through different student clubs.

• Attended lectures given by billionaires on making money after graduation.

Failed Startup Idea

• Developed a startup idea for an Uber-like track service.

• Learned the whole software development cycle but unfortunately, the company failed.

Working at a Middle-Sized Internet Company

In this section, Yambean talks about working at a middle-sized internet company where he learned how to work with suppliers, UI designers, and software teams. He also discusses integrating other advertisement resources with clients like Disneyland and Marriott.

Working with Suppliers, UI Designers, and Software Teams

• Worked at a middle-sized internet company where he learned how to work with suppliers, UI designers, and software teams.

• Developed software filters and systems to optimize ways of displaying products to customers.

Integrating Advertisement Resources

• Integrated other advertisement resources with clients like Disneyland and Marriott.

Starting a Small Hotel Business

In this section, Yambean talks about starting a small hotel business where he rented five apartments and listed them on Airbnb. He also discusses how he realized that Airbnb had a better business model than his own.

Starting a Small Hotel Business

• Started a small hotel business by renting five apartments and listing them on Airbnb.

• Realized that Airbnb had a better business model than his own.

Studying at Carnegie Mellon University

In this section, Yambean talks about studying at Carnegie Mellon University for their computer science program. He also discusses applying for a software engineer role at Amazon after graduation.

Studying at Carnegie Mellon University

• Studied at Carnegie Mellon University for their computer science program.

• Applied for a software engineer role at Amazon after graduation.

Seeking New Opportunities

In this section, Yambean talks about working as a software engineer at Amazon and learning the difference between shield companies and small companies. He also discusses being laid off from Amazon and seeking new opportunities, including an interview with TikTok.

Working as a Software Engineer at Amazon

• Worked as a software engineer at Amazon and learned the difference between shield companies and small companies.

• Found it easy to work at Amazon because of the company's tools to support employees.

Seeking New Opportunities

• Was laid off from Amazon and is now seeking new opportunities.

• Has an interview opportunity with TikTok and is preparing for it.

• Will continue to be a software engineer if possible but will consider starting his own business if he cannot find a good job.

Timing Rules for Evaluations

The timing rules for evaluations are explained.

Timing Rules

• Evaluations are timed at three minutes.

• At two minutes, the Yellow Card is put up.

• At two minutes and 30 seconds, the Green Card is put up.

• At three minutes, the Red Card is put up.

Evaluation of Armando's Speech

Laura evaluates Armando's speech and provides feedback on what he did well and what he could improve.

What was done well

• Good vocal variety and eye contact.

• Relaxed and confident delivery.

• In-depth background and context provided about the book and author.

• Actual book used to provide a sense of style, tone, and delivery.

Areas for improvement

• Personal examples from life could be given to involve the audience more.

• Significance of the book in Armando's life could be discussed more.

Evaluation of Jian Bin's Icebreaker Speech

The evaluation of Jian Bin's icebreaker speech is provided with feedback on what he did well and what he could improve.

What was done well

• Good eye contact even when using notes.

• Well organized chronological representation of his life story.

• Decision-making process explained clearly.

Areas for improvement

• Jump right into the speech instead of introducing oneself first.

• Use gestures while speaking to add emphasis.

• Work on ending speeches on a high note.

Introduction to Table Topics

The Toastmaster introduces the Table Topics segment and explains the timing rules.

Timing Rules for Table Topics

• The Master Table Topics is responsible for keeping the timing for the table topics.

• Participants get a maximum of two minutes in their table topic.

• The timing lights are green at one minute, yellow at 1:30, and red/orange at two minutes.

Money Advice from Quran

Armando's speech about Machiavelli's book "The Prince" leads to a discussion on money advice.

Money Advice

• Save, save, save.

• Education is important in understanding how money works.

• Be aggressive but also be conservative in your outlook and planning.

Being Feared or Being Loved

Machiavelli's advice on being feared or loved is discussed.

Thoughts on Being Feared or Loved

• It is better to be feared than loved according to Machiavelli, but don't become despicable.

• Walking the razor's edge between being feared and hated can be a delicate balance.

Being Bold in Life

In this section, the speaker talks about how being bold has helped her in life. She shares an example of when she was running for class president and won by giving a confident speech with cookies.

Being Bold is Better

• The speaker believes that being bold is better in life.

• Shares an example of when she ran for class president and won by giving a confident speech with cookies.

Epiphany Moment

In this section, the speaker talks about a spiritual awakening moment where she realized everything is consciousness. She gave up great opportunities to pursue spirituality but now wishes she had more money.

Spiritual Awakening

• The speaker had a deep meditation experience where she saw that everything is consciousness.

• She gave up great opportunities to pursue spirituality.

• Now wishes she had more money.

Attitude Towards Innovation

In this section, the speaker talks about her experience working in different businesses and countries. She learned a lot from her team in London who were always inspiring and taught her about the latest platform updates on TikTok and Snapchat.

Learning from Team in London

• Learned a lot from her team in London who were always inspiring.

• They taught her about the latest platform updates on TikTok and Snapchat.

Learning English as Second Language

In this section, GM Ben talks about his experience learning English as a second language. He learned English when he was in third grade but his English teacher didn't know how to speak English.

Learning English

• GM Ben learned English when he was in third grade.

• His English teacher didn't know how to speak English.

Improving English Skills

In this section, the speaker talks about his experience with learning English and how he improved his skills.

Learning English

• The speaker initially hated English due to poor proficiency and attending a worse university.

• He made friends from the US and did Airbnb business, which gave him the opportunity to talk to people from over 30 countries.

• After taking an English class and TOEFL exam, he spent around $20,000 on improving his skills.

• He realized that he could speak English well after improving by 40 scores and applied for a summer program at UCLA.

Armando's Bookshelf

In this section, Armando talks about what book he is currently reading.

The 48 Laws of Power

• Armando's sister gave him the book "The 48 Laws of Power."

• He took a break in the middle of the book to read "The Prince" by Machiavelli but plans on finishing it soon.

Table Topics Report

This section covers the table topics report given by Char.

Table Topics Report

• Steve said "uh" for the first time ever.

• Kenzie had five "ums," David had five "uhs," and everyone used language well.

• There were one "um" and one "uh" from Laura. Many people strung their sentences together with "and."

• Quran reported three uses of "serendipity" by Steve, himself, and David.

Next Week's Meeting

This section covers the planning for next week's meeting.

Planning

• David will be the Toastmaster next week.

• Laura will be the table topics master.

• Kenzie will give a speech in two weeks.

• Almost everyone volunteered for roles next week.

Introduction

The speaker talks about the thought of the day and assigns roles for the Toastmasters meeting.

Assigning Roles

• The speaker assigns Armando as the Table Topics Master.

• The speaker suggests having a Law of Leadership as the thought of the day.

Picture Time

The speaker takes a group picture and plans for next week's officers meeting.

Taking a Group Picture

• The speaker reminds everyone to make sure everything is just right before taking the picture.

• They take a group picture on the count of three.

Planning for Next Week

• The speaker plans to have an officers meeting next Tuesday night, which will last 15-20 minutes or longer depending on what needs to be discussed.

• They confirm that they will be live next week on Thursday at the cottage.