It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's A... Washing Machine?

I just finished watching this video on TED by Swedish Global Health Professor Hans Rosling, and let me tell you, that guy is awesome. Not to mention, he very well could be a Viking! (or at least his ancestors might have been)...

While he is not a marketer, and therefore you may question why I bothered to sit through the whole 9:15, I challenge you to watch the video before you judge any further.

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html

He details one of his early childhood memories in the presentation, where he recounts the day that his mother brought home their family's first washing machine and used it for the first time. Rather than strictly pontificating, Professor Rosling captures the audience with his ability to bring this day to life as if you had been there yourself.
The compelling presentation technique (he actually placed and operated a washing machine in the middle of the stage), combined with his unique insight into global health/poverty issues had me hooked nearly immediately.

So for those of you looking to infuse great storytelling with innovative visualization software and rock-solid statistics, check out his TED page as well as his nonprofit organization Gapminder.

And here's the link to the video one more time... I promise you that if you give this video a view, you will not be disappointed.

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html

For now, as the Vikings of old would say: GOboldushauj - “Go bold or go home.”