(Cory Doctorow) Thank you very much
So I'd like to start with something of a benediction or permission.
I am one of nature's fast talkers
and many of you are not native English speakers, or
maybe not accustomed to my harsh Canadian accent
in addition I've just come in from Australia
and so like many of you I am horribly jetlagged and have drunkenough coffee
this morning to kill a rhino.
When I used to be at the United Nations
I was known as the scourge of the simultaneous translation core
I would stand up and speak as slowly as I could
and turn around, and there they would be in their boots doing this
(laughter) When I start to speak too fast,
this is the universal symbol -- my wife invented it --
for "Cory, you are talking too fast". Please, don't be shy.
So, I'm a parent , like many of you and I'm like I'm sure all of you
who are parents, parenting takes my ass all the time.
And there are many regrets I have about the mere seven and half years
that I've been a parent but none ares so keenly felt
as my regrets over what's happened when I've been wandering
around the house and seen my daughter working on something
that was beyond her abilities, that was right at the edge of what she could do
and where she was doing something that she didn't have competence in yet
and you know it's that amazing thing to see that frowning concentration,
tongue stuck out: as a parent, your heart swells with pride
and you can't help but go over
and sort of peer over their shoulder what they are doing
and those of you who are parents know it happens.