Let's face it--we are a society of worriers. From mothers worrying about their children to males worrying about their masculinity, there is a nationwide epidemic of anxiety and unease.

In this candid and light-hearted talk, university instructor Jessica Richards explores our tendency to worry by examining her own anxious history from childhood to a career in academia. Many important questions are brought up along the way: Is anxiety a biological trait? Are we taught to worry? And are we unintentionally perpetuating a cycle of worry in our own families?

Surprisingly enough, the praise and reinforcement we give to the performance of worry may just be perpetuating a society of worriers.

Jessica teaches college writing at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. She received her Master’s Degree in English with an emphasis in literature.  She has presented at national and regional conferences discussing contemporary culture. She is currently co-editing a collection on zombies with McFarland Publishers.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx