RAB Source Entry 3- Briana Lliguicota

Source Entry #3 for Ted Talk “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator” by Tim Urban  

Part 1 MLA Citation  

– YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024. 

Part 2 Summary  

The Ted Talk, “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator” presented by Tim Urban illustrates the difference in a non-procrastinator and a procrastinator’s mind to show the audience a clear display on procrastinating by comparing different mentalities on productivity. Tim Urban humorously introduces a system of fictional characters to display what occurs inside the brain of a procrastinator. He introduces the idea of the “Rational Decision Maker” and the “Instant Gratification Monkey.” He explains that in a procrastinator’s mind, the Instant Gratification Monkey (the act of procrastinating) often overrides the Rational Decision Maker (being productive and disciplined) leading to distractions and delay in important work. Tim Urban also claims that procrastination can lead to stress and guilt, especially in situations where there are no strict deadlines. He clarifies this idea by stating that since he didn’t have a strict deadline for his presentation on Ted Talk, he procrastinated which led to negative feelings of stress that panicked his brain to begin with his procrastination. Urban concludes his ted talk by encouraging viewers to recognize and manage their own procrastination habits. He emphasizes self-awareness and the importance of balance between instant gratification and rational thinking.  

Part 3 Rhetorical Analysis 

The genre is Ted Talk presentation. The presenter of this video, Tim Urban, is credible because he is the bestselling author of “The Story of Us” and Harvard graduate majoring in government. Urban incorporates a humorous and conversational tone to display his message. Urban uses the rhetorical appeal of pathos by his usage of humor and relatability to the audience while storytelling his experiences with procrastination. Towards the end of his presentation, he addresses the emotional impact of procrastination on people’s lives. This emotional appeal encourages the audience to reflect on their own habits to act on their bad habits. In addition, Urban uses the appeal of ethos by providing the audience with credibility through himself by openly admitting he is a chronic procrastinator himself. Throughout his presentation he openly shares his experiences with procrastinating, especially through his college days. His honesty and vulnerability build trust with the audience, making him a credible source for this topic. The channel Ted Talk is a reliable source because their guidelines state they present information in a compelling and 100% credible manner through speakers that are educated and reliable.  

Part 4 Notable Quotes  

“The Instant Gratification Monkey does not seem like the guy you want behind the wheel. He lives entirely in the present moment. He has no memory of the past, no knowledge of the future, and he only cares about two things: easy and fun.” (Urban 4:50)  

“The Panic Monster is dormant most of the time, but he suddenly wakes up anytime a deadline gets too close or there’s danger of public embarrassment, a career disaster, or some other scary consequence.” (Urban 7:25) 

“There’s a second kind of procrastination that happens in situations when there is no deadline. So, if you wanted a career where you’re a self-starter something in the arts, something entrepreneurial – there’s no deadlines on those things at firsts because nothing’s happening, not until you’ve gone out and done the hard work to get momentum, get things going.”  (Urban 11:05)