The violence we don’t see | Dr. Kaitlin Devaney | TEDxU Chicago Illinois
Dr. Kaitlin Devaney expands the definition of violence beyond direct physical harm to include structural violence (built into systems that disadvantage certain groups) and cultural violence (narratives that normalize inequality). She argues these three forms of violence operate together, and addressing harm requires examining systems and questioning deficit-based narratives rather than only punishing visible criminal acts.
Summary
Dr. Devaney challenges the common understanding of violence as individual criminal acts visible to police and courts. She presents Galtung's typology of violence, which consists of three interconnected forms that operate in a triangle: direct violence (visible, event-based harm like crime), structural violence (harm built into systems through policies and institutions that advantage some at the expense of others), and cultural violence (the stories and assumptions we use to justify inequality). Using the example of two children with different access to housing, food, and safe spaces, she demonstrates how structural violence creates measurable differences in life expectancy and health outcomes without requiring a single perpetrator. She explains that cultural violence operates through narratives—such as stereotypes about dangerous neighborhoods or claims that poverty results from individual laziness—that make inequality seem normal and acceptable. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's concept of conservation of violence, she illustrates how structural violence in communities (disinvestment, lack of resources) manifests as direct violence (homicide, crime). Maps of Chicago show that neighborhoods with highest homicide rates overlap with those experiencing poverty and food insecurity. Rather than asking "who is to blame," Bourdieu's lens prompts asking "how is harm produced?" She concludes with an action framework: learn to see systems beyond individual behavior, interrogate narratives by questioning who benefits and who tells the story, and make decisions with awareness of who gains access and who is excluded.
Key Insights
- The standard definition of violence as physical harm caused by individuals with intent is incomplete and reactive; criminal justice and healthcare systems respond after harm has already occurred rather than preventing it
- Structural violence causes measurable real harm—such as reduced life expectancy—without a single perpetrator by building inequality into systems through policies affecting housing, food access, and education
- Cultural violence consists of narratives and assumptions like 'poverty results from laziness' or 'certain neighborhoods are inherently dangerous' that make inequality feel normal and acceptable rather than problematic
- According to Pierre Bourdieu's conservation of violence, structural violence exerted through job loss and disinvestment in marginalized communities manifests as direct violence in the form of crime and interpersonal harm
- The most powerful step toward change is a change in perception—learning to identify forms of violence operating invisibly in systems—rather than only taking action against visible criminal behavior
Topics
Transcript
[0:03] violence, a scene like this pops up. This is actually the number one image that pops up when you Google violence. It's a picture of a scene we see police tape, we see an action, we see people responding to a crime. But what if I told you that this understanding is not all of the ways that we should understand violence? Today we're going to spend some time complicating this. And this understanding isn't just cultural, it's institutional. So this definition from the National [0:35] Research Council defines violence as behaviors by individuals that intentionally threaten, attempt, or inflict physical harm on others. So there are three important elements of this definition. We have individuals as the perpetrators.…
Full transcript available for MurmurCast members
Sign Up to AccessMore from TEDx Talks
How to easily make big decisions | Neel Patel | TEDxU Chicago Illinois
Neel Patel presents a framework for making major life decisions by shifting focus from "what do I want to do" to "who do I want to be." He advocates for picking a decision and committing to make it the right one rather than endlessly seeking the perfect choice, illustrated through his personal journey from accounting student to college professor.
The 5 Lies You've Been Told About Breathing | Dr. Andy Sabatier, DPT | TEDxBend
Dr. Andy Sabatier debunks five common lies about breathing, emphasizing that functional breathing prioritizes diaphragmatic movement over chest breathing, proper CO2 retention over oxygen maximization, and intentional breathing practice that retrains automatic breathing patterns. By breathing functionally (nose inhalation, diaphragm first, slow exhalation), individuals can improve physical, mental, and emotional aspects of their lives.
The power of prioritizing your own health | Dr. Stephen Dahmer | TEDxBend
Dr. Stephen Dahmer argues that modern medicine confuses 'sick care' with 'health care' and calls for a health rebellion centered on daily practices like breathing, movement, connection, and purpose rather than medical interventions. He emphasizes that while it's not individuals' fault they inherited a disease-focused system, they bear responsibility for tending their own health through accessible, free practices.
The human who doesn't exist | Bill Ovenden | TEDxBrisbane
Bill Ovenden argues that behavior change fails not due to lack of motivation but because systems are poorly designed for real humans. By removing friction—small barriers that disproportionately impact behavior—through thoughtful design choices, people naturally follow through on good intentions without requiring additional willpower or discipline.
What's Really Hiding in Our Oceans | Claire Potter | TEDxUniversity of Sussex
Claire Potter, a designer and marine plastic researcher, explains the scale and complexity of ocean plastic pollution, discussing how plastic enters oceans through various sources, persists indefinitely, and bioaccumulates toxins throughout the food chain. She argues that solving this crisis requires a circular economy approach combining global legislation, system design, and long-lasting products rather than relying solely on recovery efforts.