TED-EdStaffel 2013
TV-PG
Various intellectual subjects are presented in animation.
TED-Ed • Staffel 2013 ansehen bei
261 Folgen
- How photography connects us - David Griffin
F1How photography connects us - David GriffinThe photo director for National Geographic David Griffin knows the power of photography to connect us to our world. In a Talk filled with glorious images, he discusses how we all use photos to tell our stories. Talk by David Griffin. - Conserving our spectacular, vulnerable coral reefs - Joshua DrewF2
Conserving our spectacular, vulnerable coral reefs - Joshua DrewHow do coral reef conservationists balance the environmental needs of the reefs with locals who need the reefs to survive? Joshua Drew draws on the islands of Fiji and their exemplary system of protection, called "connectivity," which also keep the needs of fishermen in mind. - Detention or Eco Club: Choosing your future - Juan Martinez
F3Detention or Eco Club: Choosing your future - Juan MartinezGrowing up surrounded by gangs in South Central Los Angeles, Juan Martinez wasn't exposed to the great outdoors. One day in high school, he was given the life-changing choice between detention or Eco Club. He chose nature and has since devoted his life to getting kids back to the outdoors as a National Geographic Explorer and director of the Natural Leaders Network. - On exploring the oceans - Robert BallardF4
On exploring the oceans - Robert BallardOcean explorer Robert Ballard takes us on a mindbending trip to hidden worlds underwater, where he and other researchers are finding unexpected life, resources, and even new mountains. He makes a case for serious exploration and mapping. Google Ocean, anyone? - Jessica Green and Karen Guillemin: You are your microbes
F6Jessica Green and Karen Guillemin: You are your microbesFrom the microbes in our stomachs to the ones on our teeth we are homes to millions of unique and diverse communities which help our bodies function. Jessica Green and Karen Guillemin emphasize the importance of understanding the many organisms that make up each and every organism. [Directed by Celine Keller and Paula Spagnoletti, narrated by Jessica Green]. - Colm Kelleher: How we see colorF7
Colm Kelleher: How we see colorThere are three types of color receptors in your eye: red, green and blue. But how do we see the amazing kaleidoscope of other colors that make up our world? Colm Kelleher explains how humans can see everything from auburn to aquamarine. [Directed by Jeremiah Dickey, narrated by Colm Kelleher]. - Activation energy: Kickstarting chemical reactions - Vance KiteF8
Activation energy: Kickstarting chemical reactions - Vance KiteChemical reactions are constantly happening in your body -- even at this very moment. But what catalyzes these important reactions? Vance Kite explains how enzymes assist the process, while providing a light-hearted way to remember how activation energy works. - Phenology and nature's shifting rhythms - Regina BrinkerF9
Phenology and nature's shifting rhythms - Regina BrinkerWith rapidly rising global temperatures come seasonal changes. As spring comes earlier for some plant species, there are ripple effects throughout the food web. Regina Brinker explains how phenology, or the natural cycles of plants and animals, can be affected by these changes. - Underwater astonishments - David Gallo
F10Underwater astonishments - David GalloDavid Gallo shows jaw-dropping footage of amazing sea creatures, including a color-shifting cuttlefish, a perfectly camouflaged octopus, and a Times Square's worth of neon light displays from fish who live in the blackest depths of the ocean. - How to find the true face of Leonardo - Siegfried WoldhekF12
How to find the true face of Leonardo - Siegfried WoldhekMona Lisa is one of the best-known faces on the planet. But would you recognize an image of Leonardo da Vinci? Illustrator Siegfried Woldhek uses some thoughtful image-analysis techniques to find what he believes is the true face of Leonardo. - What Aristotle and Joshua Bell can teach us about persuasion - Conor Neill
F13What Aristotle and Joshua Bell can teach us about persuasion - Conor NeillImagine you are one of the world’s greatest violin players, and you decide to conduct an experiment: play inside a subway station and see if anyone stops to appreciate when you are stripped of a concert hall and name recognition. Joshua Bell did this, and Conor Neill channels Aristotle to understand why the context mattered. - How to defeat a dragon with math - Garth SundemF15
How to defeat a dragon with math - Garth SundemHaving trouble remembering the order of operations? Let's raise the stakes a little bit. What if the future of your (theoretical) kingdom depended on it? Garth Sundem creates a world in which PEMDAS is the hero but only heroic when in the proper order. - Can we domesticate germs? - Paul EwaldF16
Can we domesticate germs? - Paul EwaldEvolutionary biologist Paul Ewald drags us into the sewer to discuss germs. Why are some more harmful than others? How could we make the harmful ones benign? Searching for answers, he examines a disgusting, fascinating case: diarrhea. - Write your story, change history - Brad Meltzer
F17Write your story, change history - Brad MeltzerThe idea that youth is wasted on the young? Wrong. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the creators of Superman were all under 30 when they wrote themselves into history. In this inspirational TEDYouth 2011 Talk, Brad Meltzer encourages us to dream big, work hard, and stay humble. - Colm Kelleher: Is light a particle or a wave?F19
Colm Kelleher: Is light a particle or a wave?Can we accurately describe light as exclusively a wave or just a particle? Are the two mutually exclusive? In this third part of his series on light and color Colm Kelleher discusses wave-particle duality and its relationship to how we see light and therefore color. [Directed by Nelson Diaz, narrated by Colm Kelleher]. - Your genes are not your fate - Dean Ornish
F20Your genes are not your fate - Dean OrnishDean Ornish shares new research that shows how adopting healthy lifestyle habits can affect a person at a genetic level. For instance, he says, when you live healthier, eat better, exercise, and love more, your brain cells actually increase. - Losing everything - David HoffmanF21
Losing everything - David HoffmanNine days before TED2008, filmmaker David Hoffman lost almost everything he owned in a fire that destroyed his home, office and 30 years of passionate collecting. He looks back at a life that's been wiped clean in an instant -- and looks forward. - Digging for humanity's origins - Louise Leakey
F22Digging for humanity's origins - Louise LeakeyLouise Leakey asks, "Who are we?" The question takes her to the Rift Valley in Eastern Africa, where she digs for the evolutionary origins of humankind -- and suggests a stunning new vision of our competing ancestors. - Learning from past presidents - Doris Kearns Goodwin
F23Learning from past presidents - Doris Kearns GoodwinHistorian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about what we can learn from American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson. Then she shares a moving memory of her own father and of their shared love of baseball. - Network theory - Marc SametF25
Network theory - Marc SametFrom social media to massive financial institutions, we live within a web of networks. But how do they work? How does Googling a single word provide millions of results? Marc Samet investigates how these networks keep us connected and how they remain "alive." - Slowing down time (in writing & film) - Aaron Sitze
F26Slowing down time (in writing & film) - Aaron SitzeCertain moments in our lives seem to last forever. Whether it is a first kiss or a car crash, time can seem to stretch...or even stop. Aaron Sitze explains how this sensation is conveyed in cinema and how the same conventions can be used to slow down time in your writing. - The coming neurological epidemic - Gregory Petsko
F29The coming neurological epidemic - Gregory PetskoBiochemist Gregory Petsko makes a convincing argument that, in the next 50 years, we'll see an epidemic of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's, as the world population ages. His solution: more research into the brain and its functions. - Parasite tales: The jewel wasp's zombie slave - Carl Zimmer
F30Parasite tales: The jewel wasp's zombie slave - Carl ZimmerThis is stranger than science fiction. The jewel wasp and the cockroach have a disgusting and fascinating parasitic relationship. The jewel wasp stuns the cockroach, and months later, a jewel wasp hatches out of the cockroach. At TEDYouth 2012, Carl Zimmer walks us through how this happens and why it personally fascinates him. - Christian Rudder: Inside OKCupid: The math of online datingF46
Christian Rudder: Inside OKCupid: The math of online datingWhen two people join a dating website they are matched according to shared interests and how they answer a number of personal questions. But how do sites calculate the likelihood of a successful relationship? Christian Rudder one of the founders of popular dating site OKCupid details the algorithm behind 'hitting it off.' [Directed by Franz Palomares, narrated by Christian Rudder]. - Bill Shillito: How to organize, add and multiply matricesF78
Bill Shillito: How to organize, add and multiply matricesWhen you're working on a problem with lots of numbers, as in economics, cryptography or 3D graphics, it helps to organize those numbers into a grid, or matrix. Bill Shillito shows us how to work with matrices, with tips for adding, subtracting and multiplying (but not dividing!). [Directed by David Bernal, narrated by Bill Shillito]. - Peggy Andover: The difference between classical and operant conditioningF82
Peggy Andover: The difference between classical and operant conditioningWhy is it that humans react to stimuli with certain behaviors? Can behaviors change in response to consequences? Peggy Andover explains how the brain can associate unrelated stimuli and responses proved by Ivan Pavlov's famous 1890 experiments and how reinforcement and punishment can result in changed behavior. [Directed by Alan Foreman, narrated by Peggy Andover]. - Cameron Paterson: The infamous and ingenious Ho Chi Minh TrailF93
Cameron Paterson: The infamous and ingenious Ho Chi Minh TrailThe Ho Chi Minh Trail not only connected North and South Vietnam during a brutal war but also aided Vietnamese soldiers. The trail shaved nearly five months of time off of the trip and was used as a secret weapon of sorts. Cameron Paterson describes the history and usage of the infamous trail. [Directed by Maxwell Sørensen, narrated by Cameron Paterson]. - Mark Changizi: Why do we see illusions?F103
Mark Changizi: Why do we see illusions?Why can't our extremely complex eyes render simple optical illusions? Surprise, surprise -- it comes back to the brain, which has only evolved to encounter natural stimuli. At TEDYouth 2012, Mark Changizi explains how the brain reckons with optical illusions.[Directed by TED Media]. - Jeff Dekofsky: Euclid's puzzling parallel postulateF115
Jeff Dekofsky: Euclid's puzzling parallel postulateEuclid, known as the "Father of Geometry," developed several of modern geometry's most enduring theorems--but what can we make of his mysterious fifth postulate, the parallel postulate? Jeff Dekofsky shows us how mathematical minds have put the postulate to the test and led to larger questions of how we understand mathematical principles. [Directed by David Bernal, narrated by Jeff Dekofsky]. - Tom Whyntie: The beginning of the universe for beginners
F149Tom Whyntie: The beginning of the universe for beginnersHow did the universe begin -- and how is it expanding? CERN physicist Tom Whyntie shows how cosmologists and particle physicists explore these questions by replicating the heat energy and activity of the first few seconds of our universe from right after the Big Bang. [Directed by Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson, narrated by R.J. Glass]. - Bill Shribman: What cameras see that our eyes don'tF150
Bill Shribman: What cameras see that our eyes don'tOur eyes are practically magical, but they cannot see everything. For instance, the naked eye cannot see the moment where all four of a horse's legs are in the air or the gradual life cycle of plants -- but cameras can capture these moments. Bill Shribman gives examples where photography can pick up where the eye leaves off. [Directed by Darcy Vorhees, narrated by Bill Shribman]. - Colm Kelleher: What is Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox?F160
Colm Kelleher: What is Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox?Can you ever travel from one place to another? Ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea gave a convincing argument that all motion is impossible - but where's the flaw in his logic? Colm Kelleher illustrates how to resolve Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox. [Directed by Candy Kugel, narrated Colm Kelleher]. - Carl Zimmer: How did feathers evolve?F192
Carl Zimmer: How did feathers evolve?To look at the evolution of modern bird feathers, we must start a long time ago, with the dinosaurs from whence they came. We see early incarnations of feathers on dinosaur fossils, and remnants of dinosaurs in a bird's wish bone. Carl Zimmer explores the stages of evolution and how even the reasons for feathers have evolved over millions of years. [Directed by Armella Leung, narrated by Carl Zimmer]. - James Gillies: Dark matter: The matter we can't seeF193
James Gillies: Dark matter: The matter we can't seeThe Greeks had a simple and elegant formula for the universe: just earth fire wind and water. Turns out there's more to it than that -- a lot more. Visible matter (and that goes beyond the four Greek elements) comprises only 4% of the universe. CERN scientist James Gillies tells us what accounts for the remaining 96% (dark matter and dark energy) and how we might go about detecting it. [Directed by Jeremiah Dickey, narrated by James Gillies]. - Rolf Landua: What happened to antimatter?F196
Rolf Landua: What happened to antimatter?Particles come in pairs which is why there should be an equal amount of matter and antimatter in the universe. Yet scientists have not been able to detect any in the visible universe. Where is this missing antimatter? CERN scientist Rolf Landua returns to the seconds after the Big Bang to explain the disparity that allows humans to exist today. [Directed by Franz Palomares, narrated by Rolf Landua]. - Strange answers to the psychopath test - Jon RonsonF204
Strange answers to the psychopath test - Jon RonsonIs there a definitive line that divides crazy from sane? With a hair-raising delivery, Jon Ronson, author of The Psychopath Test, illuminates the gray areas between the two. (With live-mixed sound by Julian Treasure and animation by Evan Grant.) Talk by Jon Ronson. - How a fly flies - Michael DickinsonF205
How a fly flies - Michael DickinsonAn insect's ability to fly is perhaps one of the greatest feats of evolution. Michael Dickinson looks at how a fruit fly takes flight with such delicate wings, thanks to a clever flapping motion and flight muscles that are both powerful and nimble. But the secret ingredient: the incredible fly brain. (Filmed at TEDxCaltech.) Talk by Michael Dickinson. - A girl who demanded school - Kakenya Ntaiya
F215A girl who demanded school - Kakenya NtaiyaKakenya Ntaiya made a deal with her father: She would undergo the traditional Maasai rite of passage of female circumcision if he would let her go to high school. Ntaiya tells the fearless story of continuing on to college and of working with her village elders to build a school for girls in her community. It's the educational journey of one that altered the destiny of 125 young women. (Filmed at TEDxMidAtlantic.) Talk by Kakenya Ntaiya. - Ray Laurence: Four sisters in Ancient RomeF216
Ray Laurence: Four sisters in Ancient RomeHow did the young, wealthy women of Ancient Rome spend their days? Meet Domitia and her sister Domitia and her sister Domitia and her sister Domitia. Ray Laurence sketches the domestic life of leisure that these young girls lived, despite little recorded information on women from this otherwise well-documented era. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by Ray Laurence]. - Leslie Kenna: The brilliance of bioluminescenceF217
Leslie Kenna: The brilliance of bioluminescenceSome lucky animals are naturally endowed with bioluminescence, or the ability to create light. The firefly, the anglerfish, and a few more surprising creatures use this ability in many ways, including survival, hunting, and mating. Leslie Kenna investigates this magical glow - and our quest to replicate it. [Directed by Cinematic Sweden, narrated by Michelle Snow]. - David J. Malan: What's an algorithm?F229
David J. Malan: What's an algorithm?An algorithm is a method of solving problems both big and small. Though computers run algorithms constantly, humans can also solve problems with algorithms. David J. Malan explains how algorithms can be used in seemingly simple situations and also complex ones. [Directed by Joyce Stenneke, narrated by David J. Malan]. - George Zaidan: What is fat?F232
George Zaidan: What is fat?As the narrative goes, fat is bad. Well, it's actually more nuanced than that. The type of fat you eat is more impactful on your health than the quantity. George Zaidan examines triglycerides, the varied molecules that make up fat, and how to identify which types of fat you are consuming. [Directed by Igor Coric, narrated by George Zaidan]. - Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model - Cameron RussellF242
Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model - Cameron RussellCameron Russell admits she won "a genetic lottery": she's tall, pretty and an underwear model. But don't judge her by her looks. In this fearless talk, she takes a wry look at the industry that had her looking highly seductive at barely 16-years-old. Talk by Cameron Russell. - Ron Shaneyfelt: Is space trying to kill us?F243
Ron Shaneyfelt: Is space trying to kill us?How likely is it that a massive asteroid will do major damage to Earth and its inhabitants? What about the sun -- is it dying out anytime soon? And the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way -- should we be worried about that? Ron Shaneyfelt assesses the dangers of space. [Directed by Retchy, narrated by Ron Shaneyfelt]. - Brian Jones: What on Earth is spin?F246
Brian Jones: What on Earth is spin?Why does the Earth spin? Does a basketball falling from a spinning merry-go-round fall in a curve, as it appears to, or in a straight line? How can speed be manipulated while spinning? In short, why is the spinning motion so special? Brian Jones details the dizzyingly wide array of ways that spinning affects our lives. [Directed by Flaming Medusa Studios, narrated by Brian Jones]. - K. Erica Dodge: Gyotaku: The ancient Japanese art of printing fishF248
K. Erica Dodge: Gyotaku: The ancient Japanese art of printing fishHow did fishermen record their trophy catches before the invention of photography? In 19th century Japan, fishing boats were equipped with rice paper, sumi-e ink, and brushes in order to create gyotaku: elaborate rubbings of freshly caught fish. K. Erica Dodge recounts the story of this competitive fishing culture, plus some tips on how to make your very own etchings. [Directed by Franco Barroeta, narrated by Michelle Snow]. - Richard E. Cytowic: What color is Tuesday? Exploring synesthesiaF273
Richard E. Cytowic: What color is Tuesday? Exploring synesthesiaHow does one experience synesthesia -- the neurological trait that combines two or more senses? Synesthetes may taste the number 9 or attach a color to each day of the week. Richard E. Cytowic explains the fascinating world of entangled senses and why we may all have just a touch of synesthesia. [Directed by TED-Ed, narrated by Richard E. Cytowic]. - How big is the ocean? - Scott Gass
F312How big is the ocean? - Scott GassWhile the Earth's oceans are known as five separate entities, there is really only one ocean. So, how big is it? As of 2013, it takes up 71% of the Earth, houses 99% of the biosphere, and contains some of Earth's grandest geological features. Scott Gass reminds us of the influence humans have on the ocean and the influence it has on us. Lesson by Scott Gass, animation by Sandro Katamashvili. - Marjee Chmiel and Trevor Owens: Is there a center of the universe?F313
Marjee Chmiel and Trevor Owens: Is there a center of the universe?It's been a long road to the discovery that Earth is not the center of the Solar System, the Milky Way, or the universe; great thinkers from Aristotle to Bruno have grappled with it for millennia. But if we aren't at the center of the universe, what is? Marjee Chmiel and Trevor Owens discuss where we stand in the (very) big scheme of things. [Directed by Qa'ed Mai, narrated by Michelle Snow]. - Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: InvisibilityF323
Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: InvisibilityWhat if invisibility wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to be invisible? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor]. - Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: ImmortalityF324
Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: ImmortalityWhat if immortality wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to be immortal? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor]. - Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Body massF325
Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Body massWhat if manipulating body mass wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to manipulate your body mass? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor]. - Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: FlightF326
Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: FlightWhat if human flight wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to fly? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor]. - Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Super speedF327
Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Super speedWhat if super speed wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to be super speed? In this series Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor]. - Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Super strengthF328
Joy Lin: If superpowers were real: Super strengthWhat if super strength wasn't just the stuff of epic comic book stories? Is it scientifically possible to be super strong? In this series, Joy Lin tackles six superpowers and reveals just how scientifically realistic they can be to us mere mortals. [Directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by James Arnold Taylor]. - Dr. Matt J. Carlson: Free falling in outer spaceF352
Dr. Matt J. Carlson: Free falling in outer spaceIf you were to orbit the Earth, you'd experience the feeling of free fall, not unlike what your stomach feels before a big dive on a roller coaster. With a little help from Sir Isaac Newton, Matt J. Carlson explains the basic forces acting on an astronaut and why you probably shouldn't try this one at home. [Directed by Josh Harris, narrated by Matt J. Carlson]. - 4 lessons from robots about being human - Ken GoldbergF354
4 lessons from robots about being human - Ken GoldbergThe more that robots ingrain themselves into our everyday lives, the more we're forced to examine ourselves as people. At TEDxBerkeley, Ken Goldberg shares four very human lessons that he's learned from working with robots. (Filmed at TEDxBerkeley.) Talk by Ken Goldberg. - Alex Gendler: Myths and misconceptions about evolutionF355
Alex Gendler: Myths and misconceptions about evolutionHow does evolution really work? Actually, not how some of our common evolutionary metaphors would have us believe. For instance, it's species, not individual organisms, that adapt to produce evolution, and genes don't "want" to be passed on -- a gene can't want anything at all! Alex Gendler sets the record straight on the finer points of evolution. [Directed by Giant Animation Studios, narrated by Julianna Zarzycki]. - Reynaldo Lopes: The infinite life of piF357
Reynaldo Lopes: The infinite life of piThe ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is always the same: 3.14159... and on and on (literally!) forever. This irrational number, pi, has an infinite number of digits, so we'll never figure out its exact value no matter how close we seem to get. Reynaldo Lopes explains pi's vast applications to the study of music, financial models, and even the density of the universe. [Directed by Igor Coric, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion - TED-Ed
F372Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion - TED-EdHow do animators make still images come to life? Are the images really moving, or are they merely an optical illusion? TED-Ed takes you behind the scenes to reveal the secret of motion in movies. Lesson and animation by TED-Ed. - What we learned from 5 million books - Erez Lieberman Aiden and Jean-Baptiste MichelF373
What we learned from 5 million books - Erez Lieberman Aiden and Jean-Baptiste MichelHave you played with Google Labs' Ngram Viewer? It's an addicting tool that lets you search for words and ideas in a database of 5 million books from across centuries. Erez Lieberman Aiden and Jean-Baptiste Michel show us how it works, and a few of the surprising things we can learn from 500 billion words. (Filmed at TEDxBoston.) Talk by Erez Lieberman Aiden and Jean-Baptiste Michel. - Tim Hansen: How to read musicF383
Tim Hansen: How to read musicLike an actor's script, a sheet of music instructs a musician on what to play (the pitch) and when to play it (the rhythm). Sheet music may look complicated, but once you've gotten the hang of a few simple elements like notes, bars and clefs, you're ready to rock. Tim Hansen hits the instrumental basics you need to read music. [Directed by Thomas Parrinello, narrated by Tim Hansen]. - Ultrasound surgery -- healing without cuts - Yoav Medan
F389Ultrasound surgery -- healing without cuts - Yoav MedanImagine having a surgery with no knives involved. At TEDMED, Yoav Medan shares a technique that uses MRI to find trouble spots and focused ultrasound to treat such issues as brain lesions, uterine fibroids and several kinds of cancerous growths. Talk by Yoav Medan. - John McWhorter: A brief history of plural word...sF390
John McWhorter: A brief history of plural word...sAll it takes is a simple S to make most English words plural. But it hasn't always worked that way (and there are, of course, exceptions). John McWhorter looks back to the good old days when English was newly split from German -- and books, names and eggs were beek, namen and eggru! [Directed by Lippy, narrated by John McWhorter]. - Ami Angelowicz: The terrors of sleep paralysisF394
Ami Angelowicz: The terrors of sleep paralysisImagine you're fast asleep and then suddenly awake. You want to move but can't, as if someone is sitting on your chest. And you can't even scream! This is sleep paralysis, a creepy but common phenomenon caused by an overlap in REM sleep and waking stages. Ami Angelowicz describes just how pervasive (but harmless) it is and introduces a cast of characters from sleep paralysis around the world. [Directed by Pew36 Animation Studios, narrated by Ami Angelowicz]. - Peter Mende-Siedlecki: Should you trust your first impression?F467
Peter Mende-Siedlecki: Should you trust your first impression?You can't help it; sometimes, you just get a bad feeling about someone that's hard to shake. So, what's happening in your brain when you make that critical (and often lasting) first judgment? Peter Mende-Siedlecki shares the social psychology of first impressions -- and why they may indicate that, deep down, people are basically good. [Directed by TOGETHER: Words+Pictures for Art & Culture, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - The Arctic vs. the Antarctic - Camille Seaman
F472The Arctic vs. the Antarctic - Camille Seaman How can you tell the two poles apart? Where are the penguins? What about the bears? The Arctic pole is located in the Northern Hemisphere within the deep Arctic Ocean, while the Antarctic pole is smack in the middle of the ice-covered Antarctica. Camille Seaman describes how enterprising people and organisms have found ways to reside around both poles despite the frigid temperatures. Lesson by Camille Seaman, animation by Provincia Studio. - The Higgs Field, explained - Don LincolnF544
The Higgs Field, explained - Don LincolnOne of the most significant scientific discoveries of the early 21st century is surely the Higgs boson, but the boson and the Higgs Field that allows for that magic particle are extremely difficult to grasp. Don Lincoln outlines an analogy that all of us can appreciate, starring a large dinner party, a raucous group of physicists, and Peter Higgs himself. Lesson by Don Lincoln, animation by Powerhouse Animation Studios Inc - Michael Molina: What is déjà vu? What is déjà vu?F545
Michael Molina: What is déjà vu? What is déjà vu?You might have felt it -- the feeling that you've experienced something before, but, in reality, the experience is brand new. There are over 40 theories that attempt to explain the phenomenon of déjà vu. Michael Molina explains how neuroimaging and cognitive psychology have narrowed down the theories that could explain that feeling you're having...again. [Directed by Josh Harris, narrated by Michelle Snow]. - Andrew Vanden Heuvel: The moon illusionF565
Andrew Vanden Heuvel: The moon illusionHave you noticed how the full moon looks bigger on the horizon than high overhead? Actually, the two images are exactly the same size -- so why do we perceive them differently? Scientists aren't sure, but there are plenty of intriguing theories. Andrew Vanden Heuvel unravels the details of focus, distance and proportion that contribute to this mystifying optical illusion. [Directed by Kozmonot Animation Studio, narrated by Michelle Snow]. - Brad Troeger: What is love?F570
Brad Troeger: What is love?Is love a signal winding through your neural pathways? A cliche? A cult? Love is easy to compare but difficult to define, maybe because we're fundamentally biased; we try to define love while falling in or out of it. And love feels differently to every person who feels it, but this subjective emotion has evolutionary explanations, too. Brad Troeger takes a shot at the definition of love. [Directed by STK Films, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - Lucianne Walkowicz: Light waves, visible and invisibleF577
Lucianne Walkowicz: Light waves, visible and invisibleEach kind of light has a unique wavelength, but human eyes can only perceive a tiny slice of the full spectrum -- the very narrow range from red to violet. Microwaves, radio waves, x-rays and more are hiding, invisible, just beyond our perception. Lucianne Walkowicz shows us the waves we can't see. [Directed by Pew36 Animation Studios, narrated by Lucianne Walkowicz]. - Aatish Bhatia: The physics of human sperm vs. the physics of the sperm whaleF578
Aatish Bhatia: The physics of human sperm vs. the physics of the sperm whaleTraveling is extremely arduous for microscopic sperm -- think of a human trying to swim in a pool made of...other humans. We can compare the journey of a sperm to that of a sperm whale by calculating the Reynolds number, a prediction of how fluid will behave, often fluctuating due to size of the swimmer. Aatish Bhatia explores the great (albeit tiny) sperm's journey. [Directed by Brad Purnell, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - John McWhorter: Are Elvish, Klingon, Dothraki and Na'vi real languages?F580
John McWhorter: Are Elvish, Klingon, Dothraki and Na'vi real languages?What do Game of Thrones' Dothraki, Avatar's Na'vi, Star Trek's Klingon and LOTR's Elvish have in common? They are all fantasy constructed languages, or conlangs. Conlangs have all the delicious complexities of real languages: a high volume of words, grammar rules, and room for messiness and evolution. John McWhorter explains why these invented languages captivate fans long past the rolling credits. [Directed by Joyce Stenneke, narrated by John McWhorter]. - Amanda Mattes: Kabuki: The people's dramatic artF581
Amanda Mattes: Kabuki: The people's dramatic artThe Japanese dance and theater art of kabuki, derived from the word kabuku, meaning "out of the ordinary," can be traced back to the streets of seventeenth-century Kyoto. Kabuki became a dramatic art for the common people, with its use of makeup and facial expressions rather than masks, as well as a playful take on current events. Amanda Mattes tracks the evolution of kabuki and its place in Japan's rich cultural heritage. [Directed by Tom Gran, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - Addison Anderson: The most groundbreaking scientist you've never heard ofF582
Addison Anderson: The most groundbreaking scientist you've never heard ofSeventeenth-century Danish geologist Nicolas Steno earned his chops at a young age, studying cadavers and drawing anatomic connections between species. Steno made outsized contributions to the field of geology, influencing Charles Lyell, James Hutton and Charles Darwin. Addison Anderson recounts Steno's little-known legacy and lauds his insistence on empiricism over blind theory. [Directed by Anton Bogaty, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - George Zaidan and Charles Morton: The uncertain location of electronsF588
George Zaidan and Charles Morton: The uncertain location of electronsThe tiny atoms that make up our world are made up of even tinier protons, neutrons and electrons. Though the number of protons determines an atom's identity, it's the electrons -- specifically, their exact location outside the nucleus -- that particularly perplex scientists. George Zaidan and Charles Morton show how to make an educated guess of where those itty-bitty freewheeling electrons might be. [Directed by Karrot Animation, narrated by George Zaidan]. - Claudia Aguirre: Why is yawning contagious?F600
Claudia Aguirre: Why is yawning contagious?*Yaaawwwwwn* Did just reading the word make you feel like yawning yourself? Known as contagious yawning, the reasons behind this phenomenon have been attributed to both the physiological and psychological. It's been observed in children as young as four and even in dogs! Claudia Aguirre visits the many intriguing theories that might explain contagious yawning. [Directed by Biljana Labovic, narrated by Julianna Zarzycki]. - Stephanie Warren: The chemistry of cookiesF605
Stephanie Warren: The chemistry of cookiesYou stick cookie dough into an oven, and magically, you get a plate of warm, gooey cookies. Except it's not magic; it's science. Stephanie Warren explains via basic chemistry principles how the dough spreads out, at what temperature we can kill salmonella, and why that intoxicating smell wafting from your oven indicates that the cookies are ready for eating. [Directed by Augenblick Studios, narrated by Addison Anderson]. - Mysteries of vernacular: Lady - Jessica Oreck and Rachael TeelF606
Mysteries of vernacular: Lady - Jessica Oreck and Rachael TeelWhy do we call women ladies? Well, etymologically-speaking, the word comes from the Old English words for hlaf (bread) and daege (maid), which, combined, mean the female head of the household and eventually indicated high social standing. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel follow the word to its contemporary position simply describing a female. Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck. - Mysteries of vernacular: Yankee - Jessica Oreck and Rachael TeelF607
Mysteries of vernacular: Yankee - Jessica Oreck and Rachael TeelIs it a doodle dandy? A baseball team? The origins of the word yankee are unclear, though its usage in America as a pejorative is well-documented. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel track the varying levels of contempt that the word yankee has elicited from the pre-Revolution era to today. Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck. - Rose Eveleth: The loathsome lethal mosquitoF608
Rose Eveleth: The loathsome lethal mosquitoEveryone hates mosquitos. Besides the annoying buzzing and biting, mosquito-borne diseases like malaria kill over a million people each year (plus horses, dogs and cats). And over the past 100 million years, they've gotten good at their job -- sucking up to three times their weight in blood, totally undetected. So shouldn't we just get rid of them? Rose Eveleth shares why scientists aren't sure. [Directed by Karrot Animation, narrated by Rose Eveleth]. - Renée Hlozek: The death of the universeF622
Renée Hlozek: The death of the universeThe shape, contents and future of the universe are all intricately related. We know that it's mostly flat; we know that it's made up of baryonic matter (like stars and planets), but mostly dark matter and dark energy; and we know that it's expanding constantly, so that all stars will eventually burn out into a cold nothingness. Renée Hlozek expands on the beauty of this dark ending. [Directed by Giant Animation Studios, narrated by Renée Hlozek]. - Rose Eveleth: How do we smell?F625
Rose Eveleth: How do we smell?An adult human can distinguish up to 10,000 odors. You use your nose to figure out what to eat, what to buy and even when it's time to take a shower. But how do the molecules in the air get translated into smells in your brain? Rose Eveleth charts the smelly journey through your olfactory epithelium and explains why scent can be so subjective. [Directed by Igor Coric, narrated by Rose Eveleth]. - Is space trying to kill us? - Ron ShaneyfeltF647
Is space trying to kill us? - Ron ShaneyfeltHow likely is it that a massive asteroid will do major damage to Earth and its inhabitants? What about the sun -- is it dying out anytime soon? And the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way -- should we be worried about that? Ron Shaneyfelt assesses the dangers of space. Lesson by Ron Shaneyfelt, animation by Retchy. - A brief history of plural word...s - John McWhorterF648
A brief history of plural word...s - John McWhorterAll it takes is a simple S to make most English words plural. But it hasn't always worked that way (and there are, of course, exceptions). John McWhorter looks back to the good old days when English was newly split from German -- and books, names and eggs were beek, namen and eggru! Lesson by John McWhorter, animation by Lippy.
