TED-Ed
Season 2012
TV-PG
Various intellectual subjects are presented in animation.
Where to Watch Season 2012
130 Episodes
- How containerization shaped the modern world - Sir Harold Evans
E1How containerization shaped the modern world - Sir Harold EvansSometimes a single unlikely idea can have massive impact across the world. Sir Harold Evans, the author of They Made America, describes how frustration drove Malcom McLean, a small-town truck driver, to invent the shipping container. Containerization was born, and it transformed the modern global economy. - Questions no one knows the answers to - Chris AndersonE2
Questions no one knows the answers to - Chris AndersonIn the first of a new TED-Ed series designed to catalyze curiosity, TED Curator Chris Anderson shares his boyhood obsession with quirky questions that seem to have no answers. PS: Full version is published on Mar 17, 2012. - How many universes are there - Chris Anderson
E3How many universes are there - Chris AndersonThe fact that no one knows the answer to this question is what makes it exciting. The story of physics has been one of an ever-expanding understanding of the sheer scale of reality, to the point where physicists are now postulating that there may be far more universes than just our own. Chris Anderson explores the thrilling implications of this idea. - Why can't we see evidence of alien life? - Chris Anderson
E5Why can't we see evidence of alien life? - Chris AndersonStand by for an animated exploration of the famous Fermi Paradox. Given the vast number of planets in the universe, many much older than Earth, why haven't we yet seen obvious signs of alien life? The potential answers to this question are numerous and intriguing, alarming and hopeful. - How pandemics spread - Mark HonigsbaumE7
How pandemics spread - Mark HonigsbaumIn our increasingly globalized world, a single infected person can board a plane and spread a virus across continents. Mark Honigsbaum describes the history of pandemics and how that knowledge can help halt future outbreaks. - The power of simple words - Terin IzilE8
The power of simple words - Terin IzilLong, fancy words designed to show off your intelligence and vocabulary are all very well, but they aren't always the best words. In this short, playful video Terin Izil explains why simple, punchy language is often the clearest way to convey a message. - Deep ocean mysteries and wonders - David Gallo
E9Deep ocean mysteries and wonders - David GalloIn the deepest, darkest parts of the oceans are ecosystems with more diversity than a tropical rainforest. Taking us on a voyage into the ocean -- from the deepest trenches to the remains of the Titanic -- marine biologist David Gallo explores the wonder and beauty of marine life. - How simple ideas lead to scientific discoveries - Adam Savage
E11How simple ideas lead to scientific discoveries - Adam SavageAdam Savage walks through two spectacular examples of profound scientific discoveries that came from simple, creative methods anyone could have followed -- Eratosthenes' calculation of the Earth's circumference around 200 BC and Hippolyte Fizeau's measurement of the speed of light in 1849. - Symbiosis: A surprising tale of species cooperation - David GonzalesE12
Symbiosis: A surprising tale of species cooperation - David GonzalesDifferent species often depend on one another. David Gonzales describes the remarkable relationship of the Clark's nutcracker and the whitebark pine, to illustrate the interdependency known as symbiosis. - Questions no one knows the answers to (Full Version) - Chris AndersonE13
Questions no one knows the answers to (Full Version) - Chris AndersonIn the first of a new TED-Ed series designed to catalyze curiosity, TED Curator Chris Anderson shares his boyhood obsession with quirky questions that seem to have no answers. - Poetic stickup: Put the financial aid in the bag - Carvens Lissaint
E14Poetic stickup: Put the financial aid in the bag - Carvens LissaintAt TEDYouth 2011, Performance artist Carvens Lissaint shows how to use language, metaphor and imagery to express a powerful idea -- as in this spoken word performance, a stirring plea to make college education more accessible. - The real origin of the franchise - Sir Harold Evans
E15The real origin of the franchise - Sir Harold EvansOne of the most successful business models is the franchise, but it didn't originate with McDonald's. Sir Harold Evans, the author of They Made America, describes the remarkable story of a beauty salon that allowed hundreds of women to own their own businesses. Lesson by Sir Harold Evans, animation by Sunni Brown. - The secret life of plankton - Tierney Thys
E16The secret life of plankton - Tierney ThysNew videography techniques have opened up the oceans' microscopic ecosystem, revealing it to be both mesmerizingly beautiful and astoundingly complex. Marine biologist Tierney Thys teamed with Christian Sardet (CNRS/Tara Oceans), Noé Sardet and Sharif Mirshak to use footage from the Plankton Chronicles project to create a film designed to ignite wonder and curiosity about this hidden world that underpins our own food chain. Lesson by Tierney Thys. - Just how small is an atom? - Jonathan Bergmann
E18Just how small is an atom? - Jonathan BergmannJust how small are atoms? And what's inside them? The answers turn out to be astounding, even for those who think they know. This fast-paced animation uses spectacular metaphors (imagine a blueberry the size of a football stadium!) to give a visceral sense of the building blocks that make our world. Lesson by Jonathan Bergmann, animation by Cognitive Media. - Exponential Growth: How Folding Paper Can Get You to the Moon - Adrian Paenza
E19Exponential Growth: How Folding Paper Can Get You to the Moon - Adrian PaenzaCan folding a piece of paper 45 times get you to the moon? By seeing what happens when folding just one piece of paper, we see the unbelievable potential of exponential growth. This lesson will leave you wanting to grab a piece of paper to see how many times you can fold it! - Sex determination: More complicated than you thought - Aaron ReedyE20
Sex determination: More complicated than you thought - Aaron ReedyFrom something as small and complex as a chromosome to something as seemingly simple as the weather, sex determination systems vary significantly across the animal kingdom. Biologist and teacher Aaron Reedy shows us the amazing differences between species when it comes to determination of gender. Lesson by Aaron Reedy, animation by BuzzCo. - One is one ... or is it? - Christopher DanielsonE24
One is one ... or is it? - Christopher DanielsonTED-Ed Lesson: One bag of apples, one apple, one slice of apple -- which of these is one unit? Explore the basic unit of math (explained by a trip to the grocery store!) and discover the many meanings ... - The key to media's hidden codes - Ben BeatonE25
The key to media's hidden codes - Ben BeatonColors, camera angles and logos in the media can all prompt immediate associations with emotions, activities and memories. Learn to decode the intricate system of symbols that are a part of everyday life -- from advertising messages to traffic signs. - The wacky history of cell theory - Lauren Royal-Woods
E26The wacky history of cell theory - Lauren Royal-WoodsScientific discovery isn't as simple as one good experiment. The weird and wonderful history of cell theory illuminates the twists and turns that came together to build the foundations of biology. - How to speed up chemical reactions (and get a date) - Aaron SamsE27
How to speed up chemical reactions (and get a date) - Aaron SamsThe complex systems of high school dating and chemical reactions may have more in common than you think. Explore five rules for speeding up chemical reactions in the lab that might just land you a date to a dance! - How do pain relievers work? - George ZaidanE28
How do pain relievers work? - George ZaidanSome people take aspirin or ibuprofen to treat everyday aches and pains, but how exactly do the different classes of pain relievers work? Learn about the basic physiology of how humans experience pain, and the mechanics of the medicines we've invented to block or circumvent that discomfort. - Calculating the odds of intelligent alien life - Jill TarterE29
Calculating the odds of intelligent alien life - Jill TarterCould there be intelligent life on other planets? This question has piqued imagination and curiosity for decades. Explore the answer with the Drake Equation -- a mathematical formula that calculates the possibility of undiscovered life. - The case against "good" and "bad" - Marlee NeelE30
The case against "good" and "bad" - Marlee NeelDon’t take the easy route! Instead, use this little trick to improve your writing -- let go of the words “good” and “bad,” and push yourself to illustrate, elucidate and illuminate your world with language. - The survival of the sea turtle - Scott Gass
E32The survival of the sea turtle - Scott GassWatch the miraculous journey of infant sea turtles as these tiny animals run the gauntlet of predators and harsh conditions. Then, in numbers, see how human behavior has made their tough lives even more challenging. - Music as a language - Victor Wooten
E36Music as a language - Victor WootenMusic is a powerful communication tool--it causes us to laugh, cry, think and question. Bassist and five-time Grammy winner, Victor Wooten, asks us to approach music the same way we learn verbal language--by embracing mistakes and playing as often as possible. - The History of Keeping Time - Karen Mensing
E37The History of Keeping Time - Karen MensingWhere did time-telling come from? What are time zones and why are there so many of them? Get the answers to these questions and more in this journey through the history of time -- from sundials to hourglasses to modern clocks. - Logarithms, Explained - Steve KellyE38
Logarithms, Explained - Steve KellyWhat are logarithms and why are they useful? Get the basics on these critical mathematical functions -- and discover why smart use of logarithms can determine whether your eyes turn red at the swimming pool this summer. Lesson by Steve Kelly, animation by TED-Ed. - How fiction can change reality - Jessica Wise
E39How fiction can change reality - Jessica WiseReading and stories can be an escape from real life, a window into another world -- but have you ever considered how new fictional experiences might change your perspective on real, everyday life? From Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter, learn how popular fiction can spark public dialogue and shape culture. - Capturing authentic narratives - Michele Weldon
E40Capturing authentic narratives - Michele WeldonJournalism can be much more than reporting. An authentic, human narrative touches audiences and keeps them reading. Learn how to shape a human-centered news story, and the importance of facts, context and heart. - What happens if you guess - Leigh Nataro
E41What happens if you guess - Leigh NataroWill it rain tomorrow? How likely is your favorite team to win the Super Bowl? Questions like these are answered through the mathematics of probability. Watch this artistic visualization of your odds of passing a test if you don’t know any of the answers. - Greeting the world in peace - Jackie Jenkins
E42Greeting the world in peace - Jackie JenkinsConflict and cultural clashes are a part of our global reality, but so is the universal desire for peace. From Bangladesh to Myanmar to Lesotho, discover this inspiring common sentiment in traditional greetings of peace. - How taking a bath led to Archimedes' principle - Mark Salata
E43How taking a bath led to Archimedes' principle - Mark SalataStories of discovery and invention often begin with a problem that needs solving. Summoned by the king to investigate a suspicious goldsmith, the early Greek mathematician Archimedes stumbles on the principle that would make him famous. - An introduction to mathematical theorems - Scott KennedyE44
An introduction to mathematical theorems - Scott KennedyEuclid of Alexandria revolutionized the way that mathematics is written, presented or thought about, and introduced the concept of mathematical proofs. Discover what it takes to move from a loose theory or idea to a universally convincing proof. Lesson by Scott Kennedy, animation by Karrot Animation. - How big is a mole? (Not the animal, the other one.) - Daniel Dulek
E45How big is a mole? (Not the animal, the other one.) - Daniel DulekThe word “mole” suggests a small, furry burrowing animal to many. But in this lesson, we look at the concept of the mole in chemistry. Learn the incredible magnitude of the mole--and how something so big can help us calculate the tiniest particles in the world. - A clever way to estimate enormous numbers - Michael Mitchell
E46A clever way to estimate enormous numbers - Michael MitchellHave you ever tried to guess how many pieces of candy there are in a jar? Or tackled a mindbender like: “How many piano tuners are there in Chicago?” Physicist Enrico Fermi was very good at problems like these -- learn how he used the power of 10 to make amazingly fast estimations of big numbers. - Why the shape of your screen matters - Brian GervaseE47
Why the shape of your screen matters - Brian GervaseWatching a movie at home isn’t quite the same experience as seeing it at a movie theater -- but why? Learn how changes in aspect ratio affect every film, and why your television might not be delivering the whole picture. - What is chirality and how did it get in my molecules? - Michael EvansE51
What is chirality and how did it get in my molecules? - Michael EvansImprove your understanding of molecular properties with this lesson on the fascinating property of chirality. Your hands are the secret to understanding the strange similarity between two molecules that look almost exactly alike, but are not perfect mirror images. - The art of the metaphor - Jane HirshfieldE52
The art of the metaphor - Jane HirshfieldHow do metaphors help us better understand the world? And, what makes a good metaphor? Explore these questions with writers like Langston Hughes and Carl Sandburg, who have mastered the art of bringing a scene or emotion to life. - Making sense of spelling - Gina CookeE53
Making sense of spelling - Gina CookeLet’s Begin… What can spelling tell us about relationships between words? While spelling may sometimes seem random or unexpected, this lesson illuminates how peeling back the layers of spelling helps us understand the complex history and meaningful structure of words. - What's invisible? More than you think - John Lloyd
E54What's invisible? More than you think - John LloydGravity. The stars in day. Thoughts. The human genome. Time. Atoms. So much of what really matters in the world is impossible to see. A stunning animation of John Lloyd's classic TEDTalk from 2009, which will make you question what you actually know. - The power of a great introduction - Carolyn MohrE55
The power of a great introduction - Carolyn MohrNever underestimate the power of an intriguing start. When analyzing the literary greats like Charles Dickens and Kurt Vonnegut, be inspired by their craft and learn how to write a tantalizing introduction and strong thesis. - Why do competitors open their stores next to one another? - Jac de Haan
E56Why do competitors open their stores next to one another? - Jac de HaanWhy are all the gas stations, cafes and restaurants in one crowded spot? As two competitive cousins vie for ice-cream-selling domination on one small beach, discover how game theory and the Nash Equilibrium inform these retail hotspots. - The twisting tale of DNA - Judith Hauck
E58The twisting tale of DNA - Judith HauckWhat do a man, a mushroom, and an elephant have in common? A very long and simple double helix molecule makes us more similar and much more different than any other living thing. But, how does a simple molecule determine the form and function of so many different living things? - The ABC's of gas: Avogadro, Boyle, Charles - Brian Bennett
E61The ABC's of gas: Avogadro, Boyle, Charles - Brian BennettHow can bottles and balloons help explain the different laws that govern gas? See how Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law, and Avogadro’s Law help us understand the laws that govern gas properties. - Describing the invisible properties of gas - Brian BennettE62
Describing the invisible properties of gas - Brian BennettHow do you explain the properties of something we can’t see? See how scientists use scientific principles, such as gravity, to observe gases. This lesson explores gases and how we have come to know what we know about them. - How does math guide our ships at sea? - George Christoph
E63How does math guide our ships at sea? - George ChristophWithout math, would our seafaring ancestors ever have seen the world? Great mathematical thinkers and their revolutionary discoveries have an incredible story. Explore the beginnings of logarithms through the history of navigation, adventure and new worlds. - Trevor Maber: Rethinking thinkingE64
Trevor Maber: Rethinking thinkingEvery day, we meet people and process our interactions-- making inferences and developing beliefs about the world around us. In this lesson, Trevor Maber introduces us to the idea of a 'ladder of inference' and a process for rethinking the way we interact. [Directed by Biljana Labovic, narrated by Trevor Maber]. - Sending a sundial to Mars - Bill Nye
E65Sending a sundial to Mars - Bill NyeBill Nye, otherwise known as The Science Guy, inherited his father's fascination with sundials. And so he campaigned to have sundials aboard the Spirit and Opportunity Mars exploration rovers. A look at how a small device reveals big implications as to our place in space. - How inventions change history (for better and for worse) - Kenneth C. Davis
E66How inventions change history (for better and for worse) - Kenneth C. DavisInvented in 1793, the cotton gin changed history for good and bad. By allowing one field hand to do the work of 10, it powered a new industry that brought wealth and power to the American South -- but, tragically, it also multiplied and prolonged the use of slave labor. Kenneth C. Davis lauds innovation, while warning us of unintended consequences. - The city of walls: Constantinople - Lars BrownworthE67
The city of walls: Constantinople - Lars BrownworthThe world owes much of its cultural legacy to Constantinople’s walls. When Constantinople was under siege by neighboring enemies, the Roman city’s elaborate system of moats, outer walls, and inner walls stood tall. Surviving numerous fire attacks, the walls were eventually brought down by more modern tools of warfare, but, thankfully, classical culture survived. - Diagnosing a zombie: Brain and body (Part one) - Tim Verstynen & Bradley VoytekE68
Diagnosing a zombie: Brain and body (Part one) - Tim Verstynen & Bradley VoytekZombies eat brains. They are also, like all of us, driven by brain functions. What is happening in their brains to make them act as they do? In this intriguing dialogue, Tim Verstynen & Bradley Voytek apply the various human medical possibilities that make zombies...zombies. - The Making of the American Constitution - Judy Walton
E69The Making of the American Constitution - Judy WaltonHow did a meeting intended to revise the Articles of Confederation lead to the new Constitution for the United States? Discover how a handful of men--sitting in sweltering heat and shrouded by secrecy--changed the course of history for America in 1787. - Diagnosing a zombie: brain and behavior (Part two) - Tim Verstynen & Bradley VoytekE70
Diagnosing a zombie: brain and behavior (Part two) - Tim Verstynen & Bradley VoytekHow are different brain stimulations involved with human behaviors--and how can observing a zombie help us understand the brain? In the second part of the Diagnosing Zombies series, two scientists continue to ponder the erratic behaviors of a zombie to explore the relationship between the brain and behavior. - Gerrymandering: How drawing jagged lines can impact an election - Christina GreerE71
Gerrymandering: How drawing jagged lines can impact an election - Christina GreerDistrict lines, and the groups of voters within them, may seem arbitrary, but a lot of thought (and political bickering) is put into these carefully drawn lines. From “packing” a district to “cracking” a district--learn how the shape of districts impacts political parties during election season. - Ray Laurence: A glimpse of teenage life in ancient Rome
E72Ray Laurence: A glimpse of teenage life in ancient RomeWelcome to the world of Lucius Popidius Secundus a 17-year old living in Rome in 73 AD. His life is a typical one of arranged marriages coming-of-age festivals and communal baths. Take a look at this exquisitely detailed lesson on life of a typical Roman teenager two thousand years ago. [Lesson by Ray Laurence, directed by Cognitive Media, narrated by Ray Laurence]. - A 3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights - Belinda StutzmanE73
A 3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights - Belinda StutzmanDaily, Americans exercise their rights secured by the Constitution. The most widely discussed and debated part of the Constitution is known as the Bill of Rights. Belinda Stutzman provides a refresher course on exactly what the first ten amendments grant each and every American citizen. - Beware of nominalizations (AKA zombie nouns) - Helen Sword
E74Beware of nominalizations (AKA zombie nouns) - Helen SwordFew mistakes sour good writing like nominalizations, or, as Helen Sword likes to call them, zombie nouns. Zombie nouns transform simple and straightforward prose into verbose and often confusing writing. Keep your nouns away from elongating nominalizations! - Christina Greer: Does your vote count? The Electoral College explainedE75
Christina Greer: Does your vote count? The Electoral College explainedYou vote but then what? Discover how your individual vote contributes to the popular vote and your state's electoral vote in different ways--and see how votes are counted on both state and national levels. [Lesson by Christina Greer, directed by Mark Phillips, narrated by Christina Greer]. - The oddities of the first American election - Kenneth C. DavisE76
The oddities of the first American election - Kenneth C. DavisHow did George Washington become the first president of the United States in 1789? Who got to decide--or vote--who would become president, and how did they decide the winner? Kenneth C. Davis unveils the surprising story behind America’s first presidential election. - How life came to land - Tierney ThysE77
How life came to land - Tierney ThysSpiders and crustaceans, also known as arthropods, led the charge from water to land--now outnumbering all terrestrial animals. But what about arthropods makes them so adaptable to life on land? Marine biologist Tierney Thys, and Noé Sardet and Sharif Mirshak of the Plankton Chronicles Project, shows us a world of fascinating animals and their habitats. - A needle in countless haystacks: Finding habitable worlds - Ariel AnbarE78
A needle in countless haystacks: Finding habitable worlds - Ariel AnbarOut of billions of galaxies and billions of stars, how do we find Earth-like habitable worlds? What is essential to support life as we know it? Ariel Anbar provides a checklist for finding life on other planets. - Dark matter: How does it explain a star's speed? - Don LincolnE79
Dark matter: How does it explain a star's speed? - Don LincolnAll the stars in a spiral galaxy rotate around a center -- but to astronomers, the speed that each star travels wasn't making sense. Why didn't stars slow down toward the edges as expected? Don Lincoln explains how a mysterious force called dark matter is (possibly) the answer -- and why the search for an answer matters. - An anti-hero of one's own - Tim Adams
E80An anti-hero of one's own - Tim AdamsHow can an antihero teach us about the heroic--and sometimes, the unheroic--characteristics that shape a story’s protagonist? From jealousy to self-doubt, Tim Adams challenges us to consider how antiheroes reflect the very mortal weaknesses that can be found within all of us. - Does stress cause pimples? - Claudia AguirreE82
Does stress cause pimples? - Claudia AguirreWhich came first: the stress or the pimples? The physical reactions to stress can cause major breakouts, which, in turn, can be even more stressful! Claudia Aguirre gives just one more reason to get that stress under control. - How social media can make history - Clay Shirky
E83How social media can make history - Clay ShirkyWhile news from Iran streams to the world, Clay Shirky shows how Facebook, Twitter, and TXTs help citizens in repressive regimes report on real news, bypassing censors (however briefly). The end of top-down control of news is changing the nature of politics. - Would you weigh less in an elevator? - Carol HeddenE85
Would you weigh less in an elevator? - Carol HeddenWhat happens when you jump in a moving elevator? Do you weigh more when you're going up and less when you're going down? Carol Hedden explores the relationship between gravity, weight, and relative motion, using a moving elevator to explain the fascinating physics. - Three anti-social skills to improve your writing - Nadia KalmanE86
Three anti-social skills to improve your writing - Nadia KalmanYou need social skills to have a conversation in real life -- but they're quite different from the skills you need to write good dialogue. Educator Nadia Kalman suggests a few "anti-social skills," like eavesdropping and muttering to yourself, that can help you write an effective dialogue for your next story. - The genius of Mendeleev's periodic table - Lou SericoE87
The genius of Mendeleev's periodic table - Lou SericoThe elements had been listed and carefully arranged before Dmitri Mendeleev. They had even been organized by similar properties before. So why is Mendeelev’s periodic table the one that has endured? Lou Serico explains via Ekaaluminium, an element whose existence Mendeelev predicted decades before it was discovered. - The beauty of data visualization - David McCandless
E88The beauty of data visualization - David McCandlessDavid McCandless turns complex data sets, like worldwide military spending, media buzz, and Facebook status updates, into beautiful, simple diagrams that tease out unseen patterns and connections. Good design, he suggests, is the best way to navigate information glut -- and it may just change the way we see the world. - The beautiful math of coral - Margaret Wertheim
E89The beautiful math of coral - Margaret WertheimScience writer Margaret Wertheim re-creates the creatures of the coral reefs using a technique invented by a mathematician -- simultaneously celebrating the amazements of the reef and deep-diving into the hyperbolic underpinnings of coral creation. - DNA: The book of you - Joe HansonE91
DNA: The book of you - Joe HansonYour body is made of cells -- but how does a single cell know to become part of your nose, instead of your toes? The answer is in your body's instruction book: DNA. Joe Hanson compares DNA to a detailed manual for building a person out of cells -- with 46 chapters (chromosomes) and hundreds of thousands of pages covering every part of you. - How did English evolve? - Kate Gardoqui
E92How did English evolve? - Kate GardoquiWhat is the difference between "a hearty welcome" and "a cordial reception"? In a brief, action-packed history of the English language, Kate Gardoqui explains why these semantically equal phrases evoke such different images. - Dance vs. PowerPoint, a modest proposal - John Bohannon
E93Dance vs. PowerPoint, a modest proposal - John BohannonUse dancers instead of PowerPoint. That's science writer John Bohannon's "modest proposal." In this spellbinding choreographed talk he makes his case by example, aided by dancers from Black Label Movement. - How does work...work? - Peter BohacekE94
How does work...work? - Peter BohacekThe concepts of work and power help us unlock and understand many of the physical laws that govern our universe. In this Lesson, Peter Bohacek explores the interplay of each concept when applied to two common objects---a lightbulb and a grandfather clock. - Shedding light on dark matter - Patricia Burchat
E95Shedding light on dark matter - Patricia BurchatPhysicist Patricia Burchat sheds light on two basic ingredients of our universe: dark matter and dark energy. Comprising 96% of the universe between them, they can't be directly measured, but their influence is immense. - The birth of a word - Deb Roy
E96The birth of a word - Deb RoyMIT researcher Deb Roy wanted to understand how his infant son learned language -- so he wired up his house with video cameras to catch every moment (with exceptions) of his son's life, then parsed 90,000 hours of home video to watch "gaaaa" slowly turn into "water." This astonishing, data-rich research has deep implications for how we learn. - High-tech art (with a sense of humor) - Aparna Rao
E97High-tech art (with a sense of humor) - Aparna RaoArtist and TED Fellow Aparna Rao reimagines the familiar in surprising, often humorous ways. With her collaborator Soren Pors, Rao creates high-tech art installations -- a typewriter that sends emails, a camera that tracks you through the room only to make you invisible on screen -- that put a playful spin on ordinary objects and interactions. - Let's talk about sex - John Bohannon and Black Label Movement
E98Let's talk about sex - John Bohannon and Black Label MovementWhat would you tell your younger self about sex if you could? (Starting with the big question: Why does it exist in the first place?) Mixing talk and dance, John Bohannon and Black Label Movement explore why sex exists -- and implore adults to talk honestly to the kids in their lives about the confusion and joy of human sexuality. - What makes a hero? - Matthew WinklerE99
What makes a hero? - Matthew WinklerWhat trials unite not only Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins but many of literature's most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes? Matthew Winkler takes us step-by-step through the crucial events that make or break a hero. - How do cancer cells behave differently from healthy ones? - George ZaidanE100
How do cancer cells behave differently from healthy ones? - George ZaidanHow do cancer cells grow? How does chemotherapy fight cancer (and cause negative side effects)? The answers lie in cell division. George Zaidan explains how rapid cell division is cancer’s "strength" -- and also its weakness - Pizza physics (New York-style) - Colm Kelleher
E101Pizza physics (New York-style) - Colm KelleherPeople love eating pizza, but every style of pie has a different consistency. If "New York-style" -- thin, flat, and large -- is your texture of choice, then you've probably eaten a slice that was as messy as it was delicious. Colm Kelleher outlines the scientific and mathematical properties that make folding a slice the long way the best alternative ... to wearing a bib. - Radioactivity: Expect the unexpected - Steve WeatherallE105
Radioactivity: Expect the unexpected - Steve WeatherallNeutrons don’t change into protons. Except, sometimes, they do. Radioactivity is the process under which the nucleus can change spontaneously from one element to another. Steve Weatherell suggests that we acknowledge both the usefulness and danger inherent in harvesting radioactivity. - Inside a cartoonist's world - Liza DonnellyE106
Inside a cartoonist's world - Liza DonnellyFrom cave drawings to the Sunday paper, artists have been visualizing ideas -- cartoons -- for centuries. New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly walks us through the many stages every cartoon goes through, starting with an idea and turning into something that connects us on a deeply human level. - Solving the puzzle of the periodic table - Eric RosadoE107
Solving the puzzle of the periodic table - Eric RosadoHow did the periodic table of elements revolutionize our understanding of the world? What scientists contributed to the table we have today? Eric Rosado discusses the key people and discoveries that have molded our understanding of chemistry today. - Situational irony: The opposite of what you think - Christopher WarnerE108
Situational irony: The opposite of what you think - Christopher WarnerLeaps and bounds separate that which is ironic and that which many people simply say is ironic. Christopher Warner wants to set the record straight: Something is ironic if and only if it is the exact opposite of what you would expect. - Retrofitting suburbia - Ellen Dunham-JonesE109
Retrofitting suburbia - Ellen Dunham-JonesEllen Dunham-Jones fires the starting shot for the next big sustainable design project: retrofitting suburbia. To come: Dying malls rehabilitated, dead "big box" stores reinhabited, and parking lots transformed into thriving wetlands. - A global culture to fight extremism - Maajid Nawaz
E110A global culture to fight extremism - Maajid NawazWhy do transnational extremist organizations succeed where democratic movements have a harder time taking hold? Maajid Nawaz, a former Islamist extremist, asks for new grassroots stories and global social activism to spread democracy in the face of nationalism and xenophobia in this powerful Talk from TEDGlobal 2011. - The demise of guys - Philip ZimbardoE111
The demise of guys - Philip ZimbardoPsychologist Philip Zimbardo asks, "Why are boys struggling?" He shares some stats (lower graduation rates, greater worries about intimacy and relationships) and the reasons behind them, while challenging the TED community to think about solutions. - Gina Cooke: Why is there a "b" in doubt?E112
Gina Cooke: Why is there a "b" in doubt?Say the word "doubt" aloud. What is that "b" doing there? Does it have any purpose? Gina Cooke explains the long and winding history of "doubt" and why the spelling though it seems random is a wink to its storied past. [Directed by David Bernal, narrated by Gina Cooke]. - Colm Kelleher: What is color?E113
Colm Kelleher: What is color?Have you ever wondered what color is? In this first installment of a series on light, Colm Kelleher describes the physics behind colors-- why the colors we see are related to the period of motion and the frequency of waves. [Directed by Alex Rupert and Bernard Tan, narrated by Colm Kelleher]. - A tap dancer's craft - Andrew NemrE114
A tap dancer's craft - Andrew NemrTap dance, born out of the marriage of African and European dance traditions, went from extremely popular to barely existent to grand revival, all in under a century. Professional tap dancer and TED Fellow Andrew Nemr taps into the history of this truly American art form. - Curiosity, discovery and gecko feet - Robert FullE115
Curiosity, discovery and gecko feet - Robert FullThe scientific method is widely used to make many scientific discoveries, but Robert Full suggests the possibility of finding world-changing results with less formulaic approaches. In his TEDYouth Talk, Full describes the unlikely way he studied gecko’s feet and how these beneficial discoveries could eventually save lives. - TED Prize wish: Protect our oceans - Sylvia Earle
E116TED Prize wish: Protect our oceans - Sylvia EarleLegendary ocean researcher Sylvia Earle shares astonishing images of the ocean -- and shocking stats about its rapid decline -- as she makes her TED Prize wish: that we will join her in protecting the vital blue heart of the planet. Sylvia Earle has been at the frontier of deep ocean exploration for four decades. She's led more than 50 undersea expeditions, and she's been an equally tireless advocate for our oceans and the creatures who live in them. - Breaking the illusion of skin color - Nina Jablonski
E117Breaking the illusion of skin color - Nina JablonskiNina Jablonski says that differing skin colors are simply our bodies' adaptation to varied climates and levels of UV exposure. Charles Darwin disagreed with this theory, however, as Jablonski explains, Darwin did not have access to NASA. Nina Jablonski is author of Skin: A Natural History, a close look at human skin's many remarkable traits: its colors, its sweatiness, the fact that we decorate it. - See Yemen through my eyes - Nadia Al-Sakkaf
E119See Yemen through my eyes - Nadia Al-SakkafAs political turmoil in Yemen continues, the editor-in-chief of the Yemen Times, Nadia Al-Sakkaf, talks at TEDGlobal with host Pat Mitchell. Al-Sakkaf's independent, English-language paper is vital for sharing news -- and for sharing a new vision of Yemen and of that country's women as equal partners in work and change. - Measuring what makes life worthwhile - Chip Conley
E120Measuring what makes life worthwhile - Chip ConleyWhen the dot-com bubble burst, hotelier Chip Conley went in search of a business model based on happiness. In an old friendship with an employee and in the wisdom of a Buddhist king, he learned that success comes from what you count. Chip Conley creates joyful hotels, where he hopes his employees, customers and investors alike can realize their full potential. His books share that philosophy with the wider world. - Redefining the dictionary - Erin McKean
E121Redefining the dictionary - Erin McKeanIs the beloved paper dictionary doomed to extinction? In this infectiously exuberant talk, leading lexicographer Erin McKean looks at the many ways today's print dictionary is poised for transformation. As the CEO and co-founder of new online dictionary Wordnik, Erin McKean is reshaping not just dictionaries but how we interact with language itself. - The moral roots of liberals and conservatives - Jonathan Haidt
E122The moral roots of liberals and conservatives - Jonathan HaidtPsychologist Jonathan Haidt studies the five moral values that form the basis of our political choices, whether we're left, right, or center. In this eye-opening talk, he pinpoints the moral values that liberals and conservatives tend to honor most. Jonathan Haidt studies how -- and why -- we evolved to be moral. By understanding more about our moral roots, his hope is that we can learn to be civil and open-minded. - TED-Ed Website TourE125
TED-Ed Website TourThe TED-Ed team provides an in depth look at the powerful features of the newly-launched TED-ED Beta website. You'll learn how TED-Ed videos are created, how they are arranged, about the learning materials that surround each video, and how you can create customized or "flipped" lessons based on any TED-Ed video or any video on YouTube.
