TED Talks
Season 2009
TV-PG
Series of talks about technology, entertainment, and design.
Where to Watch Season 2009
219 Episodes
- Kary Mullis: Celebrating the scientific experimentE1
Kary Mullis: Celebrating the scientific experimentBiochemist Kary Mullis talks about the basis of modern science: the experiment. Sharing tales from the 17th century and from his own backyard-rocketry days, Mullis celebrates the curiosity, inspiration and rigor of good science in all its forms. - John Maeda: My journey in design, from tofu to RISDE2
John Maeda: My journey in design, from tofu to RISDDesigner John Maeda talks about his path from a Seattle tofu factory to the Rhode Island School of Design, where he became president in 2008. Maeda, a tireless experimenter and a witty observer, explores the crucial moment when design met computers. - Paul Sereno: What can fossils teach us?
E3Paul Sereno: What can fossils teach us?Strange landscapes, scorching heat and (sometimes) mad crocodiles await scientists seeking clues to evolution's genius. Paleontologist Paul Sereno talks about his surprising encounters with prehistory -- and a new way to help students join the adventure. - Paul Moller: Take a ride in the SkycarE4
Paul Moller: Take a ride in the SkycarPaul Moller talks about the future of personal air travel -- the marriage of autos and flight that will give us true freedom to travel off-road. He shows two things he's working on: the Moller Skycar (a jet + car) and a passenger-friendly hovering disc. - Greg Lynn: How calculus is changing architectureE5
Greg Lynn: How calculus is changing architectureGreg Lynn talks about the mathematical roots of architecture -- and how calculus and digital tools allow modern designers to move beyond the traditional building forms. A glorious church in Queens (and a titanium tea set) illustrate his theory. - Scott McCloud: Understanding comics
E7Scott McCloud: Understanding comicsIn this unmissable look at the magic of comics, Scott McCloud bends the presentation format into a cartoon-like experience, where colorful diversions whiz through childhood fascinations and imagined futures that our eyes can hear and touch. - Peter Reinhart: The art of baking breadE8
Peter Reinhart: The art of baking breadBatch to batch, crust to crust ... In tribute to the beloved staple food, baking master Peter Reinhart reflects on the cordial couplings (wheat and yeast, starch and heat) that give us our daily bread. Try not to eat a slice. - Joseph Pine: What consumers want
E9Joseph Pine: What consumers wantCustomers want to feel what they buy is authentic, but "Mass Customization" author Joseph Pine says selling authenticity is tough because, well, there's no such thing. He talks about a few experiences that may be artificial but make millions anyway. - Paula Scher: Great design is serious (not solemn)E10
Paula Scher: Great design is serious (not solemn)Paula Scher looks back at a life in design (she's done album covers, books, the Citibank logo ...) and pinpoints the moment when she started really having fun. Look for gorgeous designs and images from her legendary career. - David Carson: Design, discovery and humorE11
David Carson: Design, discovery and humorGreat design is a never-ending journey of discovery -- for which it helps to pack a healthy sense of humor. Sociologist and surfer-turned-designer David Carson walks through a gorgeous (and often quite funny) slide deck of his work and found images. - Barry Schuler: An introduction to genomicsE13
Barry Schuler: An introduction to genomicsWhat is genomics? How will it affect our lives? In this intriguing primer on the genomics revolution, entrepreneur Barry Schuler says we can at least expect healthier, tastier food. He suggests we start with the pinot noir grape, to build better wines. - Woody Norris: Hypersonic sound and other inventionsE15
Woody Norris: Hypersonic sound and other inventionsWoody Norris shows off two of his inventions that treat sound in new ways, and talks about his untraditional approach to inventing and education. As he puts it: "Almost nothing has been invented yet." So -- what's next? - Peter Ward: Earth’s mass extinctionsE16
Peter Ward: Earth’s mass extinctionsAsteroid strikes get all the coverage, but "Medea Hypothesis" author Peter Ward argues that most of Earth's mass extinctions were caused by lowly bacteria. The culprit, a poison called hydrogen sulfide, may have an interesting application in medicine. - Aimee Mullins: Changing my legs - and my mindsetE17
Aimee Mullins: Changing my legs - and my mindsetIn this TED archive video from 1998, paralympic sprinter Aimee Mullins talks about her record-setting career as a runner, and about the amazing carbon-fiber prosthetic legs (then a prototype) that helped her cross the finish line. - Joe DeRisi: Hunting the next killer virusE18
Joe DeRisi: Hunting the next killer virusBiochemist Joe DeRisi talks about amazing new ways to diagnose viruses (and treat the illnesses they cause) using DNA. His work may help us understand malaria, SARS, avian flu -- and the 60 percent of everyday viral infections that go undiagnosed. - Natalie MacMaster: Playing the Cape Breton fiddleE19
Natalie MacMaster: Playing the Cape Breton fiddleNatalie MacMaster and her musical partner Donnell Leahy play several tunes from the Cape Breton tradition -- a sprightly, soulful style of folk fiddling. It's an inspired collaboration that will have you clapping (and maybe dancing) along. - Bill Gross: Great ideas for finding new energyE20
Bill Gross: Great ideas for finding new energyBill Gross, the founder of Idealab, talks about his life as an inventor, starting with his high-school company selling solar energy plans and kits. Learn here about a groundbreaking system for solar cells -- and some questions we haven't yet solved. - Bill Gates: Mosquitos, malaria and educationE21
Bill Gates: Mosquitos, malaria and educationBill Gates hopes to solve some of the world's biggest problems using a new kind of philanthropy. In a passionate and, yes, funny 18 minutes, he asks us to consider two big questions and how we might answer them. - Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative geniusE22
Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius"Eat, Pray, Love" author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk. - David Merrill: Toy tiles that talk to each otherE23
David Merrill: Toy tiles that talk to each otherMIT grad student David Merrill demos Siftables -- cookie-sized, computerized tiles you can stack and shuffle in your hands. These future-toys can do math, play music, and talk to their friends, too. Is this the next thing in hands-on learning? - Juan Enriquez: The next species of humanE25
Juan Enriquez: The next species of humanEven as mega-banks topple, Juan Enriquez says the big reboot is yet to come. But don't look for it on your ballot -- or in the stock exchange. It'll come from science labs, and it promises keener bodies and minds. Our kids are going to be ... different. - José Antonio Abreu: The El Sistema music revolutionE26
José Antonio Abreu: The El Sistema music revolutionJosé Antonio Abreu is the charismatic founder of a youth orchestra system that has transformed thousands of kids' lives in Venezuela. He shares his amazing story and unveils a TED Prize wish that could have a big impact in the US and beyond. - Gustavo Dudamel: Incredible high school musicians from Venezuela!E27
Gustavo Dudamel: Incredible high school musicians from Venezuela!The Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra contains the best high school musicians from Venezuela's life-changing music program, El Sistema. Led here by Gustavo Dudamel, they play Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10, 2nd movement, and Arturo Márquez' Danzón No. 2. - Sylvia Earle: How to protect the oceansE28
Sylvia Earle: How to protect the oceansLegendary 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. - Jill Tarter: Why the search for alien intelligence mattersE29
Jill Tarter: Why the search for alien intelligence mattersThe SETI Institute's Jill Tarter makes her TED Prize wish: to accelerate our search for cosmic company. Using a growing array of radio telescopes, she and her team listen for patterns that may be a sign of intelligence elsewhere in the universe. - Ed Ulbrich: How Benjamin Button got his faceE30
Ed Ulbrich: How Benjamin Button got his faceEd Ulbrich, the digital-effects guru from Digital Domain, explains the Oscar-winning technology that allowed his team to digitally create younger and older versions of Brad Pitt's face for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." - Captain Charles Moore on the seas of plasticE31
Captain Charles Moore on the seas of plasticCapt. Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation first discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch -- an endless floating waste of plastic trash. Now he's drawing attention to the growing, choking problem of plastic debris in our seas. - Richard Pyle: Exploring the reef's Twilight ZoneE32
Richard Pyle: Exploring the reef's Twilight ZoneIn this illuminating talk, Richard Pyle shows us thriving life on the cliffs of coral reefs and groundbreaking diving technologies he has pioneered to explore it. He and his team risk everything to reveal the secrets of undiscovered species. - Miru Kim: Making art of New York's urban ruinsE33
Miru Kim: Making art of New York's urban ruinsAt the 2008 EG Conference, artist Miru Kim talks about her work. Kim explores industrial ruins underneath New York and then photographs herself in them, nude -- to bring these massive, dangerous, hidden spaces into sharp focus. - Evan Williams on what's behind Twitter's explosive growthE34
Evan Williams on what's behind Twitter's explosive growthIn the year leading up to this talk, the web tool Twitter exploded in size (up 10x during 2008 alone). Co-founder Evan Williams reveals that many of the ideas driving that growth came from unexpected uses invented by the users themselves. - Brenda Laurel on making video games for girlsE35
Brenda Laurel on making video games for girlsAt TED1998, Brenda Laurel asked: Why are all the top-selling videogames aimed at little boys? She talked about her two-plus years of research to create a game that girls would play and love. It's pioneering work that resonates today. - Willie Smits: How to restore a rainforestE36
Willie Smits: How to restore a rainforestBy piecing together a complex ecological puzzle, biologist Willie Smits believes he has found a way to re-grow clearcut rainforest in Borneo, saving local orangutans -- and creating a thrilling blueprint for restoring fragile ecosystems. UPDATE: December 2012: The core content of this talk has been challenged on a number of grounds. For details, and for Willie Smits' response to these criticisms, please see this page: http://www.ted.com/pages/791 - Nalini Nadkarni explores canopy worldsE37
Nalini Nadkarni explores canopy worldsA unique ecosystem of plants, birds and monkeys thrives in the treetops of the rainforest. Nalini Nadkarni explores these canopy worlds -- and shares her findings with the world below, through dance, art and bold partnerships. - Mike Rowe: Learning from dirty jobsE38
Mike Rowe: Learning from dirty jobsMike Rowe the host of "Dirty Jobs," tells some compelling (and horrifying) real-life job stories. Listen for his insights and observations about the nature of hard work, and how its been unjustifiably degraded in society today. - Eric Lewis: Striking chords to rock the jazz worldE39
Eric Lewis: Striking chords to rock the jazz worldEric Lewis, an astonishingly talented crossover jazz pianist -- seen by many for the first time at TED2009 -- sets fire to the keys with his shattering rendition of Evanescence's chart-topper, "Going Under." - Don Norman: The three ways that good design makes you happyE40
Don Norman: The three ways that good design makes you happyIn this talk from 2003, design critic Don Norman turns his incisive eye toward beauty, fun, pleasure and emotion, as he looks at design that makes people happy. He names the three emotional cues that a well-designed product must hit to succeed. - Pattie Maes: Unveiling game-changing wearable techE41
Pattie Maes: Unveiling game-changing wearable techThis demo -- from Pattie Maes' lab at MIT, spearheaded by Pranav Mistry -- was the buzz of TED. It's a wearable device with a projector that paves the way for profound interaction with our environment. Imagine "Minority Report" and then some. - Aimee Mullins: It’s not fair having 12 pairs of legsE42
Aimee Mullins: It’s not fair having 12 pairs of legsAthlete, actor and activist Aimee Mullins talks about her prosthetic legs -- she's got a dozen amazing pairs -- and the super-powers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height ... Quite simply, she redefines what the body can be. - Stuart Brown: Play is more than funE43
Stuart Brown: Play is more than funA pioneer in research on play, Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults -- and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age. - Tim Berners-Lee: The next Web of open, linked dataE44
Tim Berners-Lee: The next Web of open, linked data20 years ago, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. For his next project, he's building a web for open, linked data that could do for numbers what the Web did for words, pictures, video: unlock our data and reframe the way we use it together. - Dan Dennett: Cute, sexy, sweet, funnyE45
Dan Dennett: Cute, sexy, sweet, funnyWhy are babies cute? Why is cake sweet? Philosopher Dan Dennett has answers you wouldn't expect, as he shares evolution's counterintuitive reasoning on cute, sweet and sexy things (plus a new theory from Matthew Hurley on why jokes are funny). - Dan Ariely: Why we think it's OK to cheat and steal (sometimes)E46
Dan Ariely: Why we think it's OK to cheat and steal (sometimes)Behavioral economist Dan Ariely studies the bugs in our moral code: the hidden reasons we think it's OK to cheat or steal (sometimes). Clever studies help make his point that we're predictably irrational -- and can be influenced in ways we can't grasp. - Adam Savage: My obsession with objects and the stories they tellE47
Adam Savage: My obsession with objects and the stories they tellAdam Savage talks about his fascination with the dodo bird, and how it led him on a strange and surprising double quest. It's an entertaining adventure through the mind of a creative obsessive. - Bruce McCall: Nostalgia for a future that never happenedE48
Bruce McCall: Nostalgia for a future that never happenedBruce McCall paints a future that never happened -- full of flying cars, polo-playing tanks and the RMS Tyrannic, "The Biggest Thing in All the World." At Serious Play '08, he narrates a brisk and funny slideshow of his faux-nostalgic art. - Jacqueline Novogratz on an escape from povertyE51
Jacqueline Novogratz on an escape from povertyJacqueline Novogratz tells a moving story of on an encounter in a Nairobi slum with Jane, a former prostitute. whose dreams of escaping poverty, of becoming a doctor and of getting married were fulfilled in an unexpected way. - David Pogue: Cool new things you can do with your mobileE52
David Pogue: Cool new things you can do with your mobileIn this engaging talk from the EG'08 conference, New York Times tech columnist David Pogue rounds up some handy cell phone tools and services that can boost your productivity and lower your bills (and your blood pressure). - John Wooden: The difference between winning and succeedingE53
John Wooden: The difference between winning and succeedingWith profound simplicity, Coach John Wooden redefines success and urges us all to pursue the best in ourselves. In this inspiring talk he shares the advice he gave his players at UCLA, quotes poetry and remembers his father's wisdom. - Nathan Wolfe: Why we have virus outbreaks & how we can prevent themE54
Nathan Wolfe: Why we have virus outbreaks & how we can prevent themSARS, avian flu, swine flu ... each virus outbreak raises the question: What can be done? A compelling answer from virus hunter Nathan Wolfe, who's outwitting the next pandemic by staying two steps ahead: discovering new, deadly viruses where they first emerge -- passing from animals to humans among poor subsistence hunters in Africa -- and stopping them before they claim millions of lives. - P.W. Singer: Military robots and the future of warE59
P.W. Singer: Military robots and the future of warIn this powerful talk, P.W. Singer shows how the widespread use of robots in war is changing the realities of combat. He shows us scenarios straight out of science fiction -- that now may not be so fictitious. - Nathaniel Kahn: My father, my architectE60
Nathaniel Kahn: My father, my architectNathaniel Kahn shares clips from his documentary "My Architect," about his quest to understand his father, the legendary architect Louis Kahn. It's a film with meaning to anyone who seeks to understand the relationship between art and love. - Bruce Bueno de Mesquita predicts Iran's futureE61
Bruce Bueno de Mesquita predicts Iran's futureBruce Bueno de Mesquita uses mathematical analysis to predict (very often correctly) such messy human events as war, political power shifts, Intifada ... After a crisp explanation of how he does it, he offers three predictions on the future of Iran. - Bonnie Bassler: The secret, social lives of bacteriaE62
Bonnie Bassler: The secret, social lives of bacteriaBonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria "talk" to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine, industry -- and our understanding of ourselves. - Emily Levine: A theory of everythingE63
Emily Levine: A theory of everythingPhilosopher-comedian Emily Levine talks (hilariously) about science, math, society and the way everything connects. She's a brilliant trickster, poking holes in our fixed ideas and bringing hidden truths to light. Settle in and let her ping your brain. - Renny Gleeson: Busted! The sneaky moves of antisocial smartphone usersE64
Renny Gleeson: Busted! The sneaky moves of antisocial smartphone usersIn this funny (and actually poignant) 3-minute talk, social strategist Renny Gleeson breaks down our always-on social world -- where the experience we're having right now is less interesting than what we'll tweet about it later. - Gregory Stock: To upgrade is humanE66
Gregory Stock: To upgrade is humanIn this prophetic 2003 talk -- just days before Dolly the sheep was stuffed -- biotech ethicist Gregory Stock looked forward to new, more meaningful (and controversial) technologies, like customizable babies, whose adoption might drive human evolution. - JoAnn Kuchera-Morin: Stunning data visualization in the AlloSphereE67
JoAnn Kuchera-Morin: Stunning data visualization in the AlloSphereJoAnn Kuchera-Morin demos the AlloSphere, an entirely new way to see and interpret scientific data, in full color and surround sound inside a massive metal sphere. Dive into the brain, feel electron spin, hear the music of the elements ... - Margaret Wertheim: The beautiful math of coral (and crochet)E70
Margaret Wertheim: The beautiful math of coral (and crochet)Science 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. - Niels Diffrient: Rethinking the way we sit downE71
Niels Diffrient: Rethinking the way we sit downDesign legend Niels Diffrient talks about his life in industrial design (and the reason he became a designer instead of a jet pilot). He details his quest to completely rethink the office chair starting from one fundamental data set: the human body. - Erik Hersman: How texting helped Kenyans survive crisisE72
Erik Hersman: How texting helped Kenyans survive crisisAt TEDU 2009, Erik Hersman presents the remarkable story of Ushahidi, a GoogleMap mashup that allowed Kenyans to report and track violence via cell phone texts following the 2008 elections, and has evolved to continue saving lives in other countries. - Ben Katchor's comics of bygone New YorkE73
Ben Katchor's comics of bygone New YorkIn this captivating talk from the TED archive, cartoonist Ben Katchor reads from his comic strips. These perceptive, surreal stories find the profound hopes and foibles of history (and modern New York) preserved in objects like light switches and signs. - Nate Silver: How does race affect votes?E74
Nate Silver: How does race affect votes?Nate Silver has answers to controversial questions about race in politics: Did Obama's race hurt his votes in some places? Stats and myths collide in this fascinating talk that ends with a remarkable insight on how town planning can promote tolerance. - Alex Tabarrok on how ideas trump crisesE75
Alex Tabarrok on how ideas trump crisesThe "dismal science" truly shines in this optimistic talk, as economist Alex Tabarrok argues free trade and globalization are shaping our once-divided world into a community of idea-sharing more healthy, happy and prosperous than anyone's predictions. - Michael Merzenich: Growing evidence of brain plasticityE76
Michael Merzenich: Growing evidence of brain plasticityNeuroscientist Michael Merzenich looks at one of the secrets of the brain's incredible power: its ability to actively re-wire itself. He's researching ways to harness the brain's plasticity to enhance our skills and recover lost function. - Sarah Jones: One woman, eight hilarious charactersE77
Sarah Jones: One woman, eight hilarious charactersIn this hilariously lively performance, actress Sarah Jones channels an opinionated elderly Jewish woman, a fast-talking Dominican college student and more, giving TED2009 just a sample of her spectacular character range. - Laurie Garrett: What can we learn from the 1918 flu?E78
Laurie Garrett: What can we learn from the 1918 flu?In 2007, as the world worried about a possible avian flu epidemic, Laurie Garrett, author of "The Coming Plague," gave this powerful talk to a small TED University audience. Her insights from past pandemics are suddenly more relevant than ever. - Brian Cox: What went wrong at the Large Hadron ColliderE79
Brian Cox: What went wrong at the Large Hadron ColliderIn this short talk from TED U 2009, Brian Cox shares what's new with the CERN supercollider. He covers the repairs now underway and what the future holds for the largest science experiment ever attempted. - Mae Jemison on teaching arts and sciences togetherE81
Mae Jemison on teaching arts and sciences togetherMae Jemison is an astronaut, a doctor, an art collector, a dancer ... Telling stories from her own education and from her time in space, she calls on educators to teach both the arts and sciences, both intuition and logic, as one -- to create bold thinkers. - Tom Shannon's gravity-defying sculptureE82
Tom Shannon's gravity-defying sculptureTom Shannon shows off his gravity-defying, otherworldly sculpture -- made of simple, earthly materials -- that floats and spins like planets on magnets and suspension wire. It's science-inspired art at its most heavenly. - Al Gore: Alarming new slides of the worsening climate crisisE83
Al Gore: Alarming new slides of the worsening climate crisisAt TED2009, Al Gore presents updated slides from around the globe to make the case that worrying climate trends are even worse than scientists predicted, and to make clear his stance on "clean coal." - Louise Fresco on feeding the whole worldE84
Louise Fresco on feeding the whole worldLouise Fresco shows us why we should celebrate mass-produced, supermarket-style white bread. She says environmentally sound mass production will feed the world, yet leave a role for small bakeries and traditional methods. - Seth Godin: The tribes we leadE85
Seth Godin: The tribes we leadSeth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so. - Eric Lewis plays chaos and harmonyE86
Eric Lewis plays chaos and harmonyEric Lewis explores the piano's expressive power as he pounds and caresses the keys (and the strings) in a performance during the 2009 TED Prize session. He plays an original song, a tribute to ocean and sky and the vision of the TED Prize winners. - Hans Rosling on HIV: New facts and stunning data visualsE87
Hans Rosling on HIV: New facts and stunning data visualsHans Rosling unveils new data visuals that untangle the complex risk factors of one of the world's deadliest (and most misunderstood) diseases: HIV. He argues that preventing transmissions -- not drug treatments -- is the key to ending the epidemic. - Ray Anderson: The business logic of sustainabilityE90
Ray Anderson: The business logic of sustainabilityAt his carpet company, Ray Anderson has increased sales and doubled profits while turning the traditional "take / make / waste" industrial system on its head. In a gentle, understated way, he shares a powerful vision for sustainable commerce. - Dan Ariely: Are we in control of our decisions?E91
Dan Ariely: Are we in control of our decisions?Behavioral economist Dan Ariely, the author of Predictably Irrational, uses classic visual illusions and his own counterintuitive (and sometimes shocking) research findings to show how we're not as rational as we think when we make decisions. - Mary Roach: 10 things you didn't know about orgasmE92
Mary Roach: 10 things you didn't know about orgasm"Bonk" author Mary Roach delves into obscure scientific research, some of it centuries old, to make 10 surprising claims about sexual climax, ranging from the bizarre to the hilarious. (This talk is aimed at adults. Viewer discretion advised.) - Carolyn Porco: Could a Saturn moon harbor life?E93
Carolyn Porco: Could a Saturn moon harbor life?Carolyn Porco shares exciting new findings from the Cassini spacecraft's recent sweep of one of Saturn's moons, Enceladus. Samples gathered from the moon's icy geysers hint that an ocean under its surface could harbor life. - Yves Behar's supercharged motorcycle designE94
Yves Behar's supercharged motorcycle designYves Behar and Forrest North unveil Mission One, a sleek, powerful electric motorcycle. They share slides from distant (yet similar) childhoods that show how collaboration kick-started their friendship -- and shared dreams. - Michelle Obama's plea for educationE96
Michelle Obama's plea for educationSpeaking at a London girls' school, Michelle Obama makes a passionate, personal case for each student to take education seriously. It is this new, brilliant generation, she says, that will close the gap between the world as it is and the world as it should be. - Jonathan Drori: Why we're storing billions of seedsE97
Jonathan Drori: Why we're storing billions of seedsIn this brief talk from TED U 2009, Jonathan Drori encourages us to save biodiversity -- one seed at a time. Reminding us that plants support human life, he shares the vision of the Millennium Seed Bank, which has stored over 3 billion seeds to date from dwindling yet essential plant species. - Kaki King rocks out to "Playing with Pink Noise"E98
Kaki King rocks out to "Playing with Pink Noise"Kaki King, the first female on Rolling Stone's "guitar god" list, rocks out to a full live set at TED2008, including her breakout single, "Playing with Pink Noise." Jaw-dropping virtuosity meets a guitar technique that truly stands out. - Liz Coleman's call to reinvent liberal arts educationE99
Liz Coleman's call to reinvent liberal arts educationBennington president Liz Coleman delivers a call-to-arms for radical reform in higher education. Bucking the trend to push students toward increasingly narrow areas of study, she proposes a truly cross-disciplinary education -- one that dynamically combines all areas of study to address the great problems of our day. - Ray Kurzweil: A university for the coming singularityE100
Ray Kurzweil: A university for the coming singularityRay Kurzweil's latest graphs show that technology's breakneck advances will only accelerate -- recession or not. He unveils his new project, Singularity University, to study oncoming tech and guide it to benefit humanity. - Yann Arthus-Bertrand captures fragile Earth in wide-angleE101
Yann Arthus-Bertrand captures fragile Earth in wide-angleIn this image-filled talk, Yann Arthus-Bertrand displays his three most recent projects on humanity and our habitat -- stunning aerial photographs in his series "The Earth From Above," personal interviews from around the globe featured in his web project "6 billion Others," and his soon-to-be-released movie, "Home," which documents human impact on the environment through breathtaking video. - Felix Dennis' odes to vice and consequencesE102
Felix Dennis' odes to vice and consequencesMedia big shot Felix Dennis roars his fiery, funny, sometimes racy original poetry, revisiting haunting memories and hard-won battle scars from a madcap -- yet not too repentant -- life. Best enjoyed with a glass of wine. - Kevin Surace invents eco-friendly drywallE104
Kevin Surace invents eco-friendly drywallKevin Surace suggests we rethink basic construction materials -- such as the familiar wallboard -- to reduce the huge carbon footprint generated by the manufacturing and construction of our buildings. He introduces EcoRock, a clean, recyclable and energy-efficient drywall created by his team at Serious Materials. - John La Grou plugs smart power outletsE105
John La Grou plugs smart power outletsJohn La Grou unveils an ingenious new technology that will smarten up the electrical outlets in our homes, using microprocessors and RFID tags. The invention, Safeplug, promises to prevent deadly accidents like house fires -- and to conserve energy. - Richard St. John: "Success is a continuous journey"
E107Richard St. John: "Success is a continuous journey"In his typically candid style, Richard St. John reminds us that success is not a one-way street, but a constant journey. He uses the story of his business' rise and fall to illustrate a valuable lesson — when we stop trying, we fail. - Jane Poynter: Life in Biosphere 2E109
Jane Poynter: Life in Biosphere 2Jane Poynter tells her story of living two years and 20 minutes in Biosphere 2 -- an experience that provoked her to explore how we might sustain life in the harshest of environments. This is the first TED talk drawn from an independently organized TEDx event, held at the University of Southern California. - Clay Shirky: How cellphones, Twitter, Facebook can make historyE110
Clay Shirky: How cellphones, Twitter, Facebook can make historyWhile news from Iran streams to the world, Clay Shirky shows how Facebook, Twitter and TXTs help citizens in repressive regimes to report on real news, bypassing censors (however briefly). The end of top-down control of news is changing the nature of politics. - Catherine Mohr: Surgery's past, present and robotic futureE112
Catherine Mohr: Surgery's past, present and robotic futureSurgeon and inventor Catherine Mohr tours the history of surgery (and its pre-painkiller, pre-antiseptic past), then demos some of the newest tools for surgery through tiny incisions, performed using nimble robot hands. Fascinating -- but not for the squeamish. - Qi Zhang's electrifying organ performanceE113
Qi Zhang's electrifying organ performanceOrgan virtuoso Qi Zhang plays her electric rendering of "Ridiculous Fellows" from Prokofiev's "The Love for Three Oranges" orchestral suite. This exhilarating performance from TEDx USC features the Yamaha Electone Stagea, a rare, imported instrument specially programmed by Qi herself. - Philip Zimbardo: The psychology of timeE114
Philip Zimbardo: The psychology of timePsychologist Philip Zimbardo says happiness and success are rooted in a trait most of us disregard: the way we orient toward the past, present and future. He suggests we calibrate our outlook on time as a first step to improving our lives. - Katherine Fulton: You are the future of philanthropyE116
Katherine Fulton: You are the future of philanthropyIn this uplifting talk, Katherine Fulton sketches the new future of philanthropy -- one where collaboration and innovation allow regular people to do big things, even when money is scarce. Giving five practical examples of crowd-driven philanthropy, she calls for a new generation of citizen leaders. - Arthur Benjamin: Teach statistics before calculus!E117
Arthur Benjamin: Teach statistics before calculus!Someone always asks the math teacher, "Am I going to use calculus in real life?" And for most of us, says Arthur Benjamin, the answer is no. He offers a bold proposal on how to make math education relevant in the digital age. - Gever Tulley teaches life lessons through tinkeringE118
Gever Tulley teaches life lessons through tinkeringGever Tulley uses engaging photos and footage to demonstrate the valuable lessons kids learn at his Tinkering School. When given tools, materials and guidance, these young imaginations run wild and creative problem-solving takes over to build unique boats, bridges and even a rollercoaster! - Daniel Libeskind's 17 words of architectural inspirationE119
Daniel Libeskind's 17 words of architectural inspirationDaniel Libeskind builds on very big ideas. Here, he shares 17 words that underlie his vision for architecture -- raw, risky, emotional, radical -- and that offer inspiration for any bold creative pursuit. - The design genius of Charles + Ray EamesE120
The design genius of Charles + Ray EamesThe legendary design team Charles and Ray Eames made films, houses, books and classic midcentury modern furniture. Eames Demetrios, their grandson, shows rarely seen films and archival footage in a lively, loving tribute to their creative process. - Tom Wujec: 3 ways the brain creates meaningE121
Tom Wujec: 3 ways the brain creates meaningInformation designer Tom Wujec talks through three areas of the brain that help us understand words, images, feelings, connections. In this short talk from TEDU, he asks: How can we best engage our brains to help us better understand big ideas? - Kary Mullis' next-gen cure for killer infectionE123
Kary Mullis' next-gen cure for killer infectionDrug-resistant bacteria kills, even in top hospitals. But now tough infections like staph and anthrax may be in for a surprise. Nobel-winning chemist Kary Mullis, who watched a friend die when powerful antibiotics failed, unveils a radical new cure that shows extraordinary promise. - Stewart Brand: 4 environmental 'heresies'E124
Stewart Brand: 4 environmental 'heresies'The man who helped usher in the environmental movement in the 1960s and '70s has been rethinking his positions on cities, nuclear power, genetic modification and geo-engineering. This talk at the US State Department is a foretaste of his major new book, sure to provoke widespread debate. - Daniel Kraft invents a better way to harvest bone marrowE125
Daniel Kraft invents a better way to harvest bone marrowDaniel Kraft demos his Marrow Miner -- a new device that quickly harvests life-saving bone marrow with minimal pain to the donor. He emphasizes that the adult stem cells found in bone marrow can be used to treat many terminal conditions, from Parkinson's to heart disease. - Gordon Brown: Wiring a web for global goodE127
Gordon Brown: Wiring a web for global goodWe're at a unique moment in history, says UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown: we can use today's interconnectedness to develop our shared global ethic -- and work together to confront the challenges of poverty, security, climate change and the economy. - Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of successE128
Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of successAlain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure -- and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work. - Golan Levin makes art that looks back at youE129
Golan Levin makes art that looks back at youGolan Levin, an artist and engineer, uses modern tools -- robotics, new software, cognitive research -- to make artworks that surprise and delight. Watch as sounds become shapes, bodies create paintings, and a curious eye looks back at the curious viewer. - Elaine Morgan says we evolved from aquatic apesE130
Elaine Morgan says we evolved from aquatic apesElaine Morgan is a tenacious proponent of the aquatic ape hypothesis: the idea that humans evolved from primate ancestors who dwelt in watery habitats. Hear her spirited defense of the idea -- and her theory on why mainstream science doesn't take it seriously. - Willard Wigan: Hold your breath for micro-sculptureE131
Willard Wigan: Hold your breath for micro-sculptureWillard Wigan tells the story of how a difficult and lonely childhood drove him to discover his unique ability -- to create art so tiny that it can't be seen with the naked eye. His slideshow of figures, as seen through a microscope, can only be described as mind-boggling. - Michael Pritchard: How to make filthy water drinkableE132
Michael Pritchard: How to make filthy water drinkableToo much of the world lacks access to clean drinking water. Engineer Michael Pritchard did something about it -- inventing the portable Lifesaver filter, which can make the most revolting water drinkable in seconds. An amazing demo from TEDGlobal 2009. - Paul Romer: Why the world needs charter citiesE133
Paul Romer: Why the world needs charter citiesHow can a struggling country break out of poverty if it's trapped in a system of bad rules? Economist Paul Romer unveils a bold idea: "charter cities," city-scale administrative zones governed by a coalition of nations. (Could Guantánamo Bay become the next Hong Kong?) - Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in actionE134
Janine Benyus: Biomimicry in actionJanine Benyus has a message for inventors: When solving a design problem, look to nature first. There you'll find inspired designs for making things waterproof, aerodynamic, solar-powered and more. Here she reveals dozens of new products that take their cue from nature with spectacular results. - Emmanuel Jal: The music of a war childE135
Emmanuel Jal: The music of a war childFor five years, young Emmanuel Jal fought as a child soldier in the Sudan. Rescued by an aid worker, he's become an international hip-hop star and an activist for kids in war zones. In words and lyrics, he tells the story of his amazing life. - Olafur Eliasson: Playing with space and lightE136
Olafur Eliasson: Playing with space and lightIn the spectacular large-scale projects he's famous for (such as "Waterfalls" in New York harbor), Olafur Eliasson creates art from a palette of space, distance, color and light. This idea-packed talk begins with an experiment in the nature of perception. - Nina Jablonski breaks the illusion of skin colorE137
Nina Jablonski breaks the illusion of skin colorNina 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, but she explains, that's because he did not have access to NASA. - Nicholas Negroponte takes OLPC to ColombiaE138
Nicholas Negroponte takes OLPC to ColombiaTED follows Nicholas Negroponte to Colombia as he delivers laptops inside territory once controlled by guerrillas. His partner? Colombia's Defense Department, who see One Laptop per Child as an investment in the region. (And you too can get involved.) - Joachim de Posada: Don’t eat the marshmallow!E139
Joachim de Posada: Don’t eat the marshmallow!In this short talk from TED U, Joachim de Posada shares a landmark experiment on delayed gratification -- and how it can predict future success. With priceless video of kids trying their hardest not to eat the marshmallow. - Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation
E140Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivationCareer analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don't: Traditional rewards aren't always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories -- and maybe, a way forward. Bidding adieu to his last "real job" as Al Gore's speechwriter, Dan Pink went freelance to spark a right-brain revolution in the career marketplace. - Eric Giler demos wireless electricityE141
Eric Giler demos wireless electricityEric Giler wants to untangle our wired lives with cable-free electric power. Here, he covers what this sci-fi tech offers, and demos MIT's breakthrough version, WiTricity -- a near-to-market invention that may soon recharge your cell phone, car, pacemaker. - Hans Rosling: Let my dataset change your mindsetE142
Hans Rosling: Let my dataset change your mindsetTalking at the US State Department this summer, Hans Rosling uses his fascinating data-bubble software to burst myths about the developing world. Look for new analysis on China and the post-bailout world, mixed with classic data shows. - Natasha Tsakos' multimedia theatrical adventureE143
Natasha Tsakos' multimedia theatrical adventureNatasha Tsakos presents part of her one-woman, multimedia show, "Upwake." As the character Zero, she blends dream and reality with an inventive virtual world projected around her in 3D animation and electric sound. - Cary Fowler: One seed at a time, protecting the future of foodE144
Cary Fowler: One seed at a time, protecting the future of foodThe varieties of wheat, corn and rice we grow today may not thrive in a future threatened by climate change. Cary Fowler takes us inside a vast global seed bank, buried within a frozen mountain in Norway, that stores a diverse group of food-crop for whatever tomorrow may bring. - Josh Silver demos adjustable liquid-filled eyeglassesE145
Josh Silver demos adjustable liquid-filled eyeglassesJosh Silver delivers his brilliantly simple solution for correcting vision at the lowest cost possible -- adjustable, liquid-filled lenses. At TEDGlobal 2009, he demos his affordable eyeglasses and reveals his global plan to distribute them to a billion people in need by 2020. - Geoff Mulgan: Post-crash, investing in a better worldE146
Geoff Mulgan: Post-crash, investing in a better worldAs we reboot the world's economy, Geoff Mulgan poses a question: Instead of sending bailout money to doomed old industries, why not use stimulus funds to bootstrap some new, socially responsible companies -- and make the world a little bit better? - Hans Rosling's answers to the TED and Reddit community interviewE147
Hans Rosling's answers to the TED and Reddit community interviewHere, Hans Rosling answers the top 10 questions asked and voted on by the TED community through Reddit. See the original blog post here: http://blog.ted.com/2009/09/reddit_and_ted.php And see all the questions here: http://www.reddit.com/comments/9ga2p/ask_hans_rosling_ted_rockstar_and_stats_guru/ Look for similar community interviews in the next weeks! - Evan Grant: Making sound visible through cymaticsE148
Evan Grant: Making sound visible through cymaticsEvan Grant demonstrates the science and art of cymatics, a process for making soundwaves visible. Useful for analyzing complex sounds (like dolphin calls), it also makes complex and beautiful designs. - Steve Truglia: A leap from the edge of spaceE149
Steve Truglia: A leap from the edge of spaceAt his day job, Steve Truglia flips cars, walks through fire and falls out of buildings -- pushing technology to make stunts bigger, safer, more awesome. He talks us through his next stunt: the highest jump ever attempted, from the very edge of space. - James Balog: Time-lapse proof of extreme ice lossE150
James Balog: Time-lapse proof of extreme ice lossPhotographer James Balog shares new image sequences from the Extreme Ice Survey, a network of time-lapse cameras recording glaciers receding at an alarming rate, some of the most vivid evidence yet of climate change. - Lewis Pugh swims the North PoleE151
Lewis Pugh swims the North PoleLewis Pugh talks about his record-breaking swim across the North Pole. He braved the icy waters (in a Speedo) to highlight the melting icecap. Watch for astonishing footage -- and some blunt commentary on the realities of supercold-water swims. - Rebecca Saxe: How we read each other's mindsE152
Rebecca Saxe: How we read each other's mindsSensing the motives and feelings of others is a natural talent for humans. But how do we do it? Here, Rebecca Saxe shares fascinating lab work that uncovers how the brain thinks about other peoples' thoughts -- and judges their actions. - Misha Glenny investigates global crime networksE154
Misha Glenny investigates global crime networksJournalist Misha Glenny spent several years in a courageous investigation of organized crime networks worldwide, which have grown to an estimated 15% of the global economy. From the Russian mafia, to giant drug cartels, his sources include not just intelligence and law enforcement officials but criminal insiders. - Bjarke Ingels: 3 warp-speed architecture talesE155
Bjarke Ingels: 3 warp-speed architecture talesDanish architect Bjarke Ingels rockets through photo/video-mingled stories of his eco-flashy designs. His buildings not only look like nature -- they act like nature: blocking the wind, collecting solar energy -- and creating stunning views. - Oliver Sacks: What hallucination reveals about our mindsE157
Oliver Sacks: What hallucination reveals about our mindsNeurologist and author Oliver Sacks brings our attention to Charles Bonnet syndrome -- when visually impaired people experience lucid hallucinations. He describes the experiences of his patients in heartwarming detail and walks us through the biology of this under-reported phenomenon - Jonathan Zittrain: The Web as random acts of kindnessE159
Jonathan Zittrain: The Web as random acts of kindnessFeeling like the world is becoming less friendly? Social theorist Jonathan Zittrain begs to difffer. The Internet, he suggests, is made up of millions of disinterested acts of kindness, curiosity and trust. - Evgeny Morozov: How the Internet strengthens dictatorshipsE160
Evgeny Morozov: How the Internet strengthens dictatorshipsTED Fellow and journalist Evgeny Morozov punctures what he calls "iPod liberalism" -- the assumption that tech innovation always promotes freedom, democracy -- with chilling examples of ways the Internet helps oppressive regimes stifle dissent. - William Kamkwamba: How I harnessed the windE161
William Kamkwamba: How I harnessed the windAt age 14, in poverty and famine, a Malawian boy built a windmill to power his family's home. Now at 22, William Kamkwamba, who speaks at TED, here, for the second time, shares in his own words the moving tale of invention that changed his life. - Taryn Simon photographs secret sitesE162
Taryn Simon photographs secret sitesTaryn Simon exhibits her startling take on photography -- to reveal worlds and people we would never see otherwise. She shares two projects: one documents otherworldly locations typically kept secret from the public, the other involves haunting portraits of men convicted for crimes they did not commit. - Jacqueline Novogratz: A third way to think about aidE163
Jacqueline Novogratz: A third way to think about aidThe debate over foreign aid often pits those who mistrust "charity" against those who mistrust reliance on the markets. Jacqueline Novogratz proposes a middle way she calls patient capital, with promising examples of entrepreneurial innovation driving social change. - Parag Khanna maps the future of countriesE164
Parag Khanna maps the future of countriesMany people think the lines on the map no longer matter, but Parag Khanna says they do. Using maps of the past and present, he explains the root causes of border conflicts worldwide and proposes simple yet cunning solutions for each. - Karen Armstrong: Let's revive the Golden RuleE165
Karen Armstrong: Let's revive the Golden RuleWeeks from the Charter for Compassion launch, Karen Armstrong looks at religion's role in the 21st century: Will its dogmas divide us? Or will it unite us for common good? She reviews the catalysts that can drive the world's faiths to rediscover the Golden Rule. - Tim Brown urges designers to think bigE166
Tim Brown urges designers to think bigTim Brown says the design profession is preoccupied with creating nifty, fashionable objects -- even as pressing questions like clean water access show it has a bigger role to play. He calls for a shift to local, collaborative, participatory "design thinking." - Garik Israelian: What's inside a star?E167
Garik Israelian: What's inside a star?Garik Israelian is a spectroscopist, studying the spectrum emitted by a star to figure out what it's made of and how it might behave. It's a rare and accessible look at this discipline, which may be coming close to finding a planet friendly to life. - Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time offE168
Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time offEvery seven years, designer Stefan Sagmeister closes his New York studio for a yearlong sabbatical to rejuvenate and refresh their creative outlook. He explains the often overlooked value of time off and shows the innovative projects inspired by his time in Bali. - Carolyn Steel: How food shapes our citiesE169
Carolyn Steel: How food shapes our citiesEvery day, in a city the size of London, 30 million meals are served. But where does all the food come from? Architect Carolyn Steel discusses the daily miracle of feeding a city, and shows how ancient food routes shaped the modern world. - David Logan: Tribal leadershipE170
David Logan: Tribal leadershipAt TEDxUSC, business professor David Logan talks about the five kinds of tribes that humans naturally form -- in schools, workplaces, even the driver's license bureau. By understanding our shared tribal tendencies, we can help lead each other to become better individuals. - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single storyE171
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single storyOur lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding. - Beau Lotto: Optical illusions show how we seeE172
Beau Lotto: Optical illusions show how we seeBeau Lotto's color games puzzle your vision, but they also spotlight what you can't normally see: how your brain works. This fun, first-hand look at your own versatile sense of sight reveals how evolution tints your perception of what's really out there. - Sam Martin: The quirky world of "manspaces"E173
Sam Martin: The quirky world of "manspaces"Author Sam Martin shares photos of a quirky world hobby that's trending with the XY set: the "manspace." (They're custom-built hangouts where a man can claim a bit of his own territory to work, relax, be himself.) Grab a cold one and enjoy. - Eric Sanderson: New York -- before the CityE174
Eric Sanderson: New York -- before the City400 years after Hudson found New York harbor, Eric Sanderson shares how he made a 3D map of Mannahatta's fascinating pre-city ecology of hills, rivers, wildlife -- accurate down to the block -- when Times Square was a wetland and you couldn't get delivery. - David Hanson: Robots that "show emotion"E175
David Hanson: Robots that "show emotion"David Hanson's robot faces look and act like yours: They recognize and respond to emotion, and make expressions of their own. Here, an "emotional" live demo of the Einstein robot offers a peek at a future where robots truly mimic humans. - Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad manE176
Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad manAdvertising adds value to a product by changing our perception, rather than the product itself. Rory Sutherland makes the daring assertion that a change in perceived value can be just as satisfying as what we consider “real” value -- and his conclusion has interesting consequences for how we look at life. - Henry Markram: A brain in a supercomputerE177
Henry Markram: A brain in a supercomputerHenry Markram says the mysteries of the mind can be solved -- soon. Mental illness, memory, perception: they're made of neurons and electric signals, and he plans to find them with a supercomputer that models all the brain's 100,000,000,000,000 synapses. - John Gerzema: The post-crisis consumerE179
John Gerzema: The post-crisis consumerJohn Gerzema says there's an upside to the recent financial crisis -- the opportunity for positive change. Speaking at TEDxKC, he identifies four major cultural shifts driving new consumer behavior and shows how businesses are evolving to connect with thoughtful spending. - Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductorsE181
Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductorsAn orchestra conductor faces the ultimate leadership challenge: creating perfect harmony without saying a word. In this charming talk, Itay Talgam demonstrates the unique styles of six great 20th-century conductors, illustrating crucial lessons for all leaders. - Marc Koska: 1.3m reasons to re-invent the syringeE182
Marc Koska: 1.3m reasons to re-invent the syringeReuse of syringes, all too common in under-funded clinics, kills 1.3 million each year. Marc Koska clues us in to this devastating global problem with facts, photos and hidden-camera footage. He shares his solution: a low-cost syringe that can't be used twice. - Ian Goldin: Navigating our global futureE183
Ian Goldin: Navigating our global futureAs globalization and technological advances bring us hurtling towards a new integrated future, Ian Goldin warns that not all people may benefit equally. But, he says, if we can recognize this danger, we might yet realize the possibility of improved life for everyone. - David Deutsch: A new way to explain explanationE184
David Deutsch: A new way to explain explanationFor tens of thousands of years our ancestors understood the world through myths, and the pace of change was glacial. The rise of scientific understanding transformed the world within a few centuries. Why? Physicist David Deutsch proposes a subtle answer. - Rachel Armstrong: Architecture that repairs itself?E185
Rachel Armstrong: Architecture that repairs itself?Venice, Italy is sinking. To save it, Rachel Armstrong says we need to outgrow architecture made of inert materials and, well, make architecture that grows itself. She proposes a not-quite-alive material that does its own repairs and sequesters carbon, too. - Becky Blanton: The year I was homelessE186
Becky Blanton: The year I was homelessBecky Blanton planned to live in her van for a year and see the country, but when depression set in and her freelance job ended, her camping trip turned into homelessness. In this intimate talk, she describes her experience of becoming one of America's working homeless. - Marcus du Sautoy: Symmetry, reality's riddleE187
Marcus du Sautoy: Symmetry, reality's riddleThe world turns on symmetry -- from the spin of subatomic particles to the dizzying beauty of an arabesque. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Here, Oxford mathematician Marcus du Sautoy offers a glimpse of the invisible numbers that marry all symmetrical objects. - Matthew White gives the euphonium a new voiceE188
Matthew White gives the euphonium a new voiceThe euphonium, a tuba-like musical instrument, is rarely heard outside of traditional brass bands. Young euph prodigy Matthew White uses hip-hop rhythms and a wild new vocal technique to bring a fresh sound to this underappreciated horn. - Stefana Broadbent: How the Internet enables intimacy
E189Stefana Broadbent: How the Internet enables intimacyWe worry that IM, texting, Facebook are spoiling human intimacy, but Stefana Broadbent's research shows how communication tech is capable of cultivating deeper relationships, bringing love across barriers like distance and workplace rules. - Cameron Sinclair: The refugees of boom-and-bustE190
Cameron Sinclair: The refugees of boom-and-bustAt TEDGlobal U, Cameron Sinclair shows the unreported cost of real estate megaprojects gone bust: thousands of migrant construction laborers left stranded and penniless. To his fellow architects, he says there is only one ethical response. - Rachel Pike: The science behind a climate headlineE191
Rachel Pike: The science behind a climate headlineIn 4 minutes, atmospheric chemist Rachel Pike provides a glimpse of the massive scientific effort behind the bold headlines on climate change, with her team -- one of thousands who contributed -- taking a risky flight over the rainforest in pursuit of data on a key molecule. - Cynthia Schneider: The surprising spread of "Idol" TVE193
Cynthia Schneider: The surprising spread of "Idol" TVCynthia Schneider looks at two international "American Idol"-style shows -- one in Afghanistan, and one in the United Arab Emirates -- and shows the surprising effect that these reality-TV competitions are creating in their societies. - Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technologyE194
Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technologyAt TEDIndia, Pranav Mistry demos several tools that help the physical world interact with the world of data -- including a deep look at his SixthSense device and a new, paradigm-shifting paper "laptop." In an onstage Q&A, Mistry says he'll open-source the software behind SixthSense, to open its possibilities to all. - Devdutt Pattanaik: East vs west -- the myths that mystifyE195
Devdutt Pattanaik: East vs west -- the myths that mystifyDevdutt Pattanaik takes an eye-opening look at the myths of India and of the West -- and shows how these two fundamentally different sets of beliefs about God, death and heaven help us consistently misunderstand one another. - Tom Wujec demos the 13th-century astrolabeE196
Tom Wujec demos the 13th-century astrolabeRather than demo another new technology, Tom Wujec reaches back to one of our earliest but most ingenious devices -- the astrolabe. With thousands of uses, from telling time to mapping the night sky, this old tech reminds us that the ancient can be as brilliant as the brand-new. - Rob Hopkins: Transition to a world without oilE197
Rob Hopkins: Transition to a world without oilRob Hopkins reminds us that the oil our world depends on is steadily running out. He proposes a unique solution to this problem -- the Transition response, where we prepare ourselves for life without oil and sacrifice our luxuries to build systems and communities that are completely independent of fossil fuels. - Hans Rosling: Asia’s rise -- how and whenE198
Hans Rosling: Asia’s rise -- how and whenHans Rosling was a young guest student in India when he first realized that Asia had all the capacities to reclaim its place as the world's dominant economic force. At TEDIndia, he graphs global economic growth since 1858 and predicts the exact date that India and China will outstrip the US. - Gordon Brown on global ethic vs. national interestE201
Gordon Brown on global ethic vs. national interestCan the interests of an individual nation be reconciled with humanity's greater good? Can a patriotic, nationally elected politician really give people in other countries equal consideration? Following his TEDTalk calling for a global ethic, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown fields questions from TED Curator Chris Anderson. - Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue “soft" powerE202
Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue “soft" powerIndia is fast becoming a superpower, says Shashi Tharoor -- not just through trade and politics, but through "soft" power, its ability to share its culture with the world through food, music, technology, Bollywood. He argues that in the long run it's not the size of the army that matters as much as a country's ability to influence the world's hearts and minds. - Cindy Gallop: Make love, not porn (Adult content)E203
Cindy Gallop: Make love, not porn (Adult content)At TED2009, audience member Cindy Gallop gave a 4-minute presentation that became one of the event's most talked about. Speaking from her personal experience, she argued that hardcore pornography had distorted the way a generation of young men think about sex. She talked about how she was fighting back with the launch of a website -- http://makelovenotporn.com -- to correct the myths being propagated. You can comment on this talk here: http://blog.ted.com/2009/12/cindy_gallop_ma.php - Andrea Ghez: The hunt for a supermassive black holeE204
Andrea Ghez: The hunt for a supermassive black holeWith new data from the Keck telescopes, Andrea Ghez shows how state-of-the-art adaptive optics are helping astronomers understand our universe's most mysterious objects: black holes. She shares evidence that a supermassive black hole may be lurking at the center of the Milky Way. - Anupam Mishra: The ancient ingenuity of water harvestingE205
Anupam Mishra: The ancient ingenuity of water harvestingWith wisdom and wit, Anupam Mishra talks about the amazing feats of engineering built centuries ago by the people of India's Golden Desert to harvest water. These structures are still used today -- and are often superior to modern water megaprojects. - Scott Kim takes apart the art of puzzlesE206
Scott Kim takes apart the art of puzzlesAt the 2008 EG conference, famed puzzle designer Scott Kim takes us inside the puzzle-maker's frame of mind. Sampling his career's work, he introduces a few of the most popular types, and shares the fascinations that inspired some of his best. - Sunitha Krishnan: The fight against sex slaveryE207
Sunitha Krishnan: The fight against sex slaverySunitha Krishnan has dedicated her life to rescuing women and children from sex slavery, a multimilion-dollar global market. In this courageous talk, she tells three powerful stories, as well as her own, and calls for a more humane approach to helping these young victims rebuild their lives. - Rory Bremner's one-man world summitE208
Rory Bremner's one-man world summitScottish funnyman Rory Bremner convenes a historic council on the TEDGlobal stage -- as he lampoons Gordon Brown, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and a cast of other world leaders with his hilarious impressions and biting commentary. See if you can catch a few sharp TED in-jokes. - Marc Pachter: The art of the interviewE209
Marc Pachter: The art of the interviewMarc Pachter has conducted live interviews with some of the most intriguing characters in recent American history as part of a remarkable series created for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. He reveals the secret to a great interview and shares extraordinary stories of talking with Steve Martin, Clare Booth Luce and more. - Thulasiraj Ravilla: How low-cost eye care can be world-classE210
Thulasiraj Ravilla: How low-cost eye care can be world-classIndia's revolutionary Aravind Eye Care System has given sight to millions. Thulasiraj Ravilla looks at the ingenious approach that drives its treatment costs down and quality up, and why its methods should trigger a re-think of all human services. - Shereen El Feki: Pop culture in the Arab worldE211
Shereen El Feki: Pop culture in the Arab worldAt TEDGlobal University, Shereen El Feki shows how some Arab cultures are borrowing trademarks of Western pop culture -- music videos, comics, even Barbie -- and adding a culturally appropriate twist. The hybridized media shows how two civilizations, rather than dividing, can dovetail. - Loretta Napoleoni: The intricate economics of terrorismE212
Loretta Napoleoni: The intricate economics of terrorismLoretta Napoleoni details her rare opportunity to talk to the secretive Italian Red Brigades -- an experience that sparked a lifelong interest in terrorism. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at its complex economics, revealing a surprising connection between money laundering and the US Patriot Act. - Ryan Lobo: Photographing the hidden storyE213
Ryan Lobo: Photographing the hidden storyRyan Lobo has traveled the world, taking photographs that tell stories of unusual human lives. In this haunting talk, he reframes controversial subjects with empathy, so that we see the pain of a Liberian war criminal, the quiet strength of UN women peacekeepers and the perseverance of Delhi's underappreciated firefighters. - Alexis Ohanian: How to make a splash in social mediaE214
Alexis Ohanian: How to make a splash in social mediaIn a funny, rapid-fire 4 minutes, Alexis Ohanian of Reddit tells the real-life fable of one humpback whale's rise to Web stardom. The lesson of Mister Splashy Pants is a shoo-in classic for meme-makers and marketers in the Facebook age. - Charles Anderson discovers dragonflies that cross oceansE215
Charles Anderson discovers dragonflies that cross oceansWhile living and working as a marine biologist in Maldives, Charles Anderson noticed sudden explosions of dragonflies at certain times of year. He explains how he carefully tracked the path of a plain, little dragonfly called the globe skimmer, only to discover that it had the longest migratory journey of any insect in the world. - Shaffi Mather: A new way to fight corruptionE217
Shaffi Mather: A new way to fight corruptionShaffi Mather explains why he left his first career to become a social entrepreneur, providing life-saving transportation with his company 1298 for Ambulance. Now, he has a new idea and plans to begin a company to fight the booming business of corruption in public service, eliminating it one bribe at a time. - Steven Cowley: Fusion is energy's futureE218
Steven Cowley: Fusion is energy's futurePhysicist Steven Cowley is certain that nuclear fusion is the only truly sustainable solution to the fuel crisis. He explains why fusion will work -- and details the projects that he and many others have devoted their lives to, working against the clock to create a new source of energy. - Asher Hasan's message of peace from PakistanE219
Asher Hasan's message of peace from PakistanOne of many Pakistanis who came to TEDIndia despite security hassles entering the country, TED Fellow Asher Hasan shows photos of ordinary Pakistanis that drive home a profound message for citizens of all nations: look beyond disputes, and see the humanity we share.
