TED-Ed
TED-Ed creates award-winning animated shorts that explore a wide range of educational topics, from science and history to art and philosophy. Each video is designed to spark curiosity and is accompanied by supplemental learning materials on their website. The podcast version offers the same engaging content in audio format, perfect for learning on the go.
Episodes
Making a TED-Ed Lesson: Animating zombies
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/making-a-ted-ed-lesson-animating-zombies-with-puppetsWhat style of animation perfectly mimics the movement of zombies? Puppet animation allows for just the right amount of zombie-like stiff limbs and jerky stumbles. TED-Ed animators show how to bring a zombie to life through 2D puppet animation (and how to try this at home).Lesson and animation by TED-Ed
Let's educate kids in coding - Mitch Resnick
Coding isn't just for computer whizzes, says Mitch Resnick of MIT Media Lab -- it's for everyone. In a fun, demo-filled talk Resnick outlines the benefits of teaching kids to code, so they can do more than just "read" new technologies -- but also create them. (Filmed at TEDxBeaconStreet.)Talk by Mitch Resnick.
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The weirdest summer in recorded history - David Biello
Dig into geoengineering, which uses technology to manipulate Earth’s environments to counteract climate change.--In 1815, Mount Tambora erupted and its emissions spread across the globe, blotting out the sun for almost an entire year. This wreaked havoc on agriculture, leading to famines all across the Northern hemisphere. It was the year without summer— one of the darkest periods in human history
Why did three popes reign at once? - Joëlle Rollo-Koster
Dig into the history of the Papal Schism, which caused a split in the Catholic Church while 3 popes vied for supremacy. --For almost two millennia, the Pope has been a figure of supreme spiritual authority for Catholics around the world. But in the late 14th century, Catholics found themselves with not one, not two, but three popes. Where did this plethora of popes come from? And who among them wa
Nature's smallest factory: The Calvin cycle - Cathy Symington
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/nature-s-smallest-factory-the-calvin-cycle-cathy-symingtonA hearty bowl of cereal gives you the energy to start your day, but how exactly did that energy make its way into your bowl? It all begins with photosynthesis, the process that converts the air we breathe into energizing glucose. Cathy Symington details the highly efficient second phase of photosy
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Can other animals perceive death? - Barbara J. King
Do nonhuman animals experience grief? Explore mourning in the animal kingdom to find out the answer to this tricky question.--In 2018, an orca called Tahlequah gave birth. But her daughter died within an hour. Tahlequah, however, didn’t leave her body. Over the next 17 days and 1,600 kilometers, she kept it afloat atop her own. By altering her feeding and travel patterns, Tahlequah’s behavior was
The hunt for other Earth-like planets - Olivier Guyon
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-search-for-other-planets-olivier-guyonBillions of stars. Billions of galaxies. A thousand years just to count all of the stars in our galaxy and then another thousand to count the galaxies in the universe. At TEDYouth 2012, Olivier Guyon examines the possibility of finding other planets within these astronomical numbers, some potentially rife with li
A brief history of video games (Part I) - Safwat Saleem
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-brief-history-of-video-games-part-i-safwat-saleemVideo games are everywhere these days, but where did they actually come from? The history of video games is a complicated story that involves giant computers in science labs, the founder of Chuck E. Cheese and billions of dollars in quarters. Safwat Saleem examines the evolution of the beloved world of g
Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion - TED-Ed
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/animation-basics-the-optical-illusion-of-motion-ted-edHow do animators make still images come to life? Are the images really moving, or are they merely an optical illusion? TED-Ed takes you behind the scenes to reveal the secret of motion in movies. Lesson and animation by TED-Ed.
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Urbanization and the future of cities - Vance Kite
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/urbanization-and-the-future-of-cities-vance-kiteAbout 10,000 years ago, hunter-gatherers, aided by rudimentary agriculture, moved to semi-permanent villages and never looked back. With further developments came food surpluses, leading to commerce, specialization and, many years later with the Industrial Revolution, the modern city. Vance Kite plots our u
Who is the speediest god in all mythology? - Iseult Gillespie
Witness the clash of mythology’s speediest supernaturals in an epic race and find out which creature is the fastest.--It’s time for the Myth Olympics: the eternal arena in which creatures and deities compete for glory. Almost every mythical tradition claims one creature as the fastest— from goddesses who run like the wind to creatures who outstrip every captor. So, who will emerge victorious in a
The best stats you've ever seen - Hans Rosling
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/hans-rosling-shows-the-best-stats-you-ve-ever-seenYou've never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called "developing world."Talk by Hans Rosling.
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Why should you read “The Master and Margarita”? - Alex Gendler
Get to know the Russian classic “The Master and Margarita,” a genre-defying blend of political satire and occult mysticism about a visit from the Devil.--The Devil has come to town. But don’t worry– all he wants to do is stage a magic show. This absurd premise forms the central plot of Mikhail Bulgakov’s masterpiece, “The Master and Margarita.” Its blend of political satire, historical fiction and
Inspire to educate Afghan girls - Shabana Basij-Rasikh
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/dare-to-educate-afghan-girls-shabana-basij-rasikhImagine a country where girls must sneak out to go to school, with deadly consequences if they get caught learning. This was Afghanistan under the Taliban, and traces of that danger remain today. 22-year-old Shabana Basij-Rasikh runs a school for girls in Afghanistan. She celebrates the power of a family's
Why is Marie Antoinette so debated? - Carolyn Harris
Marie Antoinette became a symbol for the evils of excess— but was she a wasteful queen or a convenient scapegoat? You decide.--She was the Queen of France, notorious for living in opulence while peasants starved and became a symbol of everything wrong with monarchy. But was Marie Antionette a heartless, wasteful queen, or a convenient scapegoat in turbulent times? Carolyn Harris puts this controve
Axolotls: The salamanders that snack on each other (but don't die) - Luis Zambrano
Discover the extraordinary regenerative powers of the axolotl, a salamander native to Mexico and one of science’s most studied animals.--Axolotls are one of science’s most studied animals. Why, you ask? These extraordinary salamanders are masters of regeneration: they can flawlessly regenerate body parts ranging from amputated limbs and crushed spines to parts of their eyes and brains. So, how do
A brief history of toilets - Francis de los Reyes
Explore the history of the toilet and how waste management has evolved from from ancient Mesopotamia to modern day.--On sunny days, citizens of ancient Rome could be found exchanging news and gossip while attending to more urgent business at the public latrines. Today, most cultures consider trips to the restroom to be a more private occasion. But even when going alone, our shared sewage infrastru
How do we fix medicine? - Atul Gawande
Our medical systems are broken. Doctors are capable of extraordinary (and expensive) treatments, but they are losing their core focus: actually treating people. Doctor and writer Atul Gawande suggests we take a step back and look at new ways to do medicine -- with fewer cowboys and more pit crews. Talk by Atul Gawande.
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Why do we snack on popcorn at the movies? - Andrew Smith
Trace the history of popcorn, from its origins in the Americas to its explosion of popularity in the 20th century.--Soft percussion and a toasty scent mark the violent transformation of tough seeds into cloud-like puffs. This is the almost magical process of popcorn-making. Dozens of kinds of popcorn are now grown in the US, with different strains assuming distinctive shapes when their kernels exp
Is our universe the only cosmos? - Brian Greene
Is there more than one universe? In this visually rich, action-packed talk, Brian Greene shows how the unanswered questions of physics (starting with a big one: What caused the Big Bang?) have led to the theory that our own universe is just one of many in the "multiverse."Talk by Brian Greene.
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The life, legacy and assassination of an African revolutionary - Lisa Janae Bacon
Get to know the life of West African revolutionary Thomas Sankara, and his pursuit of liberating Burkina Faso from colonial rule.--In 1972, Thomas Sankara was swept into the revolution seeking to wrest control of Madagascar from France’s lingering colonial rule. The protests inspired the West African native to read works by socialist leaders and seek wisdom from military strategy. Leaving Madagasc
Sugar: Hiding in plain sight - Robert Lustig
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/sugar-hiding-in-plain-sight-robert-lustigWhile sugar is easy to spot in candy, soft drinks and ice cream, it also hides out in foods you might not expect -- including peanut butter, pasta sauce and even bologna! Robert Lustig decodes confusing labels and sugar's many aliases to help determine just how much of that sweet carbohydrate makes its way into ou
How to attack (and defend) a medieval castle - Connor C. Wilson
Dig into the history of medieval European castles, and explore how the design of these formidable fortresses evolved over time.--Medieval European castles weren’t just for passive defense and withstanding enemy onslaughts; they were symbols of power, private residences, and hubs of governance. Castles regularly served as bases for launching attacks and as a way to control local populations. So, ho
The rise and fall of history’s first empire - Soraya Field Fiorio
Discover history’s first empire: Sumer, located in Mesopotamia, which built the world’s first cities and created the first writing system.--History’s first empire rose out of a hot, dry landscape, without rainfall to nourish crops, without trees or stones for building. In spite of all this, its inhabitants built the world’s first cities, with monumental architecture and large populations— and they
What is Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox? - Colm Kelleher
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-zeno-s-dichotomy-paradox-colm-kelleherCan you ever travel from one place to another? Ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea gave a convincing argument that all motion is impossible - but where's the flaw in his logic? Colm Kelleher illustrates how to resolve Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox.Lesson by Colm Kelleher, animation by Buzzco Associates, inc.
Le
The power of Vedic math - Gaurav Tekriwal
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-magic-of-vedic-math-gaurav-tekriwalThere is more than one way to reach a correct answer in mathematics. Vedic math, an ancient Indian method, sidesteps traditional computations in a manner that provides a shortcut, while being fun to use and to learn. At TEDYouth 2012, to ooh's and aah's from the amazed crowd, Gaurav Tekriwal demonstrates the magic o
What few people know about the program that "saved" America - Meg Jacobs
Explore the successes and failures of FDR’s New Deal, a set of legislation during the Great Depression which aimed to save the US economy. --In 1932, one in four Americans was unemployed, marking the highest unemployment rate in the country’s history. The Democratic presidential candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt promised a New Deal— a comprehensive set of legislation to support struggling citizens a
What it means if you spot faces in objects - Susan G. Wardle
Dig into the phenomenon of face pareidolia, which is the tendency of our brains to see faces in everyday objects.--Imagine opening a bag of chips, only to find Santa Claus looking back at you. Or turning a corner to see a building smiling at you. Humans see faces in all kinds of mundane objects, but these faces aren’t real— they're illusions due to a phenomenon known as face pareidolia. So why exa
questions to ask yourself before you accept an idea - Siska De Baerdemaeker
Get to know 3 factors that can help you identify pseudoscience, and find out how it differs from actual science.--Pseudoscience is a set of theories, methods, and assumptions that appear scientific, but aren’t. In the worst cases, pseudoscience practitioners encourage this confusion to exploit people. But even when it's well-intentioned, pseudoscience can still prevent people from getting the help
An enormous bubble for debate - Liz Diller
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-giant-bubble-for-debate-liz-dillerHow do you make a great public space inside a not-so-great building? Liz Diller shares the story of creating a welcoming, lighthearted (even, dare we say it, sexy) addition to the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. (From The Design Studio session at TED2012, guest-curated by Chee Pearlman and David Rockwell.)Talk by L
The Opposites Game
A classroom erupts into a war of words as students grapple with a seemingly simple prompt: what is the opposite of a gun?--A TED-Ed ProductionA film by Anna Samo + Lisa LaBracioA poem by Brendan ConstantinePoem performed by Brendan ConstantineSound Design by Weston FongerAnimation & Design by Anna Samo + Lisa LaBracioProduced by Gerta XheloThis animation is part of our series, "There's a Poem for
What you can do with an extra jaw - Darien Satterfield
Discover the adaptation of the pharyngeal jaw, a secondary set of jaws that allow fish to capture and eat their prey at the same time. --After stalking a cuttlefish, a moray eel finally pounces. As the eel snags the mollusk in its teeth, its prey struggles to escape. But before it can wiggle away, a second set of teeth lunge from the eel’s throat. This adaptation is called a pharyngeal jaw, and is
Why I must voice concerns about climate change - James Hansen
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-i-must-speak-out-about-climate-change-james-hansenTop climate scientist James Hansen tells the story of his involvement in the science of and debate over global climate change. In doing so he outlines the overwhelming evidence that change is happening and why that makes him deeply worried about the future. Talk by James Hansen.
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The rise and fall of Italy's hired warriors - Stephanie Honchell Smith
Dig into the history of the elite mercenaries known as condottieri, who were soldiers for hire for Italy's rich and powerful.--During the 14th and 15th centuries, mercenaries known as condottieri dominated Italian warfare, profiting from— and encouraging— the region’s intense political rivalries. As rulers competed for power and prestige, their disputes often played out in military conflicts, foug
The surprising science of happiness - Nancy Etcoff
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/nancy-etcoff-on-the-surprising-science-of-happinessCognitive researcher Nancy Etcoff looks at happiness -- the ways we try to achieve and increase it, the way it's untethered to our real circumstances, and its surprising effect on our bodies. Talk by Nancy Etcoff.
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One of history's most harmful myths - Anneliese Mehnert
Examine the empty land theory, which was created by European colonizers in South Africa to support their claims to the region.--From the 1650s through the late 1800’s, European colonists descended on South Africa. They sought to claim the region, becoming even more aggressive after discovering the area’s abundant natural resources. To support their claims to the land, the colonizers asserted they
Gravity vs. Pressure: The contest that built the universe - Fabio Pacucci
Explore what happened after the Big Bang and how the battle between gravity and pressure shaped the structure of our universe.--It’s time for the biggest battle in the Universe: the Big Bang. In one corner is gravity— the force that brings all matter together. In the other is pressure— the force that can push matter away. Over the next several hundred thousand years, these two contenders will be w
Do politics make us irrational? - Jay Van Bavel
Dig into the psychology of political partisanship, how to recognize it and what strategies can be used to combat it. --Can someone’s political identity actually affect their ability to process information? The answer lies in a cognitive phenomenon known as partisanship. While identifying with social groups is an essential and healthy part of life, it can become a problem when the group’s beliefs a
We need to talk about an inequity - Bryan Stevenson
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/we-need-to-talk-about-an-injustice-bryan-stevensonIn an engaging and personal talk -- with cameo appearances from his grandmother and Rosa Parks -- human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares some hard truths about America's justice system, starting with a massive imbalance along racial lines: a third of the country's black male population has been incarc
Could we steal the power of a black hole? - Fabio Pacucci
Download a free audiobook version of "Children of Time" and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: https://www.audible.com/ted-edCheck out our full book recommendation: https://shop.ed.ted.com/collections/ted-ed-book-recommendations/products/children-of-time--Imagine a distant future when humans reach beyond Earth, forge cities on planets thousands of light-years away, and maintain a galactic web of
The dark history of the Chinese Exclusion Act - Robert Chang
Dig into the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which suspended Chinese immigration to the U.S. and blocked Chinese immigrants from citizenship.--In 1882, the United States Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first federal law that restricted immigration based explicitly on nationality. In practice, the Act banned entry to all ethnically Chinese immigrants besides diplomats, and prohibited
Mysteries of vernacular: Jade - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-veracular-jade-jessica-oreck-and-rachael-teelNow known for its beauty and green hue, the stone jade was previously thought to espouse magical properties, such as kidney treatment. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel explain the word's travels from 15th century to Spain to today (and why the word jaded is unrelated by root). Lesson by Jessica Orec
The one thing keeping jellyfish from taking over - Mariela Pajuelo and Javier Antonio Quinones
Dig into why jellyfish populations have increased, and how leatherback sea turtles can help get their numbers under control.--Over the past two decades, jellyfish have begun to overwhelm our oceans. If things stay on their current trajectory, we could be headed for a future where the entire ocean is thick with jellyfish. So, is there anything that can keep these gelatinous creatures under control?
How many ways can you arrange a deck of cards? - Yannay Khaikin
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-many-ways-can-you-arrange-a-deck-of-cards-yannay-khaikinOne deck. Fifty-two cards. How many arrangements? Let's put it this way: Any time you pick up a well shuffled deck, you are almost certainly holding an arrangement of cards that has never before existed and might not exist again. Yannay Khaikin explains how factorials allow us to pinpoint the ex
How is power distributed in the United States government? - Belinda Stutzman
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-is-power-divided-in-the-united-states-government-belinda-stutzmanArticle II of the United States Constitution allows for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial), along with a system of checks and balances should any branch get too powerful. Belinda Stutzman breaks down each branch and its constitutionally-entitled
Should you go solar? - Shannon Odell
Explore how solar units can help you save money on energy costs, and the most common challenges of switching to solar power.--Today in many countries solar is the cheapest form of energy to produce. Millions of homes are equipped with rooftop solar, with most units paying for themselves in their first seven to 12 years and then generating further savings. So, how much money can you save by switchi
How does a particle-smashing atom accelerator work? - Don Lincoln
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-an-atom-smashing-particle-accelerator-work-don-lincolnAn atom smasher, or particle accelerator, collides atomic nuclei together at extremely cold temperatures, very low air pressure, and hyperbolically fast speeds. Don Lincoln explains how scientists harness the power of both electric and magnetic fields to smash atoms, eventually leading to maj
How can technology enhance the human body? - Lucy McRae
TED Fellow Lucy McRae is a body architect -- she imagines ways to merge biology and technology in our own bodies. In this visually stunning talk, she shows her work, from clothes that recreate the body's insides for a music video with pop-star Robyn, to a pill that, when swallowed, lets you sweat perfume. Talk by Lucy McRae.
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The hidden treasures of Timbuktu - Elizabeth Cox
Dig into the ancient manuscripts, scrolls, and books of Timbuktu— and find out why they’ve been hidden for centuries. --On the edge of the vast Sahara desert, citizens snuck out of the city of Timbuktu and took to the wilderness. They buried chests in the desert sand, hid them in caves, and sealed them in secret rooms. Inside these chests was a treasure more valuable than gold: the city’s ancient
Unlock the intelligence, passion, greatness of girls - Leymah Gbowee
Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee has two powerful stories to tell -- of her own life's transformation and of the untapped potential of girls around the world. Can we transform the world by unlocking the greatness of girls? Talk by Leymah Gbowee.
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How hazardous was it to be a jester? - Beatrice K. Otto
Explore the history of court jesters, from 7th century China to medieval Europe, and how they were able to speak truth to power.--Contrary to common belief, jesters weren’t just a medieval European phenomenon but flourished in other times and cultures. The first reliably recorded jester is thought to be You Shi, of 7th century BCE China. Jesters had unique relationships to power: they could be vie
Can you outsmart the fallacy that started a witch hunt? - Elizabeth Cox
Dig into the burden of proof fallacy, which assumes that something is true unless proven false and relies on arguments from ignorance.--It’s 1950. Anti-communist sentiment in the United States is at an all-time high. Senator Joseph McCarthy claims he has a list of communists who are influencing government policy. He makes his first accusation without providing any legitimate evidence, yet the sena
How to fix traffic jams - Jonas Eliasson
It's an unfortunate reality in nearly every major city—road congestion, especially during rush hours. Jonas Eliasson reveals how subtly nudging just a small percentage of drivers to stay off major roads can make traffic jams a thing of the past. (Filmed at TEDxHelvetia.) Talk by Jonas Eliasson.
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Why did Megalodon become extinct? - Jack Cooper and Catalina Pimiento
Dive into the ocean’s depths to see how the gigantic megalodon ruled the seas, and find out what caused its extinction.—20 million years ago, the ocean housed a creature so colossal that its stomach could reach volumes of almost 10,000 liters— big enough to fit an entire orca. It was the megalodon, the biggest shark to ever live. So, what was it like when megalodon ruled the seas? And what brought
How the water you flush cycles back to the water you drink - Francis de los Reyes
Explore the science of wastewater treatment, and find out why water reuse has become increasingly common worldwide.--In 2003, Singapore’s national water agency launched an unprecedented program to provide more than 50% of their nation’s water supply by recycling wastewater. The program had been planned for decades to ensure the island nation never ran out of clean water. But is it really safe to r
You are more transparent than you think - Sajan Saini
Discover how scientists are using light and integrated photonics technology to create medical devices that can diagnose illness.--It’s an increasingly common sight in hospitals around the world: a nurse measures our height, weight, blood pressure, and attaches a glowing plastic clip to our finger. Suddenly, a digital screen reads out the oxygen level in our bloodstream. How did that happen? Sajan
The accident that changed the world - Allison Ramsey and Mary Staicu
Learn how Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, and how the antibiotic has changed medicine and the treatment of infections. --In 1928, scientist Alexander Fleming returned to his lab and found something unexpected: a colony of mold growing on a Petri dish he’d forgotten to place in his incubator. And around this colony of mold was a zone completely and surprisingly clear of bacteria. What was
Can you cheat death by solving this riddle? - Shravan S K
Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd--You and your best friend Bill are the greatest bards in the kingdom— but maybe not the brightest. Your hit song has insulted the king and now you’re slated for execution. Luckily, Death is a connoisseur of most excellent music and has decided to give you a chance to escape your fate. Can you beat him at a life-sized game of Snakes and L
Connected, yet lonely? - Sherry Turkle
As we expect more from technology, do we expect less from each other? Sherry Turkle studies how our devices and online personas are redefining human connection and communication -- and asks us to think deeply about the new kinds of connection we want to have. Talk by Sherry Turkle.
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Why is it so hard to abandon a bad habit?
Explore the psychology behind how good and bad habits are formed, and get tips on how to manage these behaviors.--Many people deal with a nail-biting habit at some point in their lives. Some will go to great lengths to try to stop, employing strategies like dipping their hands in salt or wearing gloves. And while not all of us are nail-biters, most of us do have a habit we’d like to kick. So, what
Inside an Antarctic time machine - Lee Hotz
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/lee-hotz-inside-an-antarctic-time-machineScience columnist Lee Hotz describes a remarkable project at WAIS Divide, Antarctica, where a hardy team are drilling into ten-thousand-year-old ice to extract vital data on our changing climate. Robert Lee Hotz is the science columnist for the Wall Street Journal, where he writes about cutting-edge research on cl
The genesis of the universe, for beginners - Tom Whyntie
View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-beginning-of-the-universe-for-beginners-tom-whyntieHow did the universe begin -- and how is it expanding? CERN physicist Tom Whyntie shows how cosmologists and particle physicists explore these questions by replicating the heat, energy, and activity of the first few seconds of our universe, from right after the Big Bang.Lesson by Tom Whyntie, animat
Tracking ancient diseases using ... plaque - Christina Warinner
Imagine what we could learn about diseases by studying the history of human disease, from ancient hominids to the present. But how? TED Fellow Christina Warinner is an achaeological geneticist, and she's found a spectacular new tool -- the microbial DNA in fossilized dental plaque. Talk by Christina Warinner.
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Taking imagination seriously - Janet Echelman
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/janet-echelman-taking-imagination-seriouslyJanet Echelman found her true voice as an artist when her paints went missing -- which forced her to look to an unorthodox new art material. Now she makes billowing, flowing, building-sized sculpture with a surprisingly geeky edge. A transporting 10 minutes of pure creativity. Talk by Janet Echelman.
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What are stem cells? - Craig A. Kohn
Learn about the science of stem cells and how these incredible, transforming cells could lead to personalized medicine for individual bodies.--Is personalized medicine for individual bodies in our future? Possibly -- with the use of stem cells, undifferentiated cells with the power to become any tissue in our bodies. Craig A. Kohn describes the role of these incredible, transforming cells and how
Healthier men, one beard at a time - Adam Garone
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/healthier-men-one-moustache-at-a-time-adam-garoneAdam Garone has an impressive moustache, and it's for a good cause. A co-founder of Movember, Garone's initiative to raise awareness for men's health -- by having men grow out their moustaches every November -- began as a dare in a bar in 2003. Now, it's a worldwide movement that raised $126 million for pr
Which type of milk is best for you? - Jonathan J. O’Sullivan and Grace E. Cunningham
Dive into the most popular milks— dairy, almond, soy and oat— to find out which is healthiest for you and for the planet.--If you go to the store in search of milk, there are a dizzying number of products to choose from. There’s dairy milk, but also plant-based products such as almond, soy, and oat milks. So which milk is actually best for you? And which uses the fewest resources and produces the
What led to the Rwandan Genocide? - Susanne Buckley-Zistel
Dig into the history of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, during which over one-tenth of the country’s population was killed.--For one hundred days in 1994, the African country of Rwanda suffered a horrific campaign of mass murder. Neighbor turned against neighbor as violence engulfed the region, resulting in the deaths of over one-tenth of the country’s population. How did this happen? And why didn't
The mission to fathom consciousness - Antonio Damasio
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-quest-to-understand-consciousness-antonio-damasioEvery morning we wake up and regain consciousness -- that is a marvelous fact -- but what exactly is it that we regain? Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio uses this simple question to give us a glimpse into how our brains create our sense of self. Talk by Antonio Damasio.
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Pixar: The math behind the movies - Tony DeRose
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/pixar-the-math-behind-the-movies-tony-deroseThe folks at Pixar are widely known as some of the world's best storytellers and animators. They are perhaps less recognized as some of the most innovative math whizzes around. Pixar Research Lead Tony DeRose delves into the math behind the animations, explaining how arithmetic, trigonometry and geometry help b
What is love? - Brad Troeger
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-love-brad-troegerIs love a signal winding through your neural pathways? A cliche? A cult? Love is easy to compare but difficult to define, maybe because we're fundamentally biased; we try to define love while falling in or out of it. And love feels differently to every person who feels it, but this subjective emotion has evolutionary explanations
Texting that saves lives - Nancy Lublin
When Nancy Lublin started texting teenagers to help with her social advocacy organization, what she found was shocking -- they started texting back about their own problems, from bullying to depression to abuse. So she's setting up a text-only crisis line, and the results might be even more important than she expected. Talk by Nancy Lublin.
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The true power of the performing arts - Ben Cameron
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-true-power-of-the-performing-arts-ben-cameronArts administrator and live-theater fan Ben Cameron looks at the state of the live arts -- asking: How can the magic of live theater, live music, live dance compete with the always-on Internet? In his talk, he offers a bold look forward. (Filmed at TEDxYYC.) Talk by Ben Cameron.
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How to reach flow state
Explore the defining features of being in a flow state, and get tips on how you can find flow in your daily life.--Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. And those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment. But what exactly is flow? And how can we
Our Planet is full - Paul Gilding
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-earth-is-full-paul-gildingHave we used up all our resources? Have we filled up all the livable space on Earth? Paul Gilding suggests we have, and the possibility of devastating consequences, in a talk that's equal parts terrifying and, oddly, hopeful. Talk by Paul Gilding.
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What if there were 1 trillion more trees? - Jean-François Bastin
How can trees help in the fight against climate change? Dig into the efforts to rebuild damaged ecosystems and reduce carbon emissions.--Today humanity produces more than 1,400 tons of carbon every minute. To combat climate change, we need to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and draw down excess CO2 to restore the balance of greenhouse gases. Like all plants, trees consume atmospheric carbon through
What cameras detect that our eyes don't - Bill Shribman
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-cameras-see-that-our-eyes-don-t-bill-shribmanOur eyes are practically magical, but they cannot see everything. For instance, the naked eye cannot see the moment where all four of a horse's legs are in the air or the gradual life cycle of plants -- but cameras can capture these moments. Bill Shribman gives examples where photography can pick up where
What's a snollygoster? A concise lesson in political speak - Mark Forsyth
Most politicians choose their words carefully, to shape the reality they hope to create. But does it work? Etymologist Mark Forsyth shares a few entertaining word-origin stories from British and American history (for instance, did you ever wonder how George Washington became "president"?) and draws a surprising conclusion. (From TEDxHousesofParliament in London)Talk by Mark Forsyth.
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This is what happens when you floor the accelerator - Shannon Odell
Explore the differences between how a car’s internal combustion engine and an electric vehicle’s induction motor use fuel.--In 2015, two men drove a Volkswagen across the US on just over 100 gallons of fuel. Their 81-mile-per-gallon performance doubled the car’s estimated fuel rating, and set the record for the lowest fuel consumption ride of a diesel car. The duo were experts in techniques that m
