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
Bewildered by recycling? It's not your fault - Shannon Odell
Dig into the biggest problems facing our current plastic recycling process, and explore potential solutions to these systems. --If you’ve ever looked at the bottom of a disposable bottle or cup, you’ve probably noticed a recycling symbol. Seeing this, many people assume the item should be put in a recycling bin. Yet many plastics are incapable of being recycled at most centers. In fact, only 9% is
The future of dishonesty - Jeff Hancock
Who hasn't sent a text message saying "I'm on my way" when it wasn't true or fudged the truth a touch in their online dating profile? But Jeff Hancock doesn't believe that the anonymity of the internet encourages dishonesty. In fact, he says the searchability and permanence of information online may even keep us honest.Talk by Jeff Hancock.
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How to move beyond your mistakes
Explore what prevents us from learning from our failures, and how to become more resilient through cultivating a growth mindset.--People often describe failure as a teachable moment— a necessary stumble on our way to improvement. But learning from our mistakes isn’t always easy, especially when those failures are demoralizing, overwhelming, or just downright confusing. So what prevents us from tu
How Mr. Condom made Thailand a better place - Mechai Viravaidya
Thailand's "Mr. Condom," Mechai Viravaidya, walks us through the country's bold plan to raise its standard of living, starting in the 1970s. First step: population control. And that means a lot of frank, funny -- and very effective -- talk about condoms. (Filmed at TEDxChange.)Talky by Mechai Viravaidya.
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Networking for the connection-shy - Lisa Green Chau
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/networking-for-the-networking-averse-lisa-green-chauNetworking can seem so hard -- but not if you have the right advice. Try taking advantage of weak ties; you never know what friend of a friend of a friend can aid you in your dreams. Lisa Green Chau outlines how being proactive and always saying yes can lead to future opportunities. Lesson by Lisa Green
A voyage of the ancient Greek Underworld - Iseult Gillespie
Download a free audiobook version of “The Song of Achilles" and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: https://www.audible.com/ted-ed --Achilles, just slain in the Trojan War, arrives in the Underworld and is greeted by Sibyl of Cumae— a prophetess and also the realm’s local guide. Though it gets a bad rap, Sibyl is determined to prove to the newcomer that hell is actually a lovely place to live; bur
The rise and fall of the Kingdom of Man - Andrew McDonald
Discover the medieval empire of the Isle of Man and the Hebrides, and how a dynasty of sea kings rose to power.--On a small island in the Irish Sea, fortresses preside over the rugged shores. This unlikely location was the birthplace of a medieval empire that lasted 200 years. Rulers built coastal fortresses on cliffs, roved the seaways, and threw themselves into epic battles to consolidate contro
The power of vulnerability - Brené Brown
Brené Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share. (Filmed at TEDxHouston.)Talk by Brené Brown.
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Mysteries of vernacular: Breeches - Jessica Oreck
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-pants-jessica-oreckFrom 4th Century Roman Saint Pantaleon to the trousers we wear on our legs, Jessica Oreck details the story of the word 'pants.'Lesson and animation by Jessica Oreck.
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The shadowy origins of werewolves - Craig Thomson
Explore how werewolves have evolved in folklore, literature, and pop culture throughout history, and where these stories originated.--Stories of werewolves have existed for thousands of years and continue to live on today. They’re especially prominent in European literature and folklore, and often found in cultures where the wolf is the largest natural predator. Over the years its image has contin
Who was Alexander von Humboldt? - George Mehler
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/who-is-alexander-von-humboldt-george-mehlerHave you heard of Alexander von Humboldt? Not likely. The geologist turned South American explorer was a bit of an 18th century super scientist, traveling over 24,000 miles to understand the relationship between nature and habitat. George Mehler details Humboldt's major accomplishments and why we should care abo
Japan's most frightening ghost story - Kit Brooks
Follow the chilling Japanese tale of Oiwa, a ghost seeking revenge after her husband poisoned her and killed her father.--Oiwa’s only hope for ending her marriage to the cruel and dishonorable samurai, Iemon, was her father. But after he tried to end the union, Iemon murdered him in cold blood. With plans to marry another, Iemon conspired to poison his wife and left her for dead. But unfortunately
A year in the life of one of Earth's weirdest animals - Gilad Bino
Trace a year in the life of a platypus, and explore how the animal’s unique adaptations ensure its survival.--Waddling along the parched Australian earth, a female platypus is searching for fresh water. Over the past year, a severe drought turned rivers and streams to mere trickles. She barely survived and was unable to reproduce. Could the next year bring a change in luck? Gilad Bino traces a yea
Young people need structure - Colin Powell
How can you help kids get a good start? In this heartfelt and personal talk, Colin Powell, the former U.S. Secretary of State, asks parents, friends and relatives to support children from before they even get to primary school, through community and a strong sense of responsibility. (Filmed at TEDxMidAtlantic.)Talk by Colin Powell.
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What actually triggered the Irish Potato Famine - Stephanie Honchell Smith
Dig into what caused the Irish potato famine, and explore how the UK government’s response turned the crisis into a catastrophe.--For over 200 years, potatoes thrived in Ireland; roughly half the country’s residents lived almost entirely on potatoes. But when harvesting began in 1845, farmers found their potatoes blackened and shriveled. While this failed harvest created a crisis, the government’s
Early forensics and crime-solving chemists - Deborah Blum
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/early-forensics-and-crime-solving-chemists-deborah-blumIn a CSI age, we take forensic science for granted. New York did not have a medical examiner or forensic toxicologist until 1918, whose eventual arrival changed the landscape of crime investigation forever. At TEDYouth 2012, Deborah Blum prompts the audience to solve crimes with chemistry.Talk by Deb
Can you unravel the secret assassin society riddle? - Alex Rosenthal
Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd--Your agent has infiltrated a life or death poker game in a hidden back room of a grand casino. Your team is on the trail of an elite society of assassins, each of whom carries a signature playing card corresponding to their role— everyone at the table is either an assassin or a potential victim. Can you identify the assassins and save t
The infinite life of pi - Reynaldo Lopes
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-infinite-life-of-pi-reynaldo-lopesThe ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is always the same: 3.14159... and on and on (literally!) forever. This irrational number, pi, has an infinite number of digits, so we'll never figure out its exact value no matter how close we seem to get. Reynaldo Lopes explains pi's vast applications to the stu
The puzzle of chronic pain - Elliot Krane
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-mystery-of-chronic-pain-elliot-kraneWe think of pain as a symptom, but there are cases where the nervous system develops feedback loops and pain becomes a terrifying disease in itself. Starting with the story of a girl whose sprained wrist turned into a nightmare, Elliot Krane talks about the complex mystery of chronic pain and reviews the facts we'r
Sherlock Holmes and the century's greatest crime - Alex Rosenthal
Download the Audible Original podcast “Moriarty: The Silent Order” and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: https://www.audible.com/ted-ed --One day in the fall, you called upon your friend, Sherlock Holmes, and found him in conversation with Jabez Wilson. Wilson had been working for the mysterious League of Red-Headed Men. Today, he arrived at work to find the group had disappeared, and now turns
Creating the Seed Cathedral - Thomas Heatherwick
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/building-the-seed-cathedral-thomas-heatherwickA future more beautiful? Architect Thomas Heatherwick shows five recent projects featuring ingenious bio-inspired designs. Some are remakes of the ordinary: a bus, a bridge, a power station ... And one is an extraordinary pavilion, the Seed Cathedral, a celebration of growth and light.Talk by Thomas Heatherwi
The asteroid that came close to erasing life on Earth - Sean P. S. Gulick
Dig into what happened after the Chicxulub asteroid hit the Earth, and how it caused a mass extinction— including dinosaurs.--Sixty-six million years ago, near what’s now the Yucatán Peninsula, a juvenile sauropod feasted on horsetail plants on a riverbank. Earth was a tropical planet. Behemoth and tiny dinosaurs alike soared its skies and roamed its lands while reptiles and tentacled ammonites sw
Iceland's secret power - Jean-Baptiste P. Koehl
Explore how geothermal energy— the heat in the Earth’s crust— is being used to create renewable electricity and power.--While the weather in Iceland is often cold, wet, and windy, a nearly endless supply of heat bubbles away below the surface. In fact, almost every building in the country is heated by geothermal energy in a process with virtually no carbon emissions. So how exactly does this renew
Creating a dinosaur from a chicken - Jack Horner
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/building-a-dinosaur-from-a-chicken-jack-hornerRenowned paleontologist Jack Horner has spent his career trying to reconstruct a dinosaur. He's found fossils with extraordinarily well-preserved blood vessels and soft tissues, but never intact DNA. So, in a new approach, he's taking living descendants of the dinosaur (chickens) and genetically engineering t
The gruesome legacy of barber surgeons - Stephanie Honchell Smith
Trace the history of barber-surgeons, and find out what led to barbers performing medical procedures in medieval Europe.--It’s a cold morning in 15th century France and you’re off to the barber for a shave and haircut. You hear the familiar sound of singing inside and eye a bowl of blood in the window. You grab a cup of ale and examine the array of teeth strung from the walls. Suddenly, a scream s
Deciphering a visible quantum object - Aaron O'Connell
Physicists are used to the idea that subatomic particles behave according to the bizarre rules of quantum mechanics, completely different to human-scale objects. In a breakthrough experiment, Aaron O'Connell has blurred that distinction by creating an object that is visible to the unaided eye, but provably in two places at the same time. In this talk he suggests an intriguing way of thinking about
Where did these massive space bubbles come from? - Ashkbiz Danehkar
Explore the massive structures known as the Fermi bubbles, and dig into the prevailing theories about how they came to be.--In 2010, NASA announced the discovery of a never-before-seen galactic object: two gigantic gaseous bubbles, each emanating an impressive 25,000 light years from the center of the Milky Way. Astronomers were perplexed: what created these structures? And could this mean that th
Comma story - Terisa Folaron
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/comma-story-terisa-folaronIt isn't easy holding complex sentences together (just ask a conjunction or a subordinate), but the clever little comma can help lighten the load. But how to tell when help is really needed? Terisa Folaron offers some tricks of the comma trade.Lesson by Terisa Folaron, animation by Brett Underhill.
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Building a car for blind drivers - Dennis Hong
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/making-a-car-for-blind-drivers-dennis-hongUsing robotics, laser rangefinders, GPS and smart feedback tools, Dennis Hong is building a car for drivers who are blind. It's not a "self-driving" car, he's careful to note, but a car in which a non-sighted driver can determine speed, proximity and route -- and drive independently. Talk by Dennis Hong.
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Why was the US government so fascinated with this animal? - Andrew C. Isenberg
Explore how the US government hunted bison to near-extinction in the 1800s to force Native Americans onto reservations.--By the mid-1700s, many Plains nations survived on North America’s largest land mammals: bison. They ate its meat, made the hides into winter coats and blankets, and used the bones and horns for tools. But in the following decades, millions of bison would be deliberately slaughte
What causes seizures, and how can we treat them? - Christopher E. Gaw
Discover what we know — and don’t know — about the causes and treatment of seizures, and what to do if you encounter someone experiencing a seizure.--Nearly 3,000 years ago, a Babylonian tablet described a curious illness called “miqtu” that caused symptoms ranging from facial twitching to full body convulsions. Today we know miqtu as seizures, and modern medicine has developed numerous treatments
Myths and misconceptions about evolution - Alex Gendler
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/myths-and-misconceptions-about-evolution-alex-gendlerHow does evolution really work? Actually, not how some of our common evolutionary metaphors would have us believe. For instance, it's species, not individual organisms, that adapt to produce evolution, and genes don't "want" to be passed on -- a gene can't want anything at all! Alex Gendler sets the re
How we'll eradicate polio for good - Bruce Aylward
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-we-ll-stop-polio-for-good-bruce-aylwardPolio is almost completely eradicated. But as Bruce Aylward says: Almost isn't good enough with a disease this terrifying. Aylward lays out the plan to continue the scientific miracle that ended polio in most of the world -- and to snuff it out everywhere, forever.Talk by Bruce Aylward.
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The maladies that altered humanity forever - Dan Kwartler
Explore the history of humanity’s deadliest diseases, and find out how our progress and innovation exposed us to new pathogens.--Since humanity’s earliest days, we’ve been plagued by countless disease-causing pathogens. Invisible and persistent, these microorganisms and the illnesses they incur have killed more humans than anything else in history. But which disease has been the deadliest? Dan Kwa
The peculiar, fascinating world of bioluminescence - Edith Widder
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-weird-wonderful-world-of-bioluminescence-edith-widderIn the deep, dark ocean, many sea creatures make their own light for hunting, mating and self-defense. Bioluminescence expert Edith Widder was one of the first to film this glimmering world. At TED2011, she brings some of her glowing friends onstage, and shows more astonishing footage of glowing un
How to make wise decisions more easily
Explore the psychology of decision fatigue, what kinds of choices lead us to this state and what we can do to fight it.--Everything our bodies do— whether physical or mental— uses energy. Studies have found that many individuals seem to have a daily threshold for making decisions, and an extended period of decision-making can lead to cognitive exhaustion. So, what kinds of choices lead us to this
The method that can "prove" almost anything - James A. Smith
Explore the data analysis method known as p-hacking, where data is misrepresented as statistically significant.--In 2011, a group of researchers conducted a study designed to find an impossible result. Their study involved real people, truthfully reported data, and commonplace statistical analyses. So how did they do it? The answer lies in a statistical method scientists often use to try to figure
Want to be happier? Remain in the moment - Matt Killingsworth
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/want-to-be-happier-stay-in-the-moment-matt-killingsworthWhen are humans most happy? To gather data on this question, Matt Killingsworth built an app, Track Your Happiness, that let people report their feelings in real time. Among the surprising results: We're often happiest when we're lost in the moment. And the flip side: The more our mind wanders, the
How did South African Apartheid begin, and how did it finally end? - Thula Simpson
Explore how Dutch and British colonization of South Africa led to Apartheid, the strict national policy of racial segregation.--For 46 years, South Africans lived under Apartheid, a strict policy of segregation that barred the country’s Black majority from skilled, high-paying jobs, quality education, voting, and much more. So, how did these laws come to be? And how did this era of institutionaliz
Your brain while playing video games - Daphne Bavelier
How do fast-paced video games affect the brain? Step into the lab with cognitive researcher Daphne Bavelier to hear surprising news about how video games, even action-packed shooter games, can help us learn, focus and, fascinatingly, multitask. (Filmed at TEDxCHUV.)Talk by Daphne Bavelier.
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The rights you might not realize you possess - Shannon Odell
Do you have a right to a healthy planet? Dig into the movement to hold governments accountable for climate change inaction.--Since 2015, an unprecedented movement has been sweeping courts around the world. Groups of young plaintiffs are suing their governments for their inaction on tackling climate change. These suits argue that climate inaction violates their basic human rights. But what do human
Making a TED-Ed Lesson: Synesthesia and playing cards
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/making-a-ted-ed-lesson-synesthesia-and-playing-cardsHow can a pack of playing cards accurately explain the complicated and nuanced neurological condition, synesthesia? TED-Ed animators explain the process of creating an original animation from planning (storyboard and animatic) to fruition, including the special secrets behind this animation (think playd
Become a slam poet in five steps - Gayle Danley
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/become-a-slam-poet-in-five-steps-gayle-danleyWith enough passion and practice, becoming a slam poet is within your reach. Explore a distant memory on paper, then read it out loud. Edit. Try reading it out loud again, and add your finishing touches. Gayle Danley offers five steps to being a slam poet -- while being downright poetic in the process.Lesson b
The greatest river on Earth is actually in the sky - Iseult Gillespie
Explore the Amazon rainforest’s flying rivers, and dig into why these invisible waterways are essential to life on Earth.--The largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon, exists between two rivers — but not in the way you might think. At ground level, the Amazon River and its tributaries weave their path. But above the canopy, bigger waterways are on the move. These flying rivers are almost invis
Euclid's mysterious parallel postulate - Jeff Dekofsky
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/euclid-s-puzzling-parallel-postulate-jeff-dekofskyEuclid, known as the "Father of Geometry," developed several of modern geometry's most enduring theorems--but what can we make of his mysterious fifth postulate, the parallel postulate? Jeff Dekofsky shows us how mathematical minds have put the postulate to the test and led to larger questions of how we u
What's the science behind whale communication? - David Gruber and Shane Gero
Explore how sperm whales use an array of complex vocalizations to communicate with each other, hunt, and assess their surroundings. --Soon after whaling ships began operating in the North Pacific, an interesting trend emerged. Within just a few years, whalers saw a 58% drop in their successful strikes. Sperm whales had suddenly become harder to kill— they had begun fleeing the boats instead of for
Can you solve the giant spider riddle? - Dan Finkel
Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd--Once every century, the world’s greatest spiders gather to compete in a series of grueling games. The winner will become the next arachnomonarch, able to command all the world’s spiders to their will. That day is today, and for the first time, you’re casting your name into the ring. Can you attain the mantle of spider supremacy? Dan Fin
Can sunlight improve your heart health? - Richard Weller
Our bodies get Vitamin D from the sun, but as dermatologist Richard Weller suggests, sunlight may confer another surprising benefit too. New research by his team shows that nitric oxide, a chemical transmitter stored in huge reserves in the skin, can be released by UV light, to great benefit for blood pressure and the cardiovascular system. What does it mean? Well, it might begin to explain why Sc
Can planting trees actually cool the planet? - Carolyn Beans
Dig into common mistakes that tree-planting programs make, and explore strategies that can successfully re-green the planet.--In fighting climate change, few solutions are discussed more than planting lots and lots of trees. It sounds simple enough: trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, so planting more should help eliminate greenhouse gasses. The trouble is, tree planting efforts don’t always wor
Haptography: Converting our sense of touch into digital code - Katherine Kuchenbecker
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/haptography-digitizing-our-sense-of-touch-katherine-kuchenbeckerCan the sense of touch be harnessed with technology? The field of haptics explores the revolutionary: interactive touch technology. At TEDYouth 2012, Katherine Kuchenbecker discusses how haptics has the potential to change fields as disparate as museums, dentistry, and stroke rehabilitation.
The science of humor - Sasha Winkler
Explore the common scientific theories about why humans laugh, and how this universal behavior evolved.--Isn’t it odd that, when something’s funny, you might show your teeth, change your breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry? In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is laughter? Since there’s no archaeological record of laughter, it’s impossible to say exac
4 lessons from robots about being human - Ken Goldberg
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/4-lessons-from-robots-about-being-human-ken-goldbergThe more that robots ingrain themselves into our everyday lives, the more we're forced to examine ourselves as people. At TEDxBerkeley, Ken Goldberg shares four very human lessons that he's learned from working with robots. (Filmed at TEDxBerkeley.)Talk by Ken Goldberg.
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Will humanity embrace neo-evolution? - Harvey Fineberg
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/are-we-ready-for-neo-evolution-harvey-finebergMedical ethicist Harvey Fineberg shows us three paths forward for the ever-evolving human species: to stop evolving completely, to evolve naturally -- or to control the next steps of human evolution, using genetic modification, to make ourselves smarter, faster, better. Neo-evolution is within our grasp. What
How to get motivated even when you lack the urge
Explore the psychology of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and dig into how these forces contribute to our drive.--Motivation is complicated. Psychologists define motivation as the desire or impetus to initiate and maintain a particular behavior. But sometimes, no matter how passionate you are about a goal or hobby, finding the motivation to actually do it can be difficult. Why is motivation so
The secret society of the Great Dismal Swamp - Dan Sayers
Uncover the history of the hidden communities that inhabited the Great Dismal Swamp in North America. --Straddling Virginia and North Carolina is an area that was once described as the “most repulsive of American possessions.” By 1728, it was known as the Great Dismal Swamp. But while many deemed it uninhabitable, recent findings suggest that a hidden society persisted in the Swamp until the mid-1
Toward a new understanding of mental illness - Thomas Insel
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/toward-a-new-understanding-of-mental-illness-thomas-inselToday, thanks to better early detection, there are 63% fewer deaths from heart disease than there were just a few decades ago. Thomas Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, wonders: Could we do the same for depression and schizophrenia? The first step in this new avenue of rese
The vanished craft of democratic debate - Michael Sandel
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-lost-art-of-democratic-debate-michael-sandelDemocracy thrives on civil debate, Michael Sandel says -- but we're shamefully out of practice. He leads a fun refresher, with TEDsters sparring over a recent Supreme Court case (PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin) whose outcome reveals the critical ingredient in justice.Talk by Michael Sandel.
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Why has Texas hold 'em become so widespread? - James McManus
Dig into the history of poker, from the game’s invention in the American South to its explosion of popularity across the world.--From its earliest incarnations, poker has always been a contest of guile, guts, and gambling. The game first emerged around 1800 in the melting pot of New Orleans, and soon spread up the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri rivers. So, how did this simple game of the American
Creating a digital museum of museums with Amit Sood
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/building-a-museum-of-museums-on-the-web-amit-soodImagine being able to see artwork in the greatest museums around the world without leaving your chair. Driven by his passion for art, Amit Sood tells the story of how he developed Art Project to let people do just that.Talk by Amit Sood.
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Are pandas the most misinterpreted animal? - Lucy Cooke
Uncover the most common misperceptions about pandas, and find out why it's so difficult for them to breed in captivity.--In the 1930’s, a grand panda drama unfolded at the Chicago Zoo. Zookeepers procured a female panda named Mei Mei, and they were determined to find her a mate. They found a prospective suitor named Mei Lan, and the public eagerly awaited the patter of tiny panda paws. But the wai
How the COVID-19 vaccines were created so quickly - Kaitlyn Sadtler and Elizabeth Wayne
Discover how mRNA vaccines help your immune system fight viral infections and how this decades-old technology was used to create COVID-19 vaccines.--In the 20th century, most vaccines took over a decade to research, test, and produce. But the vaccines for COVID-19 were cleared for emergency use in less than 11 months. The secret behind this speed is a medical technology that’s been developing for
The secret force of smiling - Ron Gutman
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-hidden-power-of-smiling-ron-gutmanRon Gutman reviews a raft of studies about smiling, and reveals some surprising results. Did you know your smile can be a predictor of how long you'll live -- and that a simple smile has a measurable effect on your overall well-being? Prepare to flex a few facial muscles as you learn more about this evolutionarily co
Why is rice so beloved? - Carolyn Beans
Dig into how rice became a staple in the world’s diet, and the surprising consequences of its traditional production practices.--Rice contributes over 20% of the calories consumed by humans each year. Korean bibimbap, Nigerian jollof, Indian biryani, Spanish paella, and countless other culinary masterpieces all begin with rice. So how did this humble grain end up in so many cuisines? Carolyn Beans
Silk, the ageless material of what's to come - Fiorenzo Omenetto
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/silk-the-ancient-material-of-the-future-fiorenzo-omenettoFiorenzo Omenetto shares 20+ astonishing new uses for silk, one of nature's most elegant materials -- in transmitting light, improving sustainability, adding strength and making medical leaps and bounds. On stage, he shows a few intriguing items made of the versatile stuff.Talk by Fiorenzo Omenetto
How much would it cost to purchase the ocean? - Astrid J. Hsu
Dig into the monetary value of the ocean, from global trade, to tourism, fishing, and more, as Poseidon contemplates selling it.--Surveying his vast domain, Poseidon considers retirement. What if someone else donned the coral crown so he could spend his immortality harmonizing with whales and cozying up to hydrothermal vents? Poseidon decides he needs to prioritize himself for once. So, he summons
Free falling in outer space - Matt J. Carlson
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/free-falling-in-outer-space-matt-j-carlsonIf you were to orbit the Earth, you'd experience the feeling of free fall, not unlike what your stomach feels before a big dive on a roller coaster. With a little help from Sir Isaac Newton, Matt J. Carlson explains the basic forces acting on an astronaut and why you probably shouldn't try this one at home. Lesso
The secret artistry of pollination - Louie Schwartzberg
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-hidden-beauty-of-pollination-louie-schwartzbergPollination: it's vital to life on Earth but largely unseen by the human eye. Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg shows us the intricate world of pollen and pollinators with gorgeous high-speed images from his film "Wings of Life," inspired by the vanishing of one of nature's primary pollinators, the honeybee.T
History vs. Egypt's "strongest" pharaoh - Jessica Tomkins
Pharaoh Ramesses II presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity— but was he a model leader or a master of propaganda?--Pharaoh Ramesses II reigned for almost 70 years in the 13th century BCE. He presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity, power, and wealth. But was he a model leader or a shameless egomaniac and master of propaganda? Jessica Tomkins puts this controversial figure on tr
Guard against internet "filter bubbles" - Eli Pariser
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/beware-online-filter-bubbles-eli-pariserAs web companies strive to tailor their services (including news and search results) to our personal tastes, there's a dangerous unintended consequence: We get trapped in a "filter bubble" and don't get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview. Eli Pariser argues powerfully that this wil
How to recognize if you're self-interested (and whether that's actually harmful) - Mark Hopwood
Explore a classic philosophical debate and decide: is it human nature to be selfish? And if so, is it possible to overcome it?--The question of whether or not humans are inherently selfish is one of philosophy’s oldest debates. The idea that we only act out of self-interest is an extreme stance that few philosophers would endorse. However, the idea that all humans have a deep selfish streak is som
Can you outsmart the slippery slope fallacy? - Elizabeth Cox
Dig into the slippery slope fallacy, which assumes that one step will lead to a series of events that lead to an extreme— often bad— scenario.--It’s 1954. Vietnamese nationalists are on the verge of securing an independent Vietnam under communist leader Ho Chi Minh. U.S. President Eisenhower claims that by virtue of the "falling domino principle," communist control of Vietnam would lead to the glo
Your elusive creative mind - Elizabeth Gilbert
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/your-elusive-creative-genius-elizabeth-gilbertElizabeth 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.Talk by Elizabeth Gilbert.
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Would you raise the baby that devoured your siblings? - Francesca Barbero
Explore how the offspring of parasitic butterflies trick their way into ant colonies for food and protection.--You might not guess it, but Alcon blue butterflies are just one of over 200 parasitic butterfly species, all of which target ants. And their offspring live highly unusual lives, tricking their way into ant colonies using mimicry. So, how do these butterflies do it— and why? Francesa Barbe
How farming cultivated seeds for the Internet - Patricia Russac
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-farming-planted-seeds-for-the-internet-patricia-russacWhat does farming have to do with invention and innovation? Permanent residences, division of labor, central government, and complex technologies--all essential for advancing civilizations--could not have been developed without the move from hunting-gathering to farming. Patricia Russac explores h
The true cause behind dodo bird extinction - Leon Claessens
Uncover the most common misperceptions about dodos, and find out the truth of how the flightless birds actually went extinct.--Dodos are commonly considered brainless, blundering birds that were poorly adapted and doomed to die off, making their human-mediated extinction effortless and inevitable. But that’s not the case. So, what were dodos actually like? And what really caused their downfall? Le
On spaghetti sauce - Malcolm Gladwell
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/malcolm-gladwell-on-spaghetti-sauceTipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell gets inside the food industry's pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce -- and makes a larger argument about the nature of choice and happiness. Talk by Malcolm Gladwell.
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Why do visual illusions occur? - Mark Changizi
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-we-see-illusions-mark-changiziWhy can't our extremely complex eyes render simple optical illusions? Surprise, surprise -- it comes back to the brain, which has only evolved to encounter natural stimuli. At TEDYouth 2012, Mark Changizi explains how the brain reckons with optical illusions.Talk by Mark Changizi.
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How does alcohol lead to blackouts? - Shannon Odell
Explore how alcohol interacts with your brain, and how it can interrupt the brain’s memory networks, leading to blackouts.--Alcohol has been shown to have strange and selective effects on the brain. Many intoxicated people can perform complex tasks like holding a detailed conversation or navigating a walk home. Yet for those experiencing a blackout, the memory of these events is quickly forgotten.
How we can detect pretty much anything - Hélène Morlon and Anna Papadopoulou
Explore how scientists use environmental DNA (eDNA) in a technique called DNA metabarcoding to find and track species.--Scientists have been staking out a forest in Montana for an animal that’s notoriously tricky to find. Camera traps haven’t offered definitive evidence, and experts can’t identify its tracks with certainty. But within the past decades, researchers have developed methods that can d
On positive psychology - Martin Seligman
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/martin-seligman-on-positive-psychologyMartin Seligman talks about psychology -- as a field of study and as it works one-on-one with each patient and each practitioner. As it moves beyond a focus on disease, what can modern psychology help us to become? Talk by Martin Seligman.
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