TED Talks2

Why is there something instead of nothing? In other words: Why does the universe exist (and why are we in it)? Philosopher and writer Jim Holt follows this question toward three possible answers. Or four. Or none.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zORUUqJd81M

Jan 16, 2007 length 20:22

Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM

September 2006 length 20:13

This is Broken -- Why are so many things broken? In a hilarious talk from the 2006 Gel conference, Seth Godin gives a tour of things poorly designed, the 7 reasons why they are that way, and how to fix them.

https://www.ted.com/talks/seth_godin_this_is_broken_1

February 2008 length 23:07

The Psychology of Evil -- Philip Zimbardo knows how easy it is for nice people to turn bad. In this talk, he shares insights and graphic unseen photos from the Abu Ghraib trials. Then he talks about the flip side: how easy it is to be a hero, and how we can rise to the challenge.

https://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_on_the_psychology_of_evil

June 2010 length 20:11

The Power of Vulnerability -- 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

https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en

Apr 23, 2008 length 19:06

In clear, nontechnical language, string theorist Brian Greene explains how our understanding of the universe has evolved from Einstein's notions of gravity and space-time to superstring theory, where minuscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe. (This mind-bending theory may soon be put to the test at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtdE662eY_M

November 2011 Victoria, Canada TedX length 17:33

The True Cost of Oil -- What does environmental devastation actually look like? At TEDxVictoria, photographer Garth Lenz shares shocking photos of the Alberta Tar Sands mining project -- and the beautiful (and vital) ecosystems under threat.

https://www.ted.com/talks/garth_lenz_images_of_beauty_and_devastation?language=en

February 2012 length 3:49

Why is 'x' the symbol for an unknown? In this short and funny talk, Terry Moore gives the surprising answer.

https://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_why_is_x_the_unknown#t-208448

March 2015 length 17:15

Your kids might live on Mars. Here's how they'll survive. -- Stephen Petranek considers it fact: within 20 years, humans will live on Mars. In this provocative talk, Petranek makes the case that humans will become a spacefaring species and describes in fascinating detail how we'll make Mars our next home.

https://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_petranek_your_kids_might_live_on_mars_here_s_how_they_ll_survive?rid=BI6NVCn4zqxL

TEDGlobal>London | September 2015 length 15:54

How CRISPR Lets Us Edit Our DNA -- Geneticist Jennifer Doudna co-invented a groundbreaking new technology for editing genes, called CRISPR-Cas9. The tool allows scientists to make precise edits to DNA strands, which could lead to treatments for genetic diseases ... but could also be used to create so-called "designer babies." Doudna reviews how CRISPR-Cas9 works -- and asks the scientific community to pause and discuss the ethics of this new tool.

https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_doudna_we_can_now_edit_our_dna_but_let_s_do_it_wise

Last year: some picks

Sep 15, 2018 length 4:46

What does the love song of a mosquito sound like? Find out as neuroscientist Greg Gage and his colleagues explore the meaning of all that annoying buzzing in your ear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcm3rPz_Q94

April 2018 length 5:42

Did humans evolve from monkeys or from fish? In this enlightening talk, ichthyologist and TED Fellow Prosanta Chakrabarty dispels some hardwired myths about evolution, encouraging us to remember that we're a small part of a complex, four-billion-year process -- and not the end of the line.

https://www.ted.com/talks/prosanta_chakrabarty_four_billion_years_of_evolution_in_six_minutes

April 2018 length 18:32

In his analysis of recent data on homicide, war, poverty, pollution and more, psychologist Steven Pinker finds that we're doing better now in every one of them when compared with 30 years ago. But progress isn't inevitable,

https://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_is_the_world_getting_better_or_worse_a_look_at_the_numbers

April 2018 length 16:38

Oceanographer Penny Chisholm introduces us to an amazing little being: Prochlorococcus, the most abundant photosynthetic species on the planet. A marine microbe that has existed for millions of years, Prochlorococcus wasn't discovered until the mid-1980s -- but its ancient genetic code may hold clues to how we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

https://www.ted.com/talks/penny_chisholm_the_tiny_creature_that_secretly_powers_the_planet

Recent (2019)

https://www.ted.com/talks List of the most recent talks. Various lengths

TEDxMileHigh | June 2018 length 11:43

The Surprising Connection Between Brain Injuries and Crime -- Here's a shocking statistic: 50 to 80 percent of people in the criminal justice system in the US have had a traumatic brain injury. In the general public, that number is less than five percent. Neuropsychologist Kim Gorgens shares her research into the connection between brain trauma and the behaviors that keep people in the revolving door of criminal justice -- and some ways to make the system more effective and safer for everyone.

https://www.ted.com/talks/kim_gorgens_the_surprising_connection_between_brain_injuries_and_crime

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