By 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: https://www.ted.com/pages/791 Talk by Willie Smits. Learn more about your ad c...
Mar 04, 2026•26 min
Explore the possibility of nuclear fusion technology to create limitless, on-demand energy with almost no emissions. -- Stars have cores hot and dense enough to force atomic nuclei together, forming larger, heavier nuclei in a process known as fusion. In this process, the mass of the end products is slightly less than the mass of the initial atoms. But that “lost” mass doesn’t disappear — it’s converted to energy ... a lot of energy. So, can we harness this energy to power the world? George Zaid...
Mar 04, 2026•7 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-benjamin-button-got-his-face-ed-ulbrich Ed Ulbrich, the digital-effects guru from Digital Domain, explains the Oscar-winning technology that allowed his team to digitally create the older versions of Brad Pitt's face for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Talk by Ed Ulbrich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 04, 2026•24 min
Explore what happens in the body during miscarriage, and learn about three common treatment options for pregnancy loss. -- Globally, around 23 million pregnancies end in miscarriage each year. Despite how common it is, miscarriage can still feel isolating, and for some, emotionally traumatizing. And myths about miscarriage add to the stigma, leading many to blame themselves for the loss. So what happens in the body during miscarriage? Nassim Assefi & Emily M. Godfrey take a closer look at pr...
Mar 04, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-el-sistema-music-revolution-jose-antonio-abreu Jose Antonio Abreu is the charismatic founder of a youth orchestra system that has transformed thousands of kids' lives in Venezuela. Here he shares his amazing story and unveils a TED Prize wish that could have a big impact in the US and beyond. Talk by Jose Antonio Abreu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 03, 2026•23 min
Explore how fish use their gills to breathe, and how these processes make them some of the most efficient breathers on Earth. -- Recent studies found that elite runners can take in twice as much oxygen as non-runners. And it’s likely that this superhuman ability played a role in breaking the two-hour marathon barrier in 2019. But when it comes to breathing efficiently, not even the best runners can compete with the average fish. What makes fish some of the best breathers on Earth? Dan Kwartler e...
Mar 03, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/toy-tiles-that-talk-to-each-other-david-merrill MIT 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? Talk by David Merrill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 03, 2026•10 min
Get to know the Greek myth of Cadmus, who unknowingly killed Ares’ serpent and faced the wrath and retribution of the gods. -- When Cadmus walked the Earth, just a few generations separated him from his divine ancestors. From atop Mount Olympus, they scrutinized and meddled with mortals like himself. Cadmus was a skilled warrior and heir to the Phoenician throne, but he wouldn’t stay in the gods’ favor for long— a critical mistake would seal his tragic fate. Iseult Gillespie details the Greek my...
Mar 03, 2026•7 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mosquitos-malaria-and-education-bill-gates Bill 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. Talk by Bill Gates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 03, 2026•26 min
Explore the incredible variety of tongues in the animal kingdom, and find out how different species utilize the appendage to survive. -- An alligator snapping turtle lures its prey using a blood-engorged tongue that resembles a wriggling worm. And it’s far from the only animal doing tongue trickery. Tongues in the animal kingdom vary widely — from texture and length, to shape and dexterity. So, what's the point of having so many different kinds of tongues? Cella Wright explores how different spe...
Mar 03, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-i-m-a-weekday-vegetarian-graham-hill We all know the arguments that being vegetarian is better for the environment and for the animals -- but in a carnivorous culture, it can be hard to make the change. Graham Hill has a powerful, pragmatic suggestion: Be a weekday veg. Talk by Graham Hill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 02, 2026•6 min
Explore the unique characteristics that make fungi so resilient, and find out why they may be the key to future space travel. -- Astronauts aboard the space station Mir made a frightening discovery: several species of Earth-derived fungi were found growing throughout the shuttle, blanketing air conditioners and corroding control panels, putting both the station’s integrity and their lives at risk. How had the fungi survived the journey to space? Shannon Odell shares why fungi may be the key to o...
Mar 02, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/toward-a-science-of-simplicity-george-whitesides Simplicity: We know it when we see it -- but what is it, exactly? In this funny, philosophical talk, George Whitesides chisels out an answer. Talk by George Whitesides. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 02, 2026•25 min
Explore the complex anatomy of the elbow, and find out why hitting your funny bone causes such an odd and painful sensation. -- It's something we've all experienced: the back of your elbow smacks against a hard surface and the impact sends a sensation so distinctly disquieting shooting down your arm that it takes several moments to regain composure. So, why does hitting this spot on your elbow— commonly known as the funny bone— feel so weird? Cella Wright explains one of the most complicated joi...
Mar 02, 2026•6 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-adults-can-learn-from-kids-adora-svitak Child prodigy Adora Svitak says the world needs "childish" thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids' big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups' willingness to learn from children as much as to teach. Talk by Adora Svitak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 02, 2026•11 min
Uncover the oil industry’s decades-long campaign to discredit climate change science regarding the danger of fossil fuels. -- Throughout the 1980s, oil industry reps discussed the dangers of burning fossil fuels, acknowledging the risk their product posed to the future of humanity. However, instead of warning the public or pivoting towards renewable energy sources, they doubled down on oil — and launched a decades-long campaign to discredit climate change science. Stephanie Honchell Smith digs i...
Mar 02, 2026•9 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mapping-the-world-with-twitter-jer-thorp Good morning, Twitter! Millions of tweets are sent everyday, and from these tweets, we can gather a lot of information about people's lives: where they travel, when they wake up, and their opinions on pretty much everything. In this TEDYouth 2012 Talk, former New York Times data artist-in-residence Jer Thorp imagines what uses we can devise from this wealth of information. Talk by Jer Thorp. Learn more about you...
Mar 01, 2026•8 min
Dig into how Alzheimer’s disease affects your brain and cognitive abilities, and what makes the disorder so hard to treat. -- Around the world, millions of people have Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and other cognitive abilities. While doctors have studied Alzheimer’s for decades, conducting hundreds of clinical trials, there is still no effective preventive treatment or cure. So, why is Alzheimer’s disease so difficult to treat? Kris...
Mar 01, 2026•9 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/football-physics-scalars-and-vectors-michelle-buchanan An unbelievable play on an American Football field is the perfect backdrop for understanding crucial physics concepts. Michelle Buchanan goes play-by-play on the vectors, the scalars, and the glory of a downright scientific touchdown. Lesson by Michelle Buchanan, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mar 01, 2026•7 min
Trace the rise and fall of the powdered wig fashion craze, from King Louis XIII to the French Revolution in the 18th century. -- Wigs date at least as far back as ancient Egypt, where well-regarded hairdressers crafted them into intricate styles. And under certain ancient Roman dynasties, women’s wigs became particularly ornate. Yet it wasn’t until Louis XIII unveiled a magnificent mane in the 17th century that big wigs truly began booming. Stephanie Honchell Smith details the rise and fall of t...
Mar 01, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/distorting-madonna-in-medieval-art-james-earle After Rome was destroyed, people were wary of attachment to physical beauty. As Christianity gained traction, Romans instead began to focus on the metaphysical beauty of virtue, and art began to follow suit. James Earle discusses how Medieval paintings of Madonna were affected by this shift. Lesson by James Earle ( https://www.youtube.com/user/AmorSciendi), animation by Hero 4 Hire Creative. Learn more abo...
Mar 01, 2026•5 min
Learn more at https://brilliant.org/TedEd -- Within the periodic table loom many potential hazardous elements. Some elements are dangerous due to their toxicity. Others are dangerous because of how they respond, react, or even explode in the outside environment. And perhaps the most threatening elements are those that silently emit energy. So, which substances on the periodic table are the most dangerous? Shannon Odell investigates. Lesson by Shannon Odell, directed by Anton Bogaty. This video m...
Mar 01, 2026•6 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/inventing-the-american-presidency-kenneth-c-davis When the founders of the United States gathered to create the foundations of the country, they decided on three branches of government, with a president central to the executive branch. Kenneth C. Davis explains why this decision was not necessarily inevitable and what variables were up for debate. Lesson by Kenneth C. Davis, animation by G. Melissa Graziano-Humphrey. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Feb 28, 2026•6 min
Explore the science of how certain HPVs can cause warts, and what you should do if you get one of these bumpy skin growths. -- Throughout history, people have attributed warts to contact with things like sea foam, boiled egg water, and, of course, toads. Fortunately, we now know that warts are not caused by toads, but are actually caused by human papillomaviruses, or HPVs. So, how exactly do HPVs lead to warts? And what should you do if you get one? Cella Wright explores the science of these bum...
Feb 28, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/let-s-simplify-legal-jargon-alan-siegel Tax forms, credit agreements, healthcare legislation: They're crammed with gobbledygook, says Alan Siegel, and incomprehensibly long. He calls for a simple, sensible redesign -- and plain English -- to make legal paperwork intelligible to the rest of us. Talk by Alan Siegel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Feb 28, 2026•7 min
Explore how a toxin-producing bacterium causes tetanus, and how to identify its common symptoms and best prevention practices. -- In the 5th century, a ship master was suffering from a nasty infection that caused his jaws to press together, his teeth to lock up, and the muscles in his neck and spine to spasm. Today we know this account to be one the first recorded cases of tetanus. So, what causes this peculiar infection? Louise Thwaites explores how tetanus affects our bodies, and how we can pr...
Feb 28, 2026•7 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/science-can-answer-moral-questions-sam-harris Questions of good and evil, right and wrong are commonly thought unanswerable by science. But Sam Harris argues that science can -- and should -- be an authority on moral issues, shaping human values and setting out what constitutes a good life. Talk by Sam Harris. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Feb 28, 2026•30 min
Explore the chemistry behind what makes kevlar so strong, and how this essential synthetic fiber was invented. -- By 1975, Richard Davis had been shot at close range 192 times. But not only was he completely healthy, each of those bullets were part of a demonstration to sell his new product: the bulletproof vest. So, how does such a light, flexible piece of clothing stop a bullet? The secret was a synthetic fiber material invented a decade earlier. Max G. Levy explores the incredible strength of...
Feb 28, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-i-fell-in-love-with-a-fish-dan-barber Chef Dan Barber squares off with a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu. With impeccable research and deadpan humor, he chronicles his pursuit of a sustainable fish he could love and the foodie's honeymoon he's enjoyed since discovering an outrageously delicious fish raised using a revolutionary farming method in Spain. Talk by Dan Barber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Feb 27, 2026•25 min
Dig into what makes whale poop so vitally important to ocean health, and how it helps support countless other marine life forms. -- Whales frequently surface to take in air and let out massive plumes of waste. And while this slurry might seem disgusting, whale poop is much more desirable than it may seem. In fact, it may be one of the most important substances in the ocean — and the world. So, what makes whale poop so vital to our ecosystems? David Biello shares the surprising benefits of whale ...
Feb 27, 2026•8 min
