View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-mathematics-of-history-jean-baptiste-michel What can mathematics say about history? According to TED Fellow Jean-Baptiste Michel, quite a lot. From changes to language to the deadliness of wars, he shows how digitized history is just starting to reveal deep underlying patterns. Talk by Jean-Baptiste Michel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Explore the 6 most common misconceptions about the Middle Ages, and find out what living in medieval times was actually like. -- Medieval Europe. Where unbathed, sword-wielding knights ate rotten meat, thought the Earth was flat, defended chastity-belt wearing maidens, and tortured their foes with grisly gadgets. Except… this is more fiction than fact. So, where do all the myths about the Middle Ages come from? And what were they actually like? Stephanie Honchell Smith debunks common misconcepti...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-happened-to-antimatter-rolf-landua Particles come in pairs, which is why there should be an equal amount of matter and antimatter in the universe. Yet, scientists have not been able to detect any in the visible universe. Where is this missing antimatter? CERN scientist Rolf Landua returns to the seconds after the Big Bang to explain the disparity that allows humans to exist today. Lesson by Rolf Landua, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your a...
Explore how the domestication of horses influenced the fate of entire civilizations and dramatically altered human history. -- People have been captivated by horses for a long time. They appear more than any other animal in cave paintings dating back 30,000 years. But how did horses make the journey from wild animals to ones humans could hitch themselves to and even ride? William T. Taylor explores how the domestication of horses influenced the fate of entire civilizations and dramatically alter...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-basics-of-boson-dave-barney-and-steve-goldfarb In 2012, scientists at CERN discovered evidence of the Higgs boson. The what? The Higgs boson is one of two types of fundamental particles and is a particular game-changer in the field of particle physics, proving how particles gain mass. Using the Socratic method, CERN scientists Dave Barney and Steve Goldfarb explain the exciting implications of the Higgs boson. Lesson by Dave Barney and Steve Goldfa...
How do we keep labs that handle dangerous pathogens safe and leak-free? Dig into the ongoing debate over virology research. -- Since the 1970s, researchers have engineered superbugs. While this research could help us prepare for future outbreaks, the stakes of this work are extremely high: if even one dangerous virus escaped a lab, it could cause a global pandemic. So, what can we do to minimize risk? And is the knowledge gained even worth the risk in the first place? Dig into the ongoing debate...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/exploration-on-the-big-data-frontier-tim-smith There is a mind-boggling amount of data floating around our society. Physicists at CERN have been pondering how to store and share their ever more massive data for decades - stimulating globalization of the internet along the way, whilst 'solving' their big data problem. Tim Smith plots CERN's involvement with big data from fifty years ago to today. Lesson by Tim Smith, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more abou...
Explore the science behind how your body and brain process different sensations like touch, pain, temperature, and spatial awareness. -- We don’t often think of touch as being a vital part of movement, but touch is one part of a network that oversees all the sensations arising from the surface and interior of our bodies. Touch, pain, temperature, and our spatial awareness are regulated by this system. So, how exactly do our brains process these sensations? And what happens when something goes wr...
Check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/teded View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/dark-matter-the-matter-we-can-t-see-james-gillies The Greeks had a simple and elegant formula for the universe: just earth, fire, wind, and water. Turns out there's more to it than that -- a lot more. Visible matter (and that goes beyond the four Greek elements) comprises only 4% of the universe. CERN scientist James Gillies tells us what accounts for the remaining 96% (dark matter and dark ener...
Join siblings Hisham and Asma in medieval Baghdad as they prepare and gather supplies for the hajj, a holy pilgrimage to Mecca. -- It’s 791 CE. As the morning sun shines on the Golden Gate Palace, brother and sister Hisham and Asma prepare for the journey of a lifetime: the hajj, a holy pilgrimage to Mecca. They intend to travel with the big hajj caravan— but a last-minute mishap threatens to undo months of careful planning. Birte Kristiansen and Petra Sijpesteijn detail a day in the life of sib...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-did-feathers-evolve-carl-zimmer To look at the evolution of modern bird feathers, we must start a long time ago, with the dinosaurs from whence they came. We see early incarnations of feathers on dinosaur fossils, and remnants of dinosaurs in a bird's wish bone. Carl Zimmer explores the stages of evolution and how even the reasons for feathers have evolved over millions of years. Lesson by Carl Zimmer, animation by Armella Leung. Learn more about y...
Take a look inside the leafcutter ant colony as a queen begins her reign and the ants work to sustain their supply of fungus. -- In a Texas clearing, an ancient tale that ties four species together is unfurling. The first involved is a soon-to-be queen leafcutter ant. The second is fungus, a piece of which she scoops into her mouth pocket. The third are cockroaches, which nestle under her wings. And the fourth is the one that threatens them all. Charles Wallace takes a look inside the ant colony...
Over the years, research has shown a counterintuitive fact about human nature: That sometimes, having too much choice makes us less happy. This may even be true when it comes to medical treatment. Baba Shiv shares a fascinating study that measures why choice opens the door to doubt, and suggests that ceding control -- especially on life-or-death decisions -- may be the best thing for us. (Filmed at TEDxStanford.) Talk by Baba Shiv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd -- A few years ago, the king decided your life would be forfeit unless you tripled the gold coins in his treasury. Fortunately, a strange little man appeared and magically performed the feat. Unfortunately, you promised him your first-born child in exchange for his help — and today he’s come to collect. Can you figure out how to outsmart the man and keep your baby? Dan Finkel shows how. Lesson by Dan Finkel, directed by Gavin Edwards, ...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-tuxedo-jessica-oreck How did tuxedo's roots extend from Native American history to black tie evening wear? Jessica Oreck reveals what the Delaware Indians and formal fashion have in common. Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dig into the science of stretching, and find out what it actually does to your muscles and how you can improve your flexibility. -- An athlete is preparing for a game. They’ve put on their gear and done their warmup, and now it’s time for one more routine — stretching. Typically, athletes stretch before physical activity to avoid injuries like strains and tears. But does stretching actually prevent these issues? And if so, how long do the benefits of stretching last? Malachy McHugh explores the ...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-you-know-whom-to-trust-ram-neta We believe a lot of things because we've been told - from our personal acquaintances and also experts. With so many belief systems being passed to us, how do we know whom to trust? Using contemporary examples, Ram Neta explains when listening to experts is a good idea...and when it's not. Lesson by Ram Neta, animation by Colleen Cox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Is the 21st century the most pivotal time in human history? Explore how the decisions we make now may impact humanity’s future. -- Is it possible that this century is the most important one in human history? The 21st century has already proven to be a period of rapid growth. We’re on the cusp of developing new technologies that could entirely change the way people live— and could contribute to unprecedented levels of existential risk. Explore how the decisions we make now might have a major impa...
A dung beetle has a brain the size of a grain of rice, and yet shows a tremendous amount of intelligence when it comes to rolling its food source -- animal excrement -- home. How? It all comes down to a dance. (Filmed at TEDxWitsUniversity.) Talk by Marcus Byrne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Explore the science of parthenogenesis, a form of reproduction which allows animals to develop an embryo without fertilization. -- In 2021, workers at a Sardinian aquarium were stunned by the birth of a smooth-hound shark. What was shocking was that, for the last decade, the shark’s mother had been living only with other females. So, how was this birth possible? And can other species reproduce this way? Susana Freitas and Darren Parker explore the phenomenon of asexual reproduction known as part...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-host-of-heroes-april-gudenrath What can some of literature's most famous heroes teach us? From the epic hero (like Beowulf) to the tragic hero (like Oedipus), each has something distinctive to share. April Gudenrath describes the many faces of the fictional hero -- and shows how they can inspire everyday people. Lesson by April Gudenrath, animation by Buzzco Associates, inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Get to know the Hawaiian legend of the sacred wind gourd and follow Paka’a's fight to restore his rightful place beside the king. -- Long ago, the Hawaiian wind goddess wielded a gourd that housed the winds of the Islands. It came to hold her bones, along with the life force they carried, and was eventually passed to her grandson, Paka'a. Like his father before him, he became the trusted attendant to the king of Hawaii. But his privileged status also made him a target. Sydney Iaukea shares the t...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/pool-medical-patents-save-lives-ellen-t-hoen Patenting a new drug helps finance its immense cost to develop -- but that same patent can put advanced treatments out of reach for sick people in developing nations, at deadly cost. Ellen 't Hoen talks about an elegant, working solution to the problem: the Medicines Patent Pool. (Filmed at TEDxZurich.) Talk by Ellen 't Hoen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dig into the science of fecal microbial transplantation, where doctors transfer feces into a patient to help reset their gut microbiome. -- 1,700 years ago, Chinese alchemist Ge Hong was renowned for his soup that could cure diarrhea-stricken patients. It had a surprising secret ingredient: feces. While it might seem unwise to consume feces, exciting new research suggests that taking poop into the body in other ways might benefit our health. Kathryn M. Stephenson & David L. Suskind share the...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-40-year-plan-for-energy-amory-lovins In this intimate talk filmed at TED's offices, energy innovator Amory Lovins shows how to get the US off oil and coal by 2050, $5 trillion cheaper, with no Act of Congress, led by business for profit. The key is integrating all four energy-using sectors—and four kinds of innovation. Talk by Amory Lovins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Discover what caused the hole in the ozone layer, and how the Montreal Protocol helped restore it by banning harmful chemicals. -- In the 1980s, the world faced a huge problem: there was a rapidly expanding hole in the ozone layer. If it continued to grow, rates of skin cancer could skyrocket, photosynthesis would be impaired, agricultural production would plummet, and entire ecosystems would collapse. So, what happened? Stephanie Honchell Smith shares how decisive global cooperation helped rest...
Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side -- and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial. Talk by Tali Sharot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 explode. So, how did we actually end up with this whimsical food? Andrew Smith traces the history of ...
Oops! Nobody wants to see the 404: Page Not Found. But as Renny Gleeson shows us, while he runs through a slideshow of creative and funny 404 pages, every error is really a chance to build a better relationship. Talk by Renny Gleeson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dig into the breeding program that saved Takhi horses from extinction, and explore the role of zoos in animal conservation. -- For thousands of years, native Takhi horses roamed the steppes of Central Asia. But by the late 1960s, their extinction seemed inevitable. To prevent this, scientists and zoos started a breeding program and soon began releasing new generations of Asia's ancient wild horse back into their native habitat. Nigel Rothfels explains the twists and turns of this complicated con...
