As Vicki Arroyo says, it's time to prepare our homes and cities for our changing climate, with its increased risk of flooding, drought and uncertainty. She illustrates this inspiring talk with bold projects from cities all over the world -- local examples of thinking ahead. Talk by Vicki Arroyo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You and your team of scientists are trapped on Mars. Can you figure out how to survive on the desert planet? -- Today is the anniversary of the best-worst day of your life. The best part was discovering a subterranean city on Mars. The worst part was when you lost contact with Earth. You and the other 99 scientists have spent the year engineering your survival, but you’re almost out of water and solutions. Can you figure out how the last civilization lived on this desert planet? Henri Picciotto ...
Diseases of the body garner sympathy, says comedian Ruby Wax -- except those of the brain. Why is that? With dazzling energy and humor, Wax, diagnosed a decade ago with clinical depression, urges us to put an end to the stigma of mental illness. Talk by Ruby Wax. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover the myth of Bellerophon, the hero who battled and killed the Chimera monster atop the winged horse Pegasus. -- Shielded from the gorgon’s stone gaze, Perseus crept through Medusa’s cave. When he reached her, he drew his sickle and brought it down on her neck. From Medusa's neck sprung two children. One was a giant wielding a golden sword; the other was the magnificent, winged horse, Pegasus. No bridle could contain him— until one fateful day. Iseult Gillespie details the myth of the her...
What do science and play have in common? Neuroscientist Beau Lotto thinks all people (kids included) should participate in science and, through the process of discovery, change perceptions. He's seconded by 12-year-old Amy O'Toole, who, along with 25 of her classmates, published the first peer-reviewed article by schoolchildren, about the Blackawton bees project. It starts: "Once upon a time ... " Talk by Beau Lotto and Amy O'Toole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Dig into the Romeo and Juliet Effect, which describes the tendency to find someone more desirable when met by parental opposition. -- In 1972, psychologists at the University of Colorado surveyed 140 couples to determine whether a relationship facing parental disapproval was more likely to strengthen or crumble under the pressure. Can long-term success of a romantic relationship be predicted by the perceived approval or disapproval of the couple’s friends and family? Dig into the trend known as ...
When you're getting medical treatment, or taking part in medical testing, privacy is important; strict laws limit what researchers can see and know about you. But what if your medical data could be used -- anonymously -- by anyone seeking to test a hypothesis? John Wilbanks wonders if the desire to protect our privacy is slowing research, and if opening up medical data could lead to a wave of health care innovation. Talk by John Wilbanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
Dig into the delicate balancing act of how power grids supply energy to the world and how renewable energy factors into this process. -- In 1967, Homer Loutzenheuser flipped a switch and connected the power grids of the United States, forming one interconnected machine. Today, the US power grid is the world’s largest machine, containing more than 7,300 electricity-generating plants. So how exactly do these power plants work? Henry Richardson digs into the delicate balancing act of how power grid...
Art history is far from set in stone. Engineer Maurizio Seracini spent 30 years searching for Leonardo da Vinci's lost fresco "The Battle of Anghiari," and in the process discovered that many paintings have layers of history hidden underneath. Should they be part of the viewing experience too? Talk by Maurizio Seracini. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Explore how economic inequality can be measured and how it is impacted by different governmental policy choices. -- Income and wealth inequality are not new. In fact, economists and historians who have charted economic inequality throughout history haven’t found a single society without it. Which raises a bleak question: is inequality … inevitable? Explore how economic inequality can be measured and how it is impacted by different governmental policy choices. Directed by Natália Azevedo Andrade,...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-inaugurate-jessica-oreck From avian omens to the beginning of a new policy or the reign of a new politician, Jessica Oreck follows the flight path of the word inaugurate. Lesson and animation by Jessica Oreck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Explore how the ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramid, a tomb created for Pharaoh Khufu which took over 20 years to complete. -- As soon as Pharaoh Khufu ascended the throne circa 2575 BCE, work on his eternal resting place began. The structure’s architect, Hemiunu, determined he would need 20 years to finish the royal tomb. But what he could not predict was that this monument would remain the world’s tallest manmade structure for over 3,800 years. Soraya Field Fiorio digs into the construct...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/reasons-for-the-seasons-rebecca-kaplan Why do some regions experience full-time heat while others are reckoning with frigid temperatures and snow? And why are the seasons reversed in the two hemispheres? Rebecca Kaplan explains how the shape of the Earth's orbit around the Sun and the Earth's tilt on its axis affect the amount of sunlight each region receives. Lesson by Rebecca Kaplan, animation by Marc Christoforidis. Learn more about your ad choices....
At what age are you smartest? Dig into how your brain development affects your skills at different stages of your life. -- Tomorrow is the annual Brain Clash — a decathlon of mental challenges, trivia competitions, and puzzles. Amir needs a smart and capable teammate and must choose between three people; all of different ages and talents. So, who should Amir choose for the contest? Shannon Odell breaks down the idea of “smart” and explores how our brain development impacts our skills at various ...
When Colin Stokes' 3-year-old son caught a glimpse of Star Wars, he was instantly obsessed. But what messages did he absorb from the sci-fi classic? Stokes asks for more movies that send positive messages to boys: that cooperation is heroic, and respecting women is as manly as defeating the villain. (Filmed at TEDxBeaconStreet.) Talk by Colin Stokes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dig into the two main ways we fight the viruses that cause the common cold, and find out if it’s possible to create a cure. -- On average, adults catch more than 150 colds throughout their lives. Even with similar symptoms, the cause could be different each time. Common colds are caused by at least 8 different families of virus, each of which can have its own subtypes. How can so many different viruses cause the same illness? And is a cure even possible? Explore the two main strategies we employ...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-fat-george-zaidan As the narrative goes, fat is bad. Well, it's actually more nuanced than that. The type of fat you eat is more impactful on your health than the quantity. George Zaidan examines triglycerides, the varied molecules that make up fat, and how to identify which types of fat you are consuming. Lesson by George Zaidan, animation by Igor Coric. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Download a free audiobook version of “The Midnight Library“ and support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission: https://www.audible.com/ted-ed -- Mumbling fantastical gibberish; devouring blocks of cheese in the nude; peeing in places that aren’t toilets; and jumping out of windows. These are all things people have reportedly done while sleepwalking, a behavior that can be dangerous in some cases. It’s estimated that around 18% of people sleepwalk at least once in their lives. So, what exactly is sleepwalki...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/pruney-fingers-a-gripping-story-mark-changizi Why do fingers become pruney when they get wet? Likely, for the same reasons that tires have treads. Mark Changizi examines the evolutionary reasons for pruney fingers, while exploring natural and manmade phenomena, like river networks, that operate similarly. Lesson by Mark Changizi, animation by Lippy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Explore what happens in the brain to trigger procrastination, and what strategies you can use to break the cycle of this harmful practice. -- The report you’ve been putting off is due tomorrow. It’s time to buckle down, open your computer ... and check your phone. Maybe watch your favorite YouTube channel? Or maybe you should just start in the morning? This is the cycle of procrastination. So, why do we procrastinate when we know it’s bad for us? Explore how your body triggers a procrastination ...
Leslie Morgan Steiner was in "crazy love" -- that is, madly in love with a man who routinely abused her and threatened her life. Steiner tells the dark story of her relationship, correcting misconceptions many people hold about victims of domestic violence, and explaining how we can all help break the silence. (Filmed at TEDxRainier.) Talk by Leslie Morgan Steiner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Explore the different types of capitalism, how they operate, and how they impact issues like climate change and rising inequality. -- People have become increasingly worried that the threats we face today, like climate change and rising inequality, can’t be solved by a capitalist economic system. So, is that true? And if it is, can we fix capitalism or do we need to tear the system down and build a new one from scratch? Explore the different types of capitalism and the role it plays in our socie...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/your-brain-can-solve-algorithms-david-j-malan An algorithm is a mathematical method of solving problems both big and small. Though computers run algorithms constantly, humans can also solve problems with algorithms. David J. Malan explains how algorithms can be used in seemingly simple situations and also complex ones. Lesson by David J. Malan, animation by enjoyanimation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Explore how scientists are developing a flu vaccine that would protect you against every strain— even ones that don’t exist yet. -- There’s a vaccine being developed now that would protect you against every strain of the flu— even ones that don’t exist yet. But influenza is constantly mutating, so is a universal vaccine even possible? And how do you design a vaccine that will be effective against future strains? Explore how scientists are developing new ways to help our immune systems fight viru...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-universal-translator-for-surgeons-steven-schwaitzberg Laparoscopic surgery uses minimally invasive incisions -- which means less pain and shorter recovery times for patients. But Steven Schwaitzberg has run into two problems teaching these techniques to surgeons around the world -- language and distance. He shares how a new technology, which combines video conferencing and a real-time universal translator, could help. Talk by Steven Schwaitzberg. Lea...
Puzzle through a classic ethical dilemma and decide: how do we determine the value of a life, whether human or non-human? -- To protect against a possible resurgence of smallpox, the US government is funding research to improve treatments and vaccines. And since it’s unethical to expose people to a highly lethal virus, labs are using monkeys as research subjects. But is it right to harm these animals to protect humanity from a potential threat? Rebecca L. Walker takes a look at this classic ethi...
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-cinematic-journey-through-visual-effects-don-levy It's been 110 years since Georges Méliès sent a spaceship slamming into the eye of the man on the moon. So how far have visual effects come since then? Working closely with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Don Levy takes us on a visual journey through special effects, from the fakery of early technology to the seamless marvels of modern filmmaking. Talk by Don Levy. Learn more about yo...
Explore the probability of a future pandemic and the steps we can take to reduce its destructiveness. -- We tend to think of pandemics as unlikely events, but disease outbreaks are surprisingly common. Over the past 400 years, the longest stretch of time without a documented outbreak was just four years. So, what’s the probability of experiencing another world-changing pandemic in your lifetime? Explore the likelihood of a future pandemic and the steps we can take to reduce its destructiveness. ...
How do we make sure that development and aid money actually goes to the people who most need it? Sanjay Pradhan of the World Bank Institute lays out three guidelines to help relief efforts make the most impact -- while curbing corruption. One key: connecting the players who are working to change broken systems with the data they need. Talk by Sanjay Pradhan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Explore how oysters use calcium carbonate to create pearls, and how this chemical compound creates a vast array of other materials. -- Despite their iridescent colors and smooth shapes, pearls are actually made of the exact same material as the craggy shell that surrounds them. Pearls, urchin spines, the shells of mussels, snails and clams, even coral— all these structures are made out of the same chemical compound: calcium carbonate. So how does this single ingredient form such a vast array of ...
