View full lesson here: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/scott-kennedy-how-to-prove-a-mathematical-theory Euclid of Alexandria revolutionized the way that mathematics is written, presented or thought about, and introduced the concept of mathematical proofs. Discover what it takes to move from a loose theory or idea to a universally convincing proof. Lesson by Scott Kennedy, animation by Karrot Animation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 18, 2026•6 min
Dig into how sleep deprivation affects the teenage body and brain, and what can be done to help adolescents get enough sleep. -- Sleep deprivation among American teenagers is an epidemic. Only about 1 in 10 teens gets the 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night recommended by sleep scientists and pediatricians. So, what’s going on? And what changes can be made to address this issue? Wendy Troxel shares how early school start times and public policy are depriving adolescents of sleep at a time when they...
May 18, 2026•9 min
In Libya, Zahra' Langhi was part of the "days of rage" movement that helped topple the dictator Gaddafi. But -- then what? In their first elections, Libyans tried an innovative slate of candidates, the "zipper ballot," that ensured equal representation from men and women of both sides. Yet the same gridlocked politics of dominance and exclusion won out. What Libya needs now, Langhi suggests, is collaboration, not competition; compassion, not rage. Talk by Zahra' Langhi. Learn more about your ad ...
May 18, 2026•14 min
View full lesson here: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mark-salata-how-taking-a-bath-led-to-archimedes-principle Stories of discovery and invention often begin with a problem that needs solving. Summoned by the king to investigate a suspicious goldsmith, the early Greek mathematician Archimedes stumbles upon the principle that would make him famous. Lesson by Amdon Consulting's Mark Salata, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 18, 2026•5 min
Dig into what causes the tip of the tongue phenomenon, where your brain struggles to recall a word or term from memory. -- You’re sure you know your 3rd grade teacher’s name— it’s like you’re hovering over it in your mind, but it just won’t materialize. Researchers call this tantalizing torment a “tip-of-the-tongue state,” and it’s something everyone experiences. But what’s actually happening when a word’s caught here, and how can you best get it unstuck? Cella Wright explores why your brain can...
May 18, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jackie-jenkins-greeting-the-world-in-peace Conflict and cultural clashes are a part of our global reality, but so is the universal desire for peace. From Bangladesh to Myanmar to Lesotho, discover this inspiring common sentiment in traditional greetings of peace. Lesson by Jackie Jenkins, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 18, 2026•5 min
Dig into the bitter history of kola nuts, a sacred ingredient in West African culture and part of Coca-Cola's original recipe. -- The kola nut is the seed of the kola tree, a small evergreen native to the forests of West Africa, where it’s long been integral to the cultural fabric of many communities. So, how did this sacred ingredient end up all around the world? And how did it make its way into the original recipe of a drink that billions of people consume every day? Shantel George explores th...
May 18, 2026•8 min
Trace the origins of zombies from the Afro-Haitian religion of vodou, and discover how zombification was a reflection of slavery. -- Zombies have a distinct lineage— one that traces back to Equatorial and Central Africa. For three centuries, African people were enslaved and brought to the Caribbean Islands. There, a religion known as vodou developed, along with the belief that a person’s soul can be captured and stored, becoming a body-less zombie. Christopher M. Moreman uncovers the true origin...
May 18, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/leigh-nataro-what-happens-if-you-guess Will it rain tomorrow? How likely is your favorite team to win the Super Bowl? Questions like these are answered through the mathematics of probability. Watch this artistic visualization of your odds of passing a test if you don't know any of the answers. Lesson by Leigh Nataro, animation by Matthew Saunders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 18, 2026•8 min
Dig into the history of comic books and graphic novels in education, and explore their potential for helping kids learn. -- In the 1940s, comic books became a mass medium, with millions of copies selling every month. Teachers even began experimenting by bringing comics into their classrooms. So, can comic books and graphic novels really help you learn? Gene Luen Yang explores the history of comics in American education, and reveals some unexpected insights about their potential for helping kids ...
May 17, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/michele-weldon-capturing-authentic-narratives Journalism can be much more than reporting. An authentic, human narrative touches audiences and keeps them reading. Learn how to shape a human-centered news story, and the importance of facts, context and heart. Lesson by Michele Weldon, animation by Augenblick Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•5 min
Professional musicians share the key components of being a great performer and what it means to have stage presence. -- "Think Like A Musician" connects you with working musicians who want to help the music-curious and music-passionate hone and share the gift of music with the world. Part interview, part animated course, our first season "Think Like A Performer" features artists sharing their insight on the ins and outs of fine-tuning your instrument and crafting a great performance. Each episod...
May 17, 2026•10 min
Why do we ever stop playing and creating? With charm and humor, celebrated Korean author Young-ha Kim invokes the world's greatest artists to urge you to unleash your inner child -- the artist who wanted to play forever. (Filmed at TEDxSeoul.) Talk by Young-ha Kim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 17, 2026•22 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jessica-wise-how-fiction-can-change-reality Reading and stories can be an escape from real life, a window into another world -- but have you ever considered how new fictional experiences might change your perspective on real, everyday life? From "Pride and Prejudice" to Harry Potter, learn how popular fiction can spark public dialogue and shape culture. Lesson by Jessica Wise, narration by Emilie Soffe, animation by Augenblick Studios. Learn more about...
May 17, 2026•6 min
Learn more at https://brilliant.org/TedEd -- In 1980, philosopher John Searle developed a thought experiment in response to AI advancement at the time. His aim was to interrogate whether a programmed computer has cognitive states, and asked: if a computer looks like it understands something, does that mean it actually understands the way a human does? Charles Wallace and Dan Kwartler explore whether or not AI could have a mind like ours. Lesson by Charles Wallace and Dan Kwartler, directed by He...
May 17, 2026•9 min
Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd -- As Numberland’s best detective, you thought you’d seen it all. But the desiccated corpses of prominent natural numbers have been showing up all over the city. A lockdown is ordered from sundown to sunrise, and it’s still not enough to stop what can only be described as a vampiric feeding frenzy. Can you figure out why the citizens of Numberland are being attacked? Henri Picciotto shows how. Lesson by Henri Picciotto, directed by Igo...
May 17, 2026•9 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/steve-kelly-logarithms-explained What are logarithms and why are they useful? Get the basics on these critical mathematical functions -- and discover why smart use of logarithms can determine whether your eyes turn red at the swimming pool this summer. Lesson by Steve Kelly, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•5 min
Is there a best sleep position? Dig into how sleeping on your side, back, or stomach can impact your body and health. -- Sleep positions go by countless creative names— the zombie, mountain climber, free faller, soldier, and more. Yet sleep experts typically simplify them into the basic types: side, stomach, or back. Individual sleep styles are highly personal, but how we spend the night affects our bodies and health in several ways. So, what’s the best position to sleep in? Rachel Marie E. Sala...
May 17, 2026•8 min
Deep brain stimulation is becoming very precise. This technique allows surgeons to place electrodes in almost any area of the brain, and turn them up or down -- like a radio dial or thermostat -- to correct dysfunction. Andres Lozano offers a dramatic look at emerging techniques, in which a woman with Parkinson's instantly stops shaking and brain areas eroded by Alzheimer's are brought back to life. (Filmed at TEDxCaltech.) Talk by Andres Lozano. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
May 17, 2026•20 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-history-of-keeping-time Where did time-telling come from? What are time zones and why are there so many of them? Get the answers to these questions and more in this journey through the history of time -- from sundials to hourglasses to modern clocks. Lesson by Karen Mensing, animation by Avi Ofer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•6 min
Explore what we know about seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and find out the best way to treat these behavioral changes. -- As winter approaches, shorter days spark a cascade of changes within the brains of animals. As a result, groundhogs retreat to their burrows for hibernation, weasels’ coats turn from brown to white, and birds cease their singing. And scientists are finding that seasonal behavioral changes similarly happen for some humans. Kelly Rohan digs into what we know about seasonal ...
May 17, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/victor-wooten-music-as-a-language Music is a powerful communication tool--it causes us to laugh, cry, think and question. Bassist and five-time Grammy winner, Victor Wooten, asks us to approach music the same way we learn verbal language--by embracing mistakes and playing as often as possible. Lesson by Victor Wooten, produced by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•7 min
Alexander the Great transformed the world during his reign — but was he an embattled leader, or a ruthless conqueror? -- Alexander the Great fundamentally transformed the world during his 13-year reign. He conquered Persia when it was one of the world’s largest empires, and he was considered a living demi-god by Egyptians and Greeks. But was he a brilliant, embattled leader, or a ruthless, power-hungry conqueror? Stephanie Honchell Smith puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Ale...
May 17, 2026•9 min
Get to know the myth of the weaver and the cowherd, a pair of star-crossed lovers banished to opposite sides of the Milky Way. -- In the court of the Jade Emperor, a young princess had a special skill: she could pluck clouds from the sky and spin them into the softest robes. But her craft was the same day after day, and she longed for new inspiration. So the Queen Mother granted her permission to visit Earth. The weaver soon fell in love with the land— and a cowherd. Shannon Zhao details the myt...
May 17, 2026•8 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-nerves-work At any moment, there is an electrical storm coursing through your body. Discover how chemical reactions create an electric current that drives our responses to everything from hot pans to a mother's caress. Lesson by Elliot Krane, animation by TED-Ed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•7 min
Professional musicians share how they chose their instruments, and what you should consider when choosing what to play. -- "Think Like A Musician" connects you with working musicians who want to help the music-curious and music-passionate hone and share the gift of music with the world. Part interview, part animated course, our first season "Think Like A Performer" features artists sharing their insight on the ins and outs of fine-tuning your instrument and crafting a great performance. Each epi...
May 17, 2026•10 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-big-is-infinity Using the fundamentals of set theory, explore the mind-bending concept of the "infinity of infinities" -- and how it led mathematicians to conclude that math itself contains unanswerable questions. Lesson by Dennis Wildfogel, animation by Augenblick Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•10 min
Dig into Edo, Japan’s circular economy, and how it helped transform the city into a thriving ecological and cultural center. -- 400 years ago, Edo was on the verge of ecological collapse. Years of intense logging had led to massive deforestation and the city faced timber shortages, severe erosion, and frequent flooding. But over just a few decades, Edo became one of the most sustainable and efficient cities in history. So, how did this come about? Roman Krznaric explores Edo's transformation int...
May 17, 2026•9 min
The feeling of security and the reality of security don't always match, says computer-security expert Bruce Schneier. In his talk, he explains why we spend billions addressing news story risks, like the "security theater" now playing at your local airport, while neglecting more probable risks -- and how we can break this pattern. (Filmed at TEDxPSU.) Talk by Bruce Schneier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•28 min
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-two-decisions-led-me-to-olympic-glory From setback and injury to an Olympic gold medal -- see how confidently making decisions led one bobsledder down an unexpected pathway to victory. Lesson by Steve Mesler, animation by Augenblick Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 17, 2026•6 min
