TEDBlog January, 2009 Archive
13 January 2009
Understanding comics: Scott McCloud on TED.com
In this unmissable look at the magic of comics, Scott McCloud bends the presentation format into a cartoon-like experience, where colorful diversions whiz through childhood fascinations and imagined futures that our eyes can hear and touch. Listen for a moving meditation on the nature of vision — and for four indelible rules of life. (Recorded February 2005 in Monterey, California. Duration: 17:08.)
Watch Scott McCloud’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 350+ TEDTalks — including more talks about storytelling.
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12 January 2009
Mark Bittman and Isaac Mizrahi on braised artichokes
This odd couple banters their way through a lesson on braising artichokes as part of Isaac Mizrahi’s (watch his 2008 TEDTalk) series of webisodes.
The dish itself? Artichokes braised with pancetta in lemon juice and white wine — elegant yet simple, and in line with Bittman’s charge to eat more vegetables.
These two don’t let their differences keep them apart, but find comfort in their common ground: a love of food (and Jewish mothers). — Shanna Carpenter
12 January 2009
Ways of seeing: Rob Forbes on TED.com
Rob Forbes, the founder of Design Within Reach, shows a gallery of snapshots that inform his way of seeing the world. Charming juxtapositions, found art, urban patterns — this slideshow will open your eyes to the world around you. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, California. Duration: 15:37.)
Watch Rob Forbes’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 350+ TEDTalks — including more talks about photography.
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11 January 2009
Peter Ward on Earth's appetite for destruction
Peter Ward spoke at TED2008 about Earth’s mass extinctions (watch for his TEDTalk later this month). You probably know about one of these events, the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction 65 million years ago that ended the age of dinosaurs. In today’s Boston Globe, Ward talks with writer Drake Bennett about the other four extinctions — and about the way our planet seems to careen toward destruction over and over.
Ward’s Medea Hypothesis runs counter to the idea that our planet is a self-balancing system; he suggests that, when given the opportunity, any kind of life on Earth, from plants to bacteria to humanity, will run amok and tip the balance toward chaos. From the story:
In his view, the earth’s history makes clear that, left to run its course, life isn’t naturally nourishing — it’s poisonous. Rather than a supple system of checks and balances, he argues, the natural world is a doomsday device careening from one cataclysm to another. Long before humans came onto the scene, primitive life forms were busily trashing the planet, and on multiple occasions, Ward argues, they came close to rendering it lifeless.
For more details — and a lively conversation on the Globe site — read the story, Dark Green: A scientist argues that the natural world isn’t benevolent and sustaining: it’s bent on self-destruction >>
And contrast this with Jared Diamond’s 2005 TEDTalk on collapse — as one Globe commenter notes: “human beings … are destructive to the stability of the ecosystems in many cases.”
10 January 2009
Get to know Steven Pinker
In tomorrow’s New York Times Magazine, online today, there’s a very in-depth story about Steven Pinker — My Genome, My Self: Steven Pinker Gets to the Bottom of His Own Genetic Code. Pinker, along with nine other volunteers, had his genes sequenced last year as part of the Personal Genome Project. He learned many, many things about himself. But the process left him wondering more than ever: How did my genes help make me what I am?
Photo: Jeff Riedel for The New York Times
09 January 2009
Calculus and the new forms of architecture: Greg Lynn on TED.com
Greg Lynn talks about the mathematical roots of architecture — and how calculus and digital tools allow modern designers to move beyond the traditional building forms. A glorious church in Queens (and a titanium tea set) illustrate his theory. (Recorded February 2005 in Monterey, California. Duration: 18:55.)
Watch Greg Lynn’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 350+ TEDTalks — including more talks about architecture.
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08 January 2009
Sir Ken Robinson's new book, The Element
Sir Ken Robinson‘s new book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, is published today in the United States and on Feb. 12 everywhere. It’s the book he mentions in his TEDTalk …
He sends this message to the TED community:
“At TED 2006, I talked about creativity and education and the urgent need to make the best of all of our talents. I said I was writing a book about this called Epiphany. The book is published today – except it’s not called Epiphany. it’s called The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. The Element is where natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the Element, they feel most themselves and achieve at their highest levels. The Element draws on a wide range of personal stories, from Paul McCartney to Matt Groening; from Meg Ryan to writer Arianna Huffington to renowned physicist Richard Feynman and others, including business leaders and athletes. It looks at the critical conditions that enable us to find the Element in ourselves and in others, and the obstacles that get in the way. I believe passionately that understanding the processes of the Element is essential for transforming education, business and communities to meet the real challenges of the twenty-first century. I really hope you enjoy it — and find your own too.”
Find out more about The Element — including upcoming book signings >>
Order The Element on Amazon.com >>
Update: Read Sir Ken’s take on One Child Left Behind >>
Watch Sir Ken Robinson’s 2006 TEDTalk:
08 January 2009
Theremin-in-a-mug
Steep yourself in the delightful tones of this homebrew theremin, built with a mug of tea:
Theremug from Kyle McDonald on Vimeo.
The latest in TEDBlog’s chronicle of the evolution of untouchable music, it joins this cool Wii remote hack.
Thanks for the tip via Posterous, reflectionof.me
08 January 2009
Take a ride in the Skycar: Paul Moller on TED.com
Inventor Paul Moller talks about the future of personal air travel — the marriage of autos and flight that will give us true freedom to travel off-road. He shows two things he’s working on: the Moller Skycar (a jet + car) and a passenger-friendly hovering disc. (Recorded February 2004 in Monterey, California. Duration: 15:39.)
Watch Paul Moller’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 350+ TEDTalks — including more talks about invention.
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07 January 2009
What can fossils teach us? Paul Sereno on TED.com
Strange landscapes, scorching heat and (sometimes) mad crocodiles await scientists seeking clues to evolution’s genius. Paleontologist Paul Sereno talks about his surprising encounters with prehistory — and a new way to help students join the adventure. (Recorded February 2005 in Monterey, California. Duration: 21:46.)
Watch Paul Sereno’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 350+ TEDTalks — including more talks about evolution.
Learn more about Project Exploration >>
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