14 December 2008

Can science help solve the economic crisis?

The latest edition of Edge.org is a fascinating discussion on the role scientists might play in difficult financial times. The issue features a few TED speakers, including George Dyson and Michael Shermer. Try this snippet:

In all of this work economists, accountants and financial mathematicians should join forces with complexity theorists and other scientists with the goal of remaking economic theory and modeling so that it can offer reliable guidance for the organization and regulation of stable financial markets. The research has to be carried out in an interdisciplinary and open spirit.

Also note the blurb on John Markoff, who'll now be contributing to the science section of the New York Times.

Posted by Matthew Trost | Permalink

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01 November 2008

Where's the gorilla?

Several people wrote to TED this week asking about a clip that's been making the rounds recently -- starring a gorilla and a bunch of kids tossing a basketball. If you got this clip from a friend, and you're wondering why you can't find it on TED, here's the story:

The gorilla/basketball clip was shown during Michael Shermer's onstage talk at TED in 2006, but we don't have the rights to share this clip online. And Michael Shermer's TEDTalk is wonderful even without the gorilla -- full of mind-bending and eye-opening examples of how easily we fool ourselves, and why we believe such strange things.

You can buy a DVD containing the gorilla/basketball video and 19 more visual awareness demonstrations from Viscog Productions. Look for the DVD called Surprising Studies of Visual Awareness, Vol. 1. This year, Viscog released Surprising Studies, Vol. 2, with more "striking demonstrations that can induce failures of awareness." (Educators, see if you qualify for the School Teacher License discount.)

Or you can watch Tom Rielly's satire of the 2006 TED Conference, and see his version (it's in the fourth chapter, "Where's the Gorilla?"). It's a less striking demonstration, perhaps, but there's no doubt it's a strange thing.

Posted by Emily McManus | Permalink

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02 January 2008

Edge question 2008: What have you changed your mind about? Why?

Many TEDTalks speakers have answered the 2008 Edge Foundation question: What have you changed your mind about? Why?

Among the more than 160 essays from leading thinkers -- scientists, philosophers, artists -- look for Wired's Chris Anderson, Nick Bostrom, Stewart Brand, Richard Dawkins, Aubrey de Grey, Juan Enriquez, Helen Fisher, Neil Gershenfeld, Daniel Gilbert, Daniel Goleman, Kevin Kelly, Steven Pinker, Carolyn Porco, Martin Rees, Michael Shermer and Craig Venter. Block out some time to sample these -- it's an addictive read.

Posted by TED Staff | Permalink

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