08 March 2009

4 great talks for International Women's Day

To celebrate March 8, International Women's Day, we suggest these four TEDTalks gems from some amazing speakers -- artists, scientists and economists who think deeply about the role of women.

Author and activist Isabel Allende discusses women, creativity, feminism -- and the power of passionate thinkers and doers:

The former Finance Minister of Nigeria, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, talks about one key opportunity to grow African economies -- by investing in women and the businesses they start:

(For more, watch Jacqueline Novogratz >>)

Scientist Nalini Nadkarni explores the world of the forest canopy -- and shares her findings with the world below, through dance, art and bold partnerships. She's working to inspire the next generation of women scientists:

The wonderful Nellie McKay sings "Mother of Pearl" (with the immortal first line "Feminists don't have a sense of humor") and "If I Had You" from her sparkling set at TED2008:

Find these four and many more astonishing women (including the legendary primatologist Jane Goodall, oceanographers Sylvia Earle and Tierney Thys, games theorist Brenda Laurel, Zipcar inventor Robin Chase ... ) on TED.com >>

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08 January 2009

Theremin-in-a-mug

Steep yourself in the delightful tones of this homebrew theremin, built with a mug of tea:

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

Posted by Matthew Trost | Permalink

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29 November 2008

Wii Remote theremin

In an ingenious geek-out that's almost too perfectly suited for TED, designer Ken Moore presents a much-anticipated hack of the Nintendo Wii Remote: a theremin.

It seems to be a nearly serendipitous merger of TEDTalks by thereminist Pamelia Kurstin and Wii hacker Johnny Lee. Has anyone seen other hybridized Ideas Worth Spreading (coincidental or not)? Leave us a comment.

(Via Boing Boing and a zillion others.)

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13 February 2008

Theremin, the untouchable music: Pamelia Kurstin on TED.com

While a few brave souls have sought to master the theremin since its "Good Vibrations" heyday, none have done so with more sly effervescence than Pamelia Kurstin. Far from being a quirky curiosity, though, Kurstin is a sensitive, emotional stylist capable of coaxing sublime melodic content out of an instrument usually doomed to B-movie sci-fi soundtracks. (And her walking bass imitation is pretty cool too.) (Recorded February 2002 in Monterey, California. Duration: 19:11.)

Watch Pamelia Kurstin's talk on TED.com, where you can download it, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances.

Read more about Pamelia Kurstin on TED.com.

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