TED Blog
Posts Tagged ‘playlist’
16 October 2010
Benoit Mandelbrot and his legacy
Benoit Mandelbrot has died, at 85. We’re honored to have had him speak at the first TED, in 1984, and at the most recent TED in Long Beach, where he talked about his life’s work: studying fractals and roughness, and helping the world understand how fractal math underpins both nature and art. Mandelbrot was, as TED’s curator, Chris Anderson, wrote this morning, “an icon who changed how we see the world.” This playlist celebrates his work in his own words and through those whose work was inspired by his insights.
First: watch Mandelbrot’s TEDTalk from 2010:
In a fascinating talk at TEDGlobal in 2007, mathematician Ron Eglash shows how, in cultures across the African continent, fractals are a recurring shared technology in architecture, design and culture.
At TED2009, Margaret Wertheim takes us in a deep dive into the hyperbolic geometry of coral creation — via crochet.
Also of interest, from the TED Blog: Our Q&A with TED Fellow Sean Gourley, whose work hints at a fractal pattern in global war.
If Arthur Benjamin had his way, we’d teach kids about fractals early on in school: “Why not give them a taste of beautiful mathematics in addition to the useful stuff?”
And our commenters help each other track down “Mandelbrot broccoli” …
13 August 2010
The whole wide world: Today’s TEDTalks playlist of fan favorites
(It’s the last day of TED’s annual two-week break; we’ve been posting playlists from the TEDTalks archive.)
TED fans have spoken! Over the past two weeks, each new TEDTalks playlist has sparked debate, discussion and recommendations among our Facebook fans and via email. Our final playlist is a collection of fan-favorite TEDTalks about the wider world, society, curiosity, humanity …
J.J. Abrams, creator of Lost, talks about his “mystery box” — the symbol for all the unanswered questions that drive us forward:
Barry Schwartz talks about freedom of choice — and whether having more choice makes us more free:
William Kamkwamba tells a simple, inspiring story of creation: “How I harnessed the wind.”
Isabel Allende tells the stories of passionate, activist women changing the world:
And Chris Abani, in a powerful talk, muses on humanity and “ubuntu”: the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me.
Watch these other fan favorites:
Jamie Oliver’s TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food
Sir Ken Robinson says, “Bring on the learning revolution!”
We’d love to hear more fan favorites. Add your suggestions to the comments below, join the conversation on Facebook, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: FAN. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting August 16.
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
12 August 2010
Pages from my book: Today’s TEDTalks playlist of fan favorites
(TED’s in the final two days of its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’ve been posting playlists from the TEDTalks archive.)
Let it be heard: TED fans have spoken! Over the past two weeks, each new TEDTalks playlist posted here has sparked debate, discussion and recommendations among our Facebook fans and via email. Our final two playlists are collections of fan favorites, curated into two themes: “Pages from My Book,” collecting personal stories, and “The Wider World,” about technology, society, our planet.
Today’s playlist shares stories of hardship, loss, confusion, discovery and success. First, Steve Jobs gives some critical advice to aspiring leaders everywhere: Stay hungry, stay foolish.
Elizabeth Gilbert explores the creative process … and introduces her daemon:
Julia Sweeney tries to wrap her mind around a great big question mark: religion:
Aimee Mullins redefines the word “disabled” — and shows how adversity can open the door for human potential:
For more, watch these other fan favorites:
John Wooden on true success
Tony Robbins asks why we do what we do
Jill Bolte Taylor’s stroke of insight
We’d love to hear more fan favorites. Add your suggestions to the comments below, join the conversation on Facebook, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: FAN. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting August 16.
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
11 August 2010
Unconventional art: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
(TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive.)
Today’s playlist exhibits art that transcends the museum wall. These speakers, all artists or creators, talk about their unusual means to remarkable ends. Jonathan Harris creates digital artscapes out of Eskimo feasts, balloon wishes and the Internet’s feelings:
Robert Lang revolutionizes a centuries-old paper pastime through simple (or maybe not-so-simple) mathematics.:
Vik Muniz finds art supplies in unlikely places — dirt, chocolate, diamonds, clouds …
Miru Kim explores massive abandoned underground places — and then photographs herself in them, nude, to bring these dark spaces into sharp focus
What are your favorite stories about art in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: ART. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting August 16.
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
10 August 2010
Living online: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
(TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive.)
Chances are, you live a plugged-in life. We connect with Facebook, share through Twitter, watch on YouTube, learn from Google. Today’s playlist explores what it means to live online. We start with a blogging visionary — SixApart’s Mena Trott, the founding mother of the blog revolution. She talks about finding community, relationships and a healthy dose of narcissism in the blogosphere:
Clay Shirky encourages the world to spend its trillion-plus hours of free time making cool things online:
Evan Williams shows how 140 characters can give voice to natural disasters and thirsty plants — and maybe change the world.
Kevin Kelly marvels at what the web has become in only 5,000 days. What should we expect from the next phase of its life … and how will we keep up?
What are your favorite stories about our online lives in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: ONLINE. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting August 16.
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
09 August 2010
Risk and reward: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive.
Today’s playlist weighs the risks and rewards of adventure. What would it take for you to bury yourself alive or ski through the Arctic — and what would you say when the world asks, “Why?” Ben Saunders is a modern-day Arctic explorer — skiing solo across the ice to the North Pole to raise awareness of climate change. He answers 3 frequently asked questions:
Forget what you think you know about David Blaine — and watch this passionate, disarming talk from TEDMED about his quest to hold his breath for 17 minutes.
Roz Savage was looking to change her life. She found a challenge and a cause inside a tiny rowboat:
During the worst disaster in the history of Mount Everest climbs, Ken Kamler was the only doctor on the mountain …
What are your favorite stories about adventure in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: ADVENTURE. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
Find more TEDTalks about adventure in our Theme To Boldly Go.
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting on August 16!
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
06 August 2010
Playthings: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive.
Today’s playlist is about toys that inspire learning, innovation — and of course fun! These are the toys of the technological age: they are alive, they think, they perform magic. What were your favorite toys as a kid (or an adult), and what did they inspire in you? See how David Merrill replaces traditional building blocks with electronic tiles that can add, subtract, compose and create.
David Perry describes a new age of video games: games that “think big” and blend the virtual and the real through emotion and complexity.
Pranav Mistry and Pattie Maes announce a big-kid toy, SixthSense. It can help you buy toilet paper, take and share photographs and tell time … and more:
Caleb Chung designs toys that require lots of TLC, including the infamous Furby and the revolutionary Pleo.
What are your favorite stories about toys and play in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: PLAY. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting on August 16!
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
05 August 2010
Body art: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive.
Today’s playlist is about the human body, with speakers who give new meaning to our inner workings. What do enzymes and chromosomes have to do with art, and how can a stroke project beauty? Watch Pilobolus stretch (literally) the possibilities of the human body in a dynamic depiction of biological relationships.
David Bolinsky explores the future of scientific education with his stunning visual representations of the truth and beauty of a cell.
Paul Rothemund manipulates DNA with the zeal of a child. Did you ever imagine your DNA could look like a snowflake?
Jill Bolte Taylor’s massive stroke helps her see within and beyond her own body and brain.
What are your favorite stories about our bodies in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: BODY ART. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting on August 16!
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
04 August 2010
Childish thinking: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
TED’s on its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’re posting new playlists from the TEDTalks archive.
Today’s playlist is about kids and their brains, which hold the dreams and possibilities of our future. How can we teach them … and how can we learn from them? Adora Svitak makes the case that grownups have lots to learn from “childish” thinking — creativity, audacity, open-mindedness …
Who are the leaders of tomorrow? Joachim de Posada shows how to find them — with a marshmallow.
Photographer Rick Smolan tells the unforgettable story of a young girl and a fateful photograph, in an adoption saga with a twist.
Dave Eggers thinks like a child to create a massively popular after-school tutoring club — starring pirates, superheroes, time travel …
What are your favorite stories about kids in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: KIDS. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting on August 16!
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
03 August 2010
Living, breathing architecture: Today’s TEDTalks playlist
TED is taking its annual two-week vacation; during the break, we’ll post some of our favorite talks from the TEDTalks archive, arranged into playlists.
Today’s playlist is about way-new architecture — using organic forms and living, growing materials to bring fresh life into the buildings, homes and infrastructure we occupy. Magnus Larsson, for instance, has a bold plan to build in the Sahara desert sands using living bacteria:
Bjarke Ingels’ buildings not only look like nature — they act like nature: blocking the wind, collecting solar energy …
In 2002, IDEO’s David Kelley asked designers to focus on the human experience of design — rather than on simply making the next shiny gadget:
Rachel Armstrong gives a first glimpse at new, living building materials — barely understood now — that could one day allow buildings to grow organically:
More talks like this:
David Macauley’s Rome Antics — a bird’s-eye view of a city that has grown organically over thousands of years
Ron Eglash on African fractals — learn more about the precisely fractal forms of African buildings and villages
Ellen Dunham-Jones: Retrofitting suburbia — finding the living heart of once-sterile suburban spaces
You tell us: What are your favorite architecture stories in the TEDTalks archive? Add your suggestions for this playlist to the comments below, or email contact@ted.com with the subject PLAYLIST: ARCHITECTURE. (Jog your memory with the TEDTalks spreadsheet.)
And look for fresh TEDTalks starting on August 16!
Curator of this playlist: Rachel Tobias
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