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In case you missed it: Some highlights of day 2 at TEDGlobal 2013: Think Again

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Photo: James Duncan Davidson

The second day of mainstage talks at TEDGlobal 2013 offered four densely packed sessions full of the possibility for natural, geopolitical, social and artistic change, both improvised and well-considered — and more than one magic moment. Here are just a few of the best.

Brain soup. Suzana Herculano-Houzel figured out how to count the number of neurons in a human brain by reducing several human donors’ brains to soup. She brought a sample of it on stage to start off a fascinating talk about what makes the human brain unique in the animal kingdom. Read more about Suzana Herculano-Houzel’s talk >>

Apollo Robbins’ shirt change. You have to watch yourself around Apollo Robbins. If you don’t, you’re likely to lose your shirt. The sleight-of-hand artist is adept at manipulating your attention while he takes your watch. He also managed to change his shirt without anyone in the audience knowing. We have no idea how he did that. Read more about Apollo Robbins’ talk >>>

Yaron Herman describes creation. When asked by Chris Andersen what it feels like to be able to compose music on the spot, Israeli pianist Yaron Herman said, “When things come together and the music you’re playing is coming through you somehow, it’s close to ecstasy.” Read more about Yaron Herman’s performance >>

Six hands on the oud. Three brothers, three ouds — the Near Eastern answer to the Western lute. What’s not to like? Le Trio Joubran first soothed and then stunned the TED audience with their spirit and virtuosity. Read more about Le Trio Joubran’s performance >>

Rats stepping out. Young neuroscientist Grégoire Courtine shared his painstaking development of what he calls “electrochemical neuroprosthesis” — a process to reactivate spinal cord cells after spinal cord injury. And his story of hope won him a standing ovation from the TED audience. Read more about Grégoire Courtine’s talk >>

The road to Rio. Look out South America, here comes TEDGlobal! Today, Bruno Giussani finally ended months of suspense when he announced that TEDGlobal 2014 will be taking place in Brazil, expanding TED’s international reach. The theme? South! — celebrating the outpouring of innovation, dynamism and creativity taking place all over South America and the global south. Learn more about TEDGlobal 2014: South! >>

The faces of TEDx. A video featuring the incredibly diverse voices and ideas behind our beloved TEDx community around the world. Enjoy!