Why are babies cute? Why is cake sweet? Philosopher Dan Dennett has answers you wouldn’t expect, as he shares evolution’s counterintuitive reasoning on cute, sweet and sexy things (plus a new theory from Matthew Hurley on why jokes are funny). (Recorded at TED U 2009, February 2009, in Long Beach, California. Duration: 07:45.) Watch Dan […]
20 years ago, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. For his next project, he’s building a web for open, linked data that could do for numbers what the Web did for words, pictures, video: Unlock our data and reframe the way we use it together. (Recorded at TED2009, February 2009 in Long Beach, California. […]
A pioneer in research on play, Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults — and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age. (Recorded at Serious Play in May 2008, in Pasadena, California. Duration: 26:42.) Watch […]
For those keeping score, Aimee Mullins’ funny and astonishing TEDTalk this morning marks our 400th TEDTalk. I asked followers of the TEDtalks Twitter stream to name some sleeper hits from the archives — talks they didn’t think they would like but did. Here are a few replies — which may send you looking for your […]
Athlete, actor and activist Aimee Mullins talks about her prosthetic legs — she’s got a dozen amazing pairs — and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height … Disabled? No, the opposite. She redefines what the human body will become. (Recorded at TED U, February 2009 in Long Beach, […]
This demo, from Pattie Maes‘ lab at MIT (and spearheaded by her student Pranav Mistry), was the buzz of TED2009. Sixth Sense is a wearable device with a projection screen that paves the way for profound, data-rich interaction with our environment. Imagine Minority Report and then some. (Recorded in February 2009 in Long Beach, California. […]
In this talk from TED2003, design critic Don Norman turns his incisive eye toward beauty, fun, pleasure and emotion, as he looks at design that makes people happy. He names the three emotional cues that a well-designed product must hit to succeed. (Recorded in February 2003 in Monterey, California. Duration: 12:41.) Watch Don Norman’s talk […]
Via boingboing: James Duncan Davidson was one of our shooters at TED2009 (along with Asa Mathat — an amazing team). As a photographer and conferencegoer, Duncan has watched a lifetime’s worth of speakers, the good and the bad, the pro and the amateur, the calm and the completely freaked out. His takeaway: “There are things […]
Eric Lewis, an astonishingly talented crossover jazz pianist — seen by many for the first time at TED2009 — sets fire to the keys with his shattering rendition of Evanescence‘s chart-topper “Going Under.” (Recorded in February 2009 in Long Beach, California. Duration: 10:36.) Watch Eric Lewis’ performance from TED2009 on TED.com, where you can download […]
Michael Montes is the composer who created the TEDTalks opening themes (now available as ringtones). We’re curious about what it’s like to have one’s music being experienced through a phone. Who or what inspired you in creating the TEDTalks theme? TED itself inspired me greatly. I tried to put the feelings that I retained from being […]
From EG’08: Mike Rowe, the host of Dirty Jobs, tells some compelling (and horrifying) real-life job stories. Listen for his insights and observations about the nature of hard work, and how it’s been unjustifiably degraded in society today. (Recorded in December 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 20:03.) Watch Mike Rowe’s talk from EG’08 on TED.com, […]
That catchy music that introduces every TEDTalk is now available as free ringtones! Both the current “TEDTalks Phase II” theme and the familiar “TEDTalks Classic” jingle are available. (And, very soon, we may add a few priceless TEDTalks clips that passersby are bound to find interesting as they emanate from a purse or pocket. Tell […]
A unique ecosystem of plants, birds and monkeys thrives in the treetops of the rainforest. Nalini Nadkarni explores these canopy worlds — and shares her findings with the world below, through dance, art and bold partnerships. (Recorded in February 2009 in Long Beach, California. Duration: 16:30.) Watch Nalini Nadkarni’s talk from TED2009 on TED.com, where […]
By piecing together a complex ecological puzzle, biologist Willie Smits has found a way to re-grow clearcut rainforest in Borneo, saving local orangutans — and creating a thrilling blueprint for restoring fragile ecosystems. This bold plan drew a standing ovation at TED2009. (Recorded in February 2009 in Long Beach, California. Duration: 20:42.) Get involved with […]
A TED archive gem. At TED in 1998, game designer Brenda Laurel asked: Why are all the top-selling videogames aimed at little boys? She talked about her two-plus years of research to create a game that girls would play and love. It’s pioneering work that still resonates today, a decade later. (Recorded February 1998 in […]
Twitter has won a small army of lifecasting converts, with its bite-sized notes and instant-gratification communication. Co-founder Evan Williams reveals some startling things he’s learned from Twitter users, and the way they’ve driven his business forward. (Recorded in February 2009 in Long Beach, California. Duration: 08:00.) Watch Evan Williams’s talk from TED2009 on TED.com, where […]