In this TED archive video from 1998, paralympic sprinter Aimee Mullins talks about her record-setting career as a runner, and about the amazing carbon-fiber prosthetic legs (then a prototype) that helped her cross the finish line. (Recorded February 1998 in Monterey, California. Duration: 20:43.) Watch Aimee Mullins’ talk on TED.com, where you can download […]
Akoha is a card game whose players go on missions based on the cards in each hand — with missions such as “Thank someone” and “Invite someone for coffee,” it’s a great excuse to be a nice person and still be kind of competitive. Akoha’s new Inspired Minds Deck offers 9 different missions based on […]
Next Thursday night, Feb. 5, the 2009 TED Prize winners will make their audacious wishes to change the world. We’ve been working hard to make this session accessible to people around the world. So we’ll be presenting, for the first time ever, the TED Prize live in select theaters and cinemas across the US. In […]
Asteroid strikes get all the coverage, but “Medea Hypothesis” author Peter Ward argues that most of Earth’s mass extinctions were caused by lowly bacteria. The culprit, a poison called hydrogen sulfide, may have an interesting application in medicine. (Recorded February 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 19:42.) Watch Peter Ward’s talk on TED.com, where you […]
Ms Alex, a blogger from Leeds, UK, has set an ambitious program of 101 goals for the next 21 months. And Number 32 is: Watch every video on the TED site. In an update, Alex shares the master spreadsheet of talks watched so far, with opinions and ratings. Go, Ms Alex, go!
Woody Norris shows off an invention that shapes and focuses sound waves, and talks about his untraditional approach to inventing and education. As he puts it: “Almost nothing has been invented yet.” So — what’s next? (Recorded February 2004 in Monterey, California. Duration: 13:49.) Watch Woody Norris’s talk on TED.com, where you can download […]
Surgeon and writer Sherwin Nuland meditates on the idea of hope — the desire to become our better selves and make a better world. In a thoughtful 12 minutes, he explores the connection between “hope” and “change” — a fitting talk to end this week full of both. (Recorded February 2003 in Monterey, California. Duration: […]
Exciting news — 35 boxes of TED archive tapes just arrived in our New York office. We’ll be digitizing this footage, re-watching it, and turning it into TEDTalks. We’re thrilled to be able to bring you more talks from the legendary early days of TED. See more archive unboxing photos on flickr >>
What is genomics? How will it affect our lives? In this intriguing primer on the genomics revolution presented at Taste3 2008, entrepreneur Barry Schuler says we can at least expect healthier, tastier food. He suggests we start with the pinot noir grape, to build better wines. (Recorded June 2008 in Napa, California. Duration: 21:26.) […]
We all want to make the world better — but how? Jamais Cascio looks at some specific tools and techniques that can make a difference. It’s a fascinating talk that might just inspire you to act. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, California. Duration: 16:15.) Watch Jamais Cascio’s talk on TED.com, where you can download […]
TED.com and the TED Blog will be down tonight to add some updates. We anticipate an outage starting 10:30pm Eastern time and going for perhaps an hour. If you need your TED fix in the meantime, check out TED’s YouTube channel. See you soon!
Great design is a never-ending journey of discovery — and for this journey, it helps to pack a healthy sense of humor. Sociologist and surfer-turned-designer David Carson walks through a gorgeous, funny and wise review of his work and found images. It’s packed with quotable moments from Marshall McLuhan, William S. Burroughs and Carson. (Recorded […]
Speaking at Serious Play 2008, Paula Scher looks back at a life in design (she’s done album covers, books, the Citibank logo …) and pinpoints the moment when she started really having fun. Look for gorgeous designs and images from her legendary career. (Recorded May 2008 in Pasadena, California. Duration: 21:56.) Watch Paula Scher’s […]
Customers want to feel what they buy is authentic, but Mass Customization author Joseph Pine says selling authenticity is tough because, well, there’s no such thing. He talks about a few experiences that may be artificial but make millions anyway. (Recorded in February 2004, in Monterey, California. Duration: 14:19.) Watch Joseph Pine’s talk on […]
Batch to batch, crust to crust … In tribute to the beloved staple food, baking master Peter Reinhart reflects on the cordial couplings (wheat and yeast, starch and heat) that give us our daily bread. Try not to eat a slice. (Recorded at Taste3 in July 2008, in Napa, California. Duration: 15:35.) Watch Peter […]
In this unmissable look at the magic of comics, Scott McCloud bends the presentation format into a cartoon-like experience, where colorful diversions whiz through childhood fascinations and imagined futures that our eyes can hear and touch. Listen for a moving meditation on the nature of vision — and for four indelible rules of life. (Recorded […]