In a timely talk, cultural critic Virginia Postrel muses on the powerful uses of glamour — which she defines as any calculated, carefully polished image designed to impress and persuade. (Recorded February 2004 in Monterey, California. Duration: 16:15.) Watch Virginia Postrel’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on […]
At the EG conference, MOMA design curator Paola Antonelli talks about her groundbreaking show, “Design and the Elastic Mind” — full of products, concepts and designs that reflect the elastic, multi-tasking, quickly shifting way we think now. Though the physical show has closed, the online home of the exhibit is quite lively and packed with […]
Physicist and surfer Garrett Lisi presents a controversial new model of the universe that — just maybe — answers all the big questions. If nothing else, it’s the most beautiful 8-dimensional model of elementary particles and forces you’ve ever seen. (Recorded February 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 21:26.) Watch Garrett Lisi’s 2008 talk on […]
UPDATED: Starting this morning and going for two weeks, we’re updating all 300+ TEDTalks with freshly encoded video. What this means: + it’s the end of the over-loud intro music + our HD downloads will play in AppleTV HD + some downloadable files will be smaller + a few other glitches will be cleaned up […]
Human beatbox James “AudioPoet” Burchfield performs an intricate three-minute breakdown — sexy, propulsive hip-hop rhythms and turntable textures — all using only his voice. (Recorded February 2003 in Monterey, California. Duration: 04:43.) Watch James “AudioPoet” Burchfield’s 2003 performances on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other […]
In February, Jay Walker lent TED a wall of priceless and geeky artifacts to serve as the stage set for TED2008. In the TEDTalks from this conference, behind the speakers (and inspiring them), you can see Walker’s Sputnik and his Enigma machine, his Star Wars stormtrooper helmet and his Gutenberg bible, and rows of manuscripts […]
Just returned from a visit to the amazing TED@Palm Springs venue, where I’ll be playing host along with the famous Rives as my co-host and wingman. It is being held at the iconic Riviera resort, playground to the stars — including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Elvis, the King himself. Many of them […]
Outside.in’s Steven Johnson says the Web is like a city: built by many people, completely controlled by no one, intricately interconnected and yet functioning as many independent parts. While disaster strikes in one place, elsewhere, life goes on. (Recorded February 2003 in Monterey, California. Duration: 16:36.) Watch Steven Johnson’s 2003 talk on TED.com, where you […]
Looking at vast political trends through the lens of a single story, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about what we can learn from American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson. Listen for stories of decision, doubt and resolve, from people of great power and great character. To sum up, she shares a moving memory […]
Game designer David Perry says tomorrow’s videogames will be more than mere fun to the next generation of gamers. They’ll be lush, complex, emotional experiences — more involving and meaningful to some than real life. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, California. Duration: 21:06.) Watch David Perry’s 2006 talk on TED.com, where you can download […]
The Flickr set James Nachtwey Projections 2008 collects photos from last night’s worldwide photo event — projecting James Nachtwey’s powerful photos of XDR-TB in cities on all 7 continents. Nachtwey’s photos of the growing XDR-TB epidemic, a deadly new mutation of tuberculosis, are meant to raise awareness of this disease. Because awareness is precisely what […]
Photojournalist James Nachtwey sees his TED Prize wish come true, as we share his powerful photographs of XDR-TB, a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis that’s touching off a global medical crisis. Learn 3 quick ways to help at XDRTB.org. (Duration: 5:52.) See James Nachtwey’s powerful photographs on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate […]
In this engrossing talk from the EG conference, architect Liz Diller shares her firm DS+R’s more unusual work, including the Blur Building, whose walls are made of fog, and the revamped Alice Tully Hall, which is wrapped in glowing wooden skin. (Recorded December 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Duration: 19:24.) Watch Liz Diller’s 2007 […]
Lawyer and Islam scholar Noah Feldman makes a searing case that both politics and religion — whatever their differences — are similar technologies, designed to efficiently connect and manage any group of people. Listen for his discussion of these ideas “about which people disagree in the deepest possible sense” — and a prophetic look at […]
Rockstar designer Stefan Sagmeister delivers a short, witty talk on life lessons, expressed through surprising modes of design (including … giant inflatable monkeys?). (Recorded February 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 04:45.) Watch Stefan Sagmeister’s 2008 short talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks […]
In this prophetic talk from 2003, roboticist Rodney Brooks talks about how robots are going to work their way into our lives — starting with toys and moving into household chores … and beyond. (Recorded February 2003 in Monterey, California. Duration: 18:47.) Watch Rodney Brooks’ 2003 talk on TED.com, where you can download this […]