In Brief

Skybox gets Googled, David Binder wins a Tony, Steven Pinker on writing in the 21st century, and more

Posted by:
One of the many satellite images taken by Skybox. Photo: Courtesy of Dan Berkenstock

One of the many satellite images taken by Skybox. Photo: Courtesy of Dan Berkenstock

Several members of the TED community are popping in the news this week. Below, some highlights:

Dan Berkenstock’s Skybox Imaging, which uses small satellites to create close to real-time imagery of the planet, has been bought by Google. The internet giant’s website explains, “Skybox’s satellites will help keep our maps accurate with up-to-date imagery. Over time, we also hope that Skybox’s team and technology will be able to help improve Internet access and disaster relief — areas Google has long been interested in.” (Watch Dan’s TED Talk, “The world is one big dataset. Now, how to photograph it…”)

Amy Cuddy has shared with us how power posing can change the way you feel going into a job interview or big presentation. In this segment of WNYC’s New Tech City, a look at how it could also help you with “math anxiety.” (Watch Amy’s TED Talk, “Your body language shapes who you are.”)

Broadway producer David Binder won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical on Sunday for his reprise of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The play stars Neil Patrick Harris, who also took home Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Musical. (Watch David’s talk, “The arts festival revolution.”)

Speaking of theater (and people named David), David Byrne chats with Cyndi Lauper about his musical Here Lies Love, about Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines. (Watch his talk, “How architecture helped evolve music.”)

Jennifer Golbeck did a Reddit AMA last week titled, “I’m a computer scientist studying creepy things we can do with your online data – AMA.” In it, she answers questions like: “Has your work made you more paranoid about your own privacy?”(Watch Jennifer’s TED Talk, “The curly fry conundrum.”)

Steven Pinker talks writing in the 21st century with Edge.org. “Writing is inherently a topic in psychology. It’s a way that one mind can cause ideas to happen in another mind,” he says before giving advice on how to do that more effectively. (Watch an animated version of Steven’s talk with wife Rebecca Newberger Goldstein,”The long reach of reason.”)

And finally, TED itself got two shout-outs this week. First, a hilarious mention on The Daily Show. And second, PolicyMic gathered up six powerful TEDx talks that show the possibilities for life after prison.

Until next week…