five Ted.com talks you should watch this week
In my bumpy journey to find what makes life better, I’ve found this works: watching Ted.com every now and then. I subscribe to their newsletter and save the ones I like. There is so much cheap opining out there; to watch people who actually know their shit humbly share their findings, is refreshing. I mention the site in my Sunday Life column this week and have had stacks of people ask me about it. I thought it best to explain the gist with a little list of some of my favourites.
1. Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened — as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding — she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.
2. Psychology professor Dan Gilbert, author of “Stumbling on Happiness”, explains just how badly human beings predict the things that will make us happy.
3. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” discusses creative genius and the source of inspiration.
4. Michael Pollan, author of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” asks listeners to see the world from a plant’s eye view and asks, what if human consciousness were not the goal and highest point of evolution?
5. Malcom Gladwell, author of “The Tipping Point” and “Blink,” searches in his 2006 talk for the counter-intuitive in everyday objects such as cookies, sneakers, and pasta sauce.
Last week TED.com announced they were starting a women’s version of TED. Why?! As it stands, only 20% of talks are by women. Which is crazy. Couldn’t they just up the quota? In the US, more than 50% of uni tenures go to women… there really is no reason for such low representation, nor for special treatment. Salon posted a very interesting take on TEDwomen. Worth reading, just to see how this kind of thing can be swung around and seen as a positive.
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Thanks for posting these! Have just spent an entire afternoon watching them and many more on the TV thanks to my new apple tv box. I no longer need to watch free to air. I particularly loved Jill Bolte Taylor.
It is great to have my attention brought to these, I have heard a few TED talks, but now I have reason to view many more. If only someone would present one of how to keep up, and make time for, with the wealth of info out there we all scramble to digest!
Thank you Sarah. Dan Gilbert’s presentation has helped give me the peace of mind I need tonight. Best wishes to you.
While the phrase “know his/ her shit” has street cred but it sounds too irrevent and dismissive. ABC has a show called Big Ideas (on right now). Its probably more political but very similar to TED.
I ADORE ted.com and their insightful speeches. Long ago, I watched Jill Bolte Taylor’s speech on what it was like to have a stroke to get a better understanding of what exactly happened to my father when he had one of his own. It is outstanding, and I recommend it as well.
I’ll definitely be checking out the rest. Thank you for the great list.
Brittany
Yes, saw the Big Ideas show…will check it out
I’m really glad…x
Oddly enough I just watched all 5 of these in the past 30 days! I love them… this is also one of my all-time favorites! http://blog.ted.com/2008/01/david_gallo.php
Oh I have seen the ill Bolte Taylor video quite a few times over the last year or so. It is so inspiring!
Love it Chris
I LOVE TED!!! You have even posted some of my favs here much to my surprise. I watch it every once in a while and become completely enthralled. It is informative and funny and inspiring and completely fascinating.