Sometimes it’s good to give up the driver’s seat - Baba Shiv
Over the years, research has shown a counterintuitive fact about human nature: That sometimes, having too much choice makes us less happy. This may even be true when it comes to medical treatment. Baba Shiv shares a fascinating study that measures why choice opens the door to doubt, and suggests that ceding control — especially on life-or-death decisions — may be the best thing for us. (Filmed at TEDxStanford.)
via TED Education.
Mysteries of vernacular: Tuxedo - Jessica Oreck
How did tuxedo’s roots extend from Native American history to black tie evening wear? Jessica Oreck reveals what the Delaware Indians and formal fashion have in common.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-tuxedo-jessica-oreck
Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck.
via TED Education.
How do you know whom to trust? - Ram Neta
We believe a lot of things because we’ve been told - from our personal acquaintances and also experts. With so many belief systems being passed to us, how do we know whom to trust? Using contemporary examples, Ram Neta explains when listening to experts is a good idea…and when it’s not.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-you-know-whom-to-trust-ram-neta
via TED Education.
The dance of the dung beetle - Marcus Byrne
A dung beetle has a brain the size of a grain of rice, and yet shows a tremendous amount of intelligence when it comes to rolling its food source — animal excrement — home. How? It all comes down to a dance. (Filmed at TEDxWitsUniversity.)
via TED Education.
A host of heroes - April Gudenrath
What can some of literature’s most famous heroes teach us? From the epic hero (like Beowulf) to the tragic hero (like Oedipus), each has something distinctive to share. April Gudenrath describes the many faces of the fictional hero — and shows how they can inspire everyday people.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-host-of-heroes-april-gudenrath
via TED Education.
Pool medical patents, save lives - Ellen ‘t Hoen
Patenting a new drug helps finance its immense cost to develop — but that same patent can put advanced treatments out of reach for sick people in developing nations, at deadly cost. Ellen ‘t Hoen talks about an elegant, working solution to the problem: the Medicines Patent Pool. (Filmed at TEDxZurich.)
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/pool-medical-patents-save-lives-ellen-t-hoen
via TED Education.
A 40-year plan for energy - Amory Lovins
In this intimate talk filmed at TED’s offices, energy innovator Amory Lovins shows how to get the US off oil and coal by 2050, $5 trillion cheaper, with no Act of Congress, led by business for profit. The key is integrating all four energy-using sectors—and four kinds of innovation.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-40-year-plan-for-energy-amory-lovins
Talk by Amory Lovins.
via TED Education.
Trickle down science denial, from evolution to climate change
Science education is under assault again. Not just evolution education, but climate change education. NCSE policy director Dr. Minda Berbeco traces the history of science denial, the links between evolution- and climate change deniers, recent legislation targeting both, the role of the Next Generation Science Standards, and more. Where: East Bay Atheists, Berkeley, CA. When: 4/21/2013
Duration: 01:04:23
via NCSE.
The optimism bias - Tali Sharot
Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side — and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.
via TED Education.
The search for other Earth-like planets - Olivier Guyon
Billions of stars. Billions of galaxies. A thousand years just to count all of the stars in our galaxy and then another thousand to count the galaxies in the universe. At TEDYouth 2012, Olivier Guyon examines the possibility of finding other planets within these astronomical numbers, some potentially rife with life.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-search-for-other-planets-olivier-guyon
Talk by Olivier Guyon.
via TED Education.
Questions of Doom: G.E.D. Archaeology / Anthropology?
Welcome to Questions of Doom. In this series, we answer your questions about Archaeology and our shared heritage.
Today, we ask: ‘Is there an easy route through an archaeology degree?’
via Archaeos0up.
Tracking the trackers - Gary Kovacs
As you surf the Web, information is being collected about you. Web tracking is not 100% evil — personal data can make your browsing more efficient; cookies can help your favorite websites stay in business. But, says Gary Kovacs, it’s your right to know what data is being collected about you and how it affects your online life. He unveils a Firefox add-on to do just that.
via TED Education.
Let’s teach kids to code - Mitch Resnick
Coding isn’t just for computer whizzes, says Mitch Resnick of MIT Media Lab — it’s for everyone. In a fun, demo-filled talk Resnick outlines the benefits of teaching kids to code, so they can do more than just “read” new technologies — but also create them. (Filmed at TEDxBeaconStreet.)
Talk by Mitch Resnick.
via TED Education.
Robots Help Autistic Kids Learn, Communicate
A new robot is designed to help children with learning delays— like those on the autism spectrum— improve their social and communication skills.
Source: Univ. of Connecticut
Read more: http://www.laboratoryequipment.com/videos/2013/04/robots-help-autistic-kids-learn-communicate
via Lab Equipment.
Feats of memory anyone can do - Joshua Foer
There are people who can quickly memorize lists of thousands of numbers, the order of all the cards in a deck (or ten!), and much more. Science writer Joshua Foer describes the technique — called the memory palace — and shows off its most remarkable feature: anyone can learn how to use it, including him.
via TED Education.
