TED Courses

Why City Flags May Be the Worst-Designed Thing You've Never Noticed

Discover the surprising world of vexillology as Roman Mars reveals the principles of flag design, applying them beyond civic symbols to everyday life in this entertaining and insightful talk.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

New Video Technology That Reveals an Object's Hidden Properties

Groundbreaking video technology detects subtle vibrations to recreate sound from seemingly still objects, enabling interactive exploration of hidden properties through simple video analysis.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Case for Engineering Our Food

Explore genetic engineering's role in enhancing food security through Pamela Ronald's research on flood-resistant rice and the successful preservation of Hawaiian papaya crops.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How We're Priming Some Kids for College and Others for Prison

Sociologist explores systemic inequalities in education and criminal justice, revealing how African-American and Latino youth are disproportionately guided towards incarceration instead of higher education.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Why We Laugh

Explore the science of laughter with cognitive neuroscientist Sophie Scott, uncovering surprising facts and insights into this universal human behavior in a fast-paced, entertaining presentation.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How Mars Might Hold the Secret to the Origin of Life

Explore the search for microbial life on Mars through Earth's extreme environments. Learn how studying microbes in Andean lakes could reveal clues about potential life on ancient Mars and its evolutionary pathways.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How to Make Peace? Get Angry

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi shares his journey of freeing 83,000 children from slavery, emphasizing the power of righteous anger in driving positive change and social justice.

• YouTube
• 19 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How to Land on a Comet

Discover the intricate calculations and fascinating journey behind landing a probe on a distant comet, featuring incredible photographs and insights from the Rosetta mission manager.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

A Tale of Two Americas and the Mini-Mart Where They Collided

Powerful talk exploring post-9/11 attack in Texas, examining paths of victim and attacker, and calling for reconciliation. Challenges perceptions of American identity and justice.

• YouTube
• 19 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

Vincent Cochetel - I Was Held Hostage for 317 Days - Here's What I Thought About

Powerful account of a UN worker's 317-day hostage experience, exploring survival, human nature, and the rising dangers faced by humanitarian aid workers globally.

• YouTube
• 20 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How to Manage for Collective Creativity

Discover tools and tactics for fostering creativity in the workplace. Learn how to unlock hidden potential and encourage innovative ideas from all team members, based on research from top creative companies.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How I Work to Protect Women from Honor Killings

Activist Khalida Brohi shares insights on campaigning against honor killings in Pakistan, discussing challenges faced and lessons learned in protecting women's rights and changing cultural mindsets.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How Our Microbes Make Us Who We Are

Explore the crucial role of microbes in human health and identity. Discover how these tiny organisms impact our well-being more significantly than our genes, offering new perspectives on personal and medical care.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

How to Practice Emotional First Aid

Discover the importance of emotional hygiene and learn practical strategies for managing psychological pain, promoting mental well-being, and seeking professional help when needed.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk

The Mathematics of Love

Discover mathematical patterns in love and learn three data-driven tips for finding your ideal partner in this engaging talk by mathematician Hannah Fry.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• On-Demand
• Conference Talk