Inspirational TED Talks
TED stands for Technology, Education and Design and if you’re not familiar with them, by now, you should know they are a series of speeches and presentations by the most brilliant minds, most fascinating people, education radicals, tech geniuses, medical mavericks, business gurus, and music legends of our time. Watch a few of these selected TED Talks, the more good stuff that goes into your mind, the more good stuff comes out.
Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids
A prolific short story writer and blogger since age seven, Adora Svitak (now 12) speaks around the United States to adults and children as an advocate for literacy. In this video, child prodigy Adora Svitak says the world needs “childish” thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids’ big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups’ willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.
Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.
Leslie Morgan Steiner: Why domestic violence victims don’t leave
Leslie Morgan did her Bachelor’s at Harvard and MBA at Wharton. She’s worked at top Fortune 500 companies. Now here’s where it gets personal. She is a writer and outspoken advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Why? Because she was a victim of domestic violence starting age 22.
Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders
Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and one of the very few women business leaders. Her talk is also precisely about that. She looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions — and offers 3 powerful pieces of advice to women aiming for the C-suite.
Matt Cutts: Try something new for 30 days
Is there something you’ve always meant to do, wanted to do, but just … haven’t? Matt Cutts suggests: Try it for 30 days. This short, lighthearted talk offers a neat way to think about setting and achieving goals.
Aimee Mullins: It’s not fair having 12 pairs of legs
Aimee Mullins was born without fibular bones, and had both of her legs amputated below the knee when she was an infant. She learned to walk on prosthetics, then to run — competing at the national and international level as a champion sprinter, and setting world records at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. At Georgetown, where she double-majored in history and diplomacy, she became the first double amputee to compete in NCAA Division 1 track and field. In this video, she talks about how attitude can help you pull off almost anything. Just like people collecting of designer shoes, she owns more than 12 pairs of designer legs. You’ll definitely be dumbstruck after you see this.
Elizabeth Gilbert: Your elusive creative genius
Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.
3 secrets to leading a truly awesome life – Neil Pasricha
In a world where we are flooded daily with news about national tragedies, global conflicts and economic problems, it’s important to be reminded about the simple joys in life, like wearing warm underwear from just out of the dryer, eating cookies like a Cookie Monster or getting in a line just before it gets really long. Neil Pasricha, author and blogger behind 1000awesomethings.com, gives an uplifting and inspirational presentation about overcoming hardships and appreciating the little things.
