TED Courses

The Surprising Science of Alpha Males

Primatologist Frans de Waal challenges common misconceptions about alpha males, revealing unexpected traits like generosity and empathy, while drawing parallels to human leadership and power dynamics.

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

How to Get Empowered, Not Overpowered, by AI

MIT physicist Max Tegmark explores AI's potential to revolutionize humanity, discussing real opportunities and threats, and outlining concrete steps to ensure AI benefits society.

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

How I Made Friends with Reality

Emily Levine's witty talk explores embracing reality and finding humor in life's challenges, including death. She shares personal insights on enriching life and accepting its finite nature with grace and wisdom.

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

Why Fascism Is So Tempting - and How Your Data Could Power It

Historian Yuval Noah Harari explores the dangers of data consolidation and its potential to empower dictatorships, warning about threats to liberal democracy in the age of information technology.

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

How to Build and Rebuild Trust

Discover the key elements of building, maintaining, and rebuilding trust in this insightful talk by Harvard professor Frances Frei, drawing from her experience at Uber to illustrate practical strategies for fostering trust.

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

Is the World Getting Better or Worse? A Look at the Numbers

Steven Pinker analyzes data on global issues, revealing progress in various areas over the past 30 years. He argues for viewing challenges as solvable problems and emphasizes continued knowledge application for human flourishing.

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

A Parkland Teacher's Homework for Us All

A Parkland teacher proposes three ways to address gun violence in America, inspired by student activists, and invites viewers to contribute their own solutions for a safer future.

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

Our Fight for Disability Rights - And Why We're Not Done Yet

Inspiring talk on disability rights activism, highlighting the historic Section 504 sit-in and emphasizing ongoing efforts for greater accessibility and inclusivity in society.

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

How to Tame Your Wandering Mind

Discover techniques to enhance attention and combat distractions with neuroscientist Amishi Jha. Learn to harness your mind's power for improved focus and cognitive performance in this insightful TED Talk.

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

Need a New Idea? Start at the Edge of What Is Known

Explore the mathematical concept of the "adjacent possible" and its role in innovation, creativity, and the birth of new ideas at the edge of human knowledge.

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

What if Gentrification Was About Healing Communities Instead of Displacing Them

Architect Liz Ogbu challenges the narrative of gentrification, proposing a focus on spatial justice and community preservation. She advocates for equitable development that empowers residents to stay and thrive in their neighborhoods.

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

What We Can Do About the Culture of Hate

Explore the roots of hate in society and ourselves, and discover strategies for recognizing, challenging, and healing from hatred to create a more compassionate world.

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

The Great Migration and the Power of a Single Decision

Isabel Wilkerson explores the Great Migration's impact on American history, highlighting how six million African Americans' choices to leave the Jim Crow South reshaped society and individual lives.

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

3 Myths About the Future of Work - And Why They're Not True

Daniel Susskind challenges common misconceptions about automation and job loss, proposing a shift in focus towards wealth distribution in a future with potentially less traditional work.

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

What a World Without Prisons Could Look Like

Explore restorative justice centers as alternatives to prisons, focusing on rehabilitation, reconciliation, and prevention. Learn about innovative spaces designed to address crime's root causes and foster community healing.

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