TED Courses

What the People of the Amazon Know That You Don't

Ethnobotanist explores Amazon tribes' medicinal knowledge, highlighting endangered wisdom and urging protection of indigenous cultures and their invaluable plant-based healing practices.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Why My Family Started the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - The Rest Is History

Nancy Frates shares the inspiring story behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, detailing how her family turned her son's ALS diagnosis into a global movement for awareness and research funding.

• YouTube
• 19 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Why We Need to End the War on Drugs

Impassioned plea for ending the War on Drugs, advocating for intelligent regulation instead. Nadelmann presents compelling reasons to shift drug policy towards a more effective and humane approach.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

What the Social Progress Index Can Reveal About Your Country

Explore the Social Progress Index as an alternative to GDP for measuring societal well-being. Learn how this tool evaluates nations across three key dimensions for a more comprehensive view of progress.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

My Architectural Philosophy - Bring the Community into the Process

Architect Aravena shares innovative housing solutions inspired by favelas, emphasizing community involvement and flexible designs that allow families to expand their homes, showcasing the power of simple yet impactful ideas.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

It's Our City - Let's Fix It

Urban activist Alessandra Orofino discusses how to engage citizens in local politics using technology and human connection, empowering them to shape their cities' futures through active participation and decision-making.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

What New Power Looks Like

Explore how distributed, crowd-sourced models are reshaping business and politics. Discover the potential of "new power" to transform traditional power structures and its implications for the future.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Yes, I Survived Cancer - But That Doesn't Define Me

Chaplain Debra Jarvis shares insights on reclaiming personal identity beyond the "cancer survivor" label, encouraging growth and self-definition after challenging life experiences.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Let's Help Refugees Thrive, Not Just Survive

Powerful TED Talk exploring the refugee crisis, sharing personal stories, and inspiring action to help refugees rebuild their lives and thrive in their new communities.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

The Hidden Force in Global Economics - Sending Money Home

Economist explores impact of remittances on global economics, highlighting their significance for families and economies while addressing obstacles hindering their potential as a powerful force for development.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

A Neural Portrait of the Human Mind

Explore brain imaging insights with fMRI pioneer Nancy Kanwisher, uncovering specialized components and general-purpose machinery in the human brain, while highlighting the vast potential for future discoveries.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Where to Train the World's Doctors? Cuba

Discover how Havana's Latin American Medical School trains global physicians to serve underserved communities, addressing healthcare disparities through innovative education and social responsibility.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

The State of the Climate - and What We Might Do About It

Economist Lord Nicholas Stern discusses the global climate crisis, emphasizing international cooperation and the potential for positive change beyond disaster prevention at the UN Climate Summit.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

Why a Good Book Is a Secret Door

Award-winning author explores the surreal nature of children's literature, discussing how books can transcend reality and spark wonder, with insights from his interactions with young readers.

• YouTube
• 17 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk

What's the Next Window into Our Universe?

Explore how Big Data is revolutionizing astronomy, from massive telescope projects to capturing the universe's ever-changing moods, in this informative talk by astronomer Andrew Connolly.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Conference Talk