TED Courses

Trial, Error and the God Complex

Discover how successful complex systems are built through trial and error, and learn to embrace randomness for better problem-solving in this thought-provoking talk by economics writer Tim Harford.

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

A Global Culture to Fight Extremism

Former Islamist extremist explores why extremist organizations succeed and proposes grassroots stories and global social activism to spread democracy in the face of nationalism and xenophobia.

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

Meet e-Patient Dave

Dave deBronkart shares his inspiring journey of overcoming terminal cancer through online patient communities, advocating for patient empowerment and collaborative healthcare to improve medical outcomes.

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

Computing a Rosetta Stone for the Indus Script

Discover how modern computational techniques are being used to decipher the 4000-year-old Indus script, unlocking secrets of an ancient civilization in this fascinating TED talk by Rajesh Rao.

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

A Future Beyond Traffic Gridlock

Bill Ford envisions a sustainable future of mobility, addressing environmental concerns and global gridlock through smart roads, advanced public transport, and innovative green technologies.

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

A Manifesto for Play, for Bulgaria and Beyond

Steve Keil advocates for embracing playfulness to revitalize Bulgaria's economy, education, and society, challenging the prevailing "serious meme" and promoting creativity and innovation.

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

How I Became 100 Artists

Explore one artist's ingenious approach to creating a diverse international art show by inventing 100 unique artists and their works, showcasing creativity and versatility in various mediums.

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

Medicine's Future - There's an App for That

Explore the future of medicine with innovative tools, tests, and apps bringing diagnostic information to patients' bedsides, revolutionizing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

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

Is Anatomy Destiny?

Explore the blurred lines of anatomy and gender with Alice Dreger as she challenges societal norms and questions why physical characteristics should determine our fate.

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

Building a Dinosaur from a Chicken

Paleontologist Jack Horner discusses his innovative approach to reconstructing dinosaurs by genetically engineering chickens to reactivate ancestral traits like teeth, tails, and hands.

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

Damon Horowitz Calls for a "Moral Operating System"

Explore the ethical implications of technology's growing power and the need for a philosophical framework to guide our decisions in this thought-provoking talk on digital ethics.

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

Faith versus Tradition in Islam

Journalist explores the distinction between Islamic faith and cultural traditions, challenging perceptions and emphasizing core beliefs over local practices in understanding Islam.

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

Artfully Visualizing Our Humanity

Explore how artist Aaron Koblin transforms vast data sets and crowd-sourced contributions into stunning visual art, revealing new perspectives on human connectivity and modern technology.

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

A Light Switch for Neurons

Innovative neuroscience technique using light-sensitive proteins to control brain cells, offering potential treatments for PTSD and blindness, with implications for neural prosthetics.

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

Building the Seed Cathedral

Explore innovative bio-inspired designs by architect Thomas Heatherwick, including the Seed Cathedral, showcasing ingenious reimaginings of everyday structures and a celebration of growth and light.

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