Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” If this sounds like a philosophy you can relate to, then you’ll love TED talks. These informational 17 minute presentations are given at annual conferences by some of the world’s greatest thinkers.
Their aim is simple: To inspire ideas and change attitudes around the world. As of April 2014, there were over 1,700 of these incredible talks available free online to choose from. Sadly, listening to them all would take 20 days solid. Happily, you don’t have to because we’ve picked the most life changing for you. Listen and learn and enjoy.
1. Apollo Robbins: The art of misdirection
Hailed as the greatest pickpocket in the world, Apollo Robbins studies the quirks of human behavior as he steals your watch. In a hilarious demonstration, Robbins samples the buffet of the TEDGlobal 2013 audience, showing how the flaws in our perception make it possible to swipe a wallet and leave it on its owner’s shoulder while they remain clueless.
2. Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.
3. Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight
Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions — motion, speech, self-awareness — shut down one by one. An astonishing story.
4. Bobby McFerrin: Watch me play … the audience!
In this fun, 3-min performance from the World Science Festival, musician Bobby McFerrin uses the pentatonic scale to reveal one surprising result of the way our brains are wired.
5. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie : The danger of a single story
Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
6. Shane Koyczan: To This Day … for the bullied and beautiful
By turn hilarious and haunting, poet Shane Koyczan puts his finger on the pulse of what it’s like to be young and … different. “To This Day,” his spoken-word poem about bullying, captivated millions as a viral video (created, crowd-source style, by 80 animators). Here, he gives a glorious, live reprise with backstory and violin accompaniment by Hannah Epperson.
7. Benjamin Zander: The transformative power of classical music
Benjamin Zander has two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us all realize our untapped love for it — and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, new connections.
8. Hans Rosling: The best stats you’ve ever seen
You’ve never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called “developing world.”
9. Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter …
“If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she’s gonna call me Point B … ” began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis — from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York’s Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project V.O.I.C.E. — and gives two breathtaking performances of “B” and “Hiroshima.”
10. Hyeonseo Lee: My escape from North Korea
As a child growing up in North Korea, Hyeonseo Lee thought her country was “the best on the planet.” It wasn’t until the famine of the 90s that she began to wonder. She escaped the country at 14, to begin a life in hiding, as a refugee in China. Hers is a harrowing, personal tale of survival and hope — and a powerful reminder of those who face constant danger, even when the border is far behind.
11. Bonnie Bassler: How bacteria “talk”
Bonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria “talk” to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine, industry — and our understanding of ourselves.
12. Kid President: I think we all need a pep talk
Kid President commands you to wake up, listen to the beating of your heart and create something that will make the world awesome. This video from SoulPancake delivers a soul-stirring dose of inspiration that only a 9-year-old can give.
13. 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.
14. Brian Greene: Making sense of string theory
Physicist Brian Greene explains superstring theory, the idea that minscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe.
15. Jane McGonigal: Gaming can make a better world
Games like World of Warcraft give players the means to save worlds, and incentive to learn the habits of heroes. What if we could harness this gamer power to solve real-world problems? Jane McGonigal says we can, and explains how.
16. Cameron Russell: Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model.
Cameron Russell admits she won “a genetic lottery”: she’s tall, pretty and an underwear model. But don’t judge her by her looks. In this fearless talk, she takes a wry look at the industry that had her looking highly seductive at barely 16 years old.
17. Mike Rowe: Learning from dirty jobs
Mike Rowe, the host of “Dirty Jobs,” tells some compelling (and horrifying) real-life job stories. Listen for his insights and observations about the nature of hard work, and how it’s been unjustifiably degraded in society today.
18. Arthur Benjamin: A performance of “Mathemagic”
In a lively show, mathemagician Arthur Benjamin races a team of calculators to figure out 3-digit squares, solves another massive mental equation and guesses a few birthdays. How does he do it? He’ll tell you.
19. Aimee Mullins: My 12 pairs of legs
Athlete, actor and activist Aimee Mullins talks about her prosthetic legs — she’s got a dozen amazing pairs — and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height … Quite simply, she redefines what the body can be.
20. Richard Dawkins: Why the universe seems so strange
Biologist Richard Dawkins makes a case for “thinking the improbable” by looking at how the human frame of reference limits our understanding of the universe.
21. Ken Robinson: How schools kill creativity
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.
22. Majora Carter: Greening the ghetto
In an emotionally charged talk, MacArthur-winning activist Majora Carter details her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx — and shows how minority neighborhoods suffer most from flawed urban policy.
23. Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad man
Advertising adds value to a product by changing our perception, rather than the product itself. Rory Sutherland makes the daring assertion that a change in perceived value can be just as satisfying as what we consider “real” value — and his conclusion has interesting consequences for how we look at life.
24. Barry Schwartz: The paradox of choice
Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz’s estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.
25. Jonathan Haidt: The moral roots of liberals and conservatives
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt studies the five moral values that form the basis of our political choices, whether we’re left, right or center. In this eye-opening talk, he pinpoints the moral values that liberals and conservatives tend to honor most.
Now that you’re seeing the world from a different perspective, let us know in the comments which of these talks were your favorites. You can also add the ones that we missed, so that others can enjoy them too!
The 4th one is Amazing!!
I have listened to most of these TED Talks and they are truly amazing. If you really listen to what these people have to say it can really get you thinking about the way you view things.
So much awesomeness on one page. Thanks for researching it!!
1, 5 and 15 are my favs, but these all rock in one way or another. Everyone should bookmark.
What a wonderful reflection collection. Great!
Where is Rupert Sheldrake’s ‘science dellusion’ speech?
I have listened to some of these already, and they were great. Just bookmarked a few more to listen to later. Thanks!
Lawrence Lessig’s “We the People & the Republic We Must Reclaim” is an excellent explanation of what has caused much of the political gridlock in Washington for the past half-decade.
How can you not have Simon Sinek:
How great leaders inspire action on here!!
nice and informative article
Awesome post! Number 6 is great!
TED is always my first stop if I need some inspiration. Love the Bobby McFerrin video!
21 no. is that I loved most. Schools really kills creativity of kids. Thanks for sharing.
I would also add Shawn Achor’s talk on happiness at work: http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work
It’s what inspired my TEDx talk on humor at work: http://youtu.be/6iFCm5ZokBI
Great selection! Hans Rosling changed how I looked at the world straight off. Never heard of him before
great selections, you missed : an exeptionaly simple theory of everything from Lissi
We watch TED talks in our English class and enjoy them.
I have seen some of the above talks which were great.
Graham Hancock – The War On Consciousness is a banned TED talk that should be on this list
Thanks for the top tip. Why was it banned?
Amazing list!
18th one is that I liked the most. Infact are unique and provide motivational and interesting message for human being. Thanks for Sharing
brilliant compilation of motivating and powerful ted videos. Bring more like this (Y)
2nd and 21st is a soul inspiring one!!
I really love your lists..actually all vids are awesome
This is Freakin AWESOME!! I Have seen a few Now I have More. I appreciate this List Indeed!
fascinating talks!
It is not mahatma ghandi that said that its immam ALI !
#muhammadAli actually #MahatmaGhandi was the man who deeply studied #Islam. His many quotes are according to islamic sayings.
I’d attached an example when #Ghandhi said his parliamentarians to be simple be like Muslim Khaliphas(Khalipha-e-Rashdeen).
You will never understand what makes a person do what they do,with out understanding the four, body mind heart sole.
I agree that body language do affects our personality and even chances of success in so many aspects, we can’t neglect that.
#2 turned out to be complete BS – her study was retracted.
Jill Bolte Taylor’s “My Stroke of Insight” (#3) was riveting!
nice, motivational and inspirational videos good article.
I really enjoy TED talks especially the one which Apple was used as a case study.
These Ted talks definitely help people to change life. Life is all about getting better day by day. Really appreciate this list.
i love it everything it’s just awesome