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  • Mysteries of vernacular: Quarantine - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

    View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-quarantine-jessica-oreck-and-rachael-teel

    Uploaded 04-07-13

    Stemming from the days of bubonic plague in Medieval Europe, quarantines were originally used to prevent potentially plague-infested ships from disembarking at a port city. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel explain how the length of the wait, often 40 days, came to be associated with the word we use today.

    Lesson by Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel, animation by Jessica Oreck.



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    4 min
  • Will the actual Fernando please stand up? - Ilan Stavans

    Get to know the life of enigmatic poet and writer Fernando Pessoa, who wrote not as himself but as other people he invented.

    --

    On November 30th, 1935, dozens of writers passed away. They came from different backgrounds, espoused divergent beliefs, and wrote in a variety of styles. Yet almost 30,000 pages of their work was stashed in a trunk in an apartment in Lisbon, Portugal. So, what mysterious string tied all these writers together? Ilan Stavans explores the enigmatic life of Fernando Pessoa and his many identities.

    Lesson by Ilan Stavans, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet.

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    View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/these-70-writers-are-actually-all-the-same-person-ilan-stavans
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    Animator's website: https://www.instagram.com/helo.dr/?hl=fr
    Music: https://soundcloud.com/aim-music
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    Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu and David D.

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    7 min
  • What is the universe made of? - Dennis Wildfogel

    View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-the-universe-made-of-dennis-wildfogel

    Uploaded 25-02-14

    The atoms around you have existed for billions of years -- and most originated in the flaming, gaseous core of a star. Dennis Wildfogel tells the captivating tale of these atoms' long journeys from the Big Bang to the molecules they form today.

    Lesson by Dennis Wildfogel, animation by Pew36 Animation Studios.



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    6 min
  • Why do we cry? The three types of tears - Alex Gendler

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    Uploaded 26-02-14

    View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-we-cry-the-three-types-of-tears-alex-gendler

    Whether we cry during a sad movie, while chopping onions, or completely involuntarily, our eyes are constantly producing tears. Alex Gendler tracks a particularly watery day in the life of Iris (the iris) as she cycles through basal, reflex and emotional tears.

    Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by The Moving Company Animation Studio.



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    6 min
  • The story of our world in 18 minutes - David Christian

    Backed by stunning illustrations, David Christian narrates a complete history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the Internet, in a riveting 18 minutes. This is "Big History": an enlightening, wide-angle look at complexity, life and humanity, set against our slim share of the cosmic timeline.

    Talk by David Christian.

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    23 min
  • Is telekinesis real? - Emma Bryce

    Use the scientific method to investigate whether telekinesis — the ability to control objects with our minds — is really possible.

    Uploaded 30-09-14

    --

    Telekinesis, the ability to manipulate matter with the mind alone, is a trait exhibited by some of the most iconic fictional characters, including Neo, Yoda, and, of course, Carrie. But is this mind control actually possible in real life? Emma Bryce subjects telekinesis to the scientific method.

    Lesson by Emma Bryce, animation by Delphine Burrus.

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    View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/is-telekinesis-real-emma-bryce
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    8 min
  • The real history behind the legend of the 47 Rōnin - Adam Clulow

    Dig into one of Japan’s most infamous stories about the 47 samurai who take revenge for the loss of their leader.

    --

    Asano Naganori, lord of Akō domain, fixed his gaze on Kira Yoshinaka, a senior master of ceremony. Asano extended his short sword, charged through the castle, and struck Kira. While the wound wasn’t fatal, its consequences would be. What brought about this violent quarrel? And what would come of Asano and his samurai? Adam Clulow shares the legend of the 47 Rōnin and their quest for revenge.

    Lesson by Adam Clulow, directed by Arvind Singh Jeena, Anantha Krishnan, Totem Creative.

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    View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-true-story-behind-the-legend-of-the-47-ronin-adam-clulow
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    Animator's website: https://www.totemcreative.in
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    Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak Hajizadeh, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen and Igor Stavchanskiy.

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    8 min
  • History vs. Egypt's "strongest" pharaoh - Jessica Tomkins

    Pharaoh Ramesses II presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity— but was he a model leader or a master of propaganda?

    --

    Pharaoh Ramesses II reigned for almost 70 years in the 13th century BCE. He presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity, power, and wealth. But was he a model leader or a shameless egomaniac and master of propaganda? Jessica Tomkins puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Ramesses the Great.

    Lesson by Jessica Tomkins, directed by Brett Underhill, PorkchopBob Studio.

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    View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/history-vs-egypt-s-most-powerful-pharaoh-jessica-tomkins
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    Animator's website: http://www.porkchopbob.com
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    Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Michael Aquilina, Jason A Saslow, Yansong Li, Cristóbal Moenne, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak Hajizadeh, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon and Eddy Trochez.

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    9 min
  • How to recognize if you're self-interested (and whether that's actually harmful) - Mark Hopwood

    Explore a classic philosophical debate and decide: is it human nature to be selfish? And if so, is it possible to overcome it?

    --

    The question of whether or not humans are inherently selfish is one of philosophy’s oldest debates. The idea that we only act out of self-interest is an extreme stance that few philosophers would endorse. However, the idea that all humans have a deep selfish streak is something many philosophers would agree with. So, are we innately selfish? Mark Hopwood explores this classic conundrum.

    Lesson by Mark Hopwood, directed by Avi Ofer.

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    View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-know-if-you-re-being-selfish-and-whether-or-not-that-s-bad-mark-hopwood
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    Animator's website: https://aviofer.com
    Educator's website: https://new.sewanee.edu/programs-of-study/philosophy/faculty-staff/mark-hopwood
    Music: https://www.wonderboyaudio.com
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    Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Michel-Ange Hortegat, Enes Kirimi, Amaury BISIAUX, ND, Samyogita Hardikar, Vanessa Graulich, Vandana Gunwani, Abdulmohsin Almadi, AJ Lyon, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O, Weronika Falkowska, Nevin Spoljaric, Sid Chanpuriya, Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Noah Webb, Roberto Chena, Oliver Koo, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Nicole Klau Ibarra, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Petr Vacek, Dennis, Olivia Fu, Kari Teffeau, Cindy Lai, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, Chin Beng Tan, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Iryna Panasiuk, Aaron Torres, Eric Braun, Sonja Worzewski, Michael Clement, Adam Berry, Ghaith Tarawneh, Nathan Milford, Tomas Beckett, Alice Ice, Eric Berman and Kurt Paolo Sevillano.

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    8 min
  • The Greek myth of Demeter's retaliation - Iseult Gillespie

    Dig into the Greek myth of Mestra and her father King Erysichthon, who angered the gods and was cursed with insatiable hunger.

    --

    Mestra, princess of Thessaly, was far from home. She had watched her father, King Erysichthon, plunge into a ruin of his own making. Now, to save himself, he’d sold his own daughter to the highest bidder. But Mestra refused to accept this fate and began to plan her escape. Iseult Gillespie shares the Greek myth of Mestra's bid for freedom.

    Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Vitalii Nebelskyi, and action creative agency.

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    Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Fernando A. Endo, Helen Lee, pam morgan, sarim haq, Gerardo Castro, Michel-Ange Hortegat, Enes Kirimi, Amaury BISIAUX, ND, Samyogita Hardikar, Vanessa Graulich, Vandana Gunwani, Abdulmohsin Almadi, AJ Lyon, Geoffrey Bultitude, Mi Mi, Thomas Rothert, Brian Elieson, Oge O, Weronika Falkowska, Nevin Spoljaric, Sid Chanpuriya, Anoop Varghese, David Yastremski, Noah Webb, Roberto Chena, Oliver Koo, Luke Pisano, Andrea Gordon, Aleksandar Donev, Nicole Klau Ibarra, Jesse Lira, Ezekiel Raui, Petr Vacek, Dennis, Olivia Fu, Kari Teffeau, Cindy Lai, Rajath Durgada Manjunath, Dan Nguyen, Chin Beng Tan, Tom Boman, Karen Warner, Iryna Panasiuk, Aaron Torres, Eric Braun, Sonja Worzewski, Michael Clement, Adam Berry and Ghaith Tarawneh.

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    8 min

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TED-Ed’s mission is to create lessons worth sharing. Feed and expand your curiosity with our award-winning animated shorts - published on YouTube and available with supplemental learning materials on ed.ted.com.