TED Talks Society and Culture

By TED

Society & Culture

What's TED Talks Society and Culture about?

Thought-provoking videos about life and being human, with ideas from business leaders, psychologists and researchers speaking onstage at the TED conference, TEDx events and partner events around the world. You can also download these and many other videos free on TED.com, with an interactive English transcript and subtitles in up to 80 languages. TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.

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Demystifying the wild world...

12.05.2022

Is crypto truly the next big thing, or is it just a money-sucking flash in the pan? In a wide-ranging interview, journalist Laura Shin explains what crypto is (and what it definitely isn't), taking us through the most recent turns ...

TED Talks Society and Culture episodes:

12.05.2022 Demystifying the wild world of crypto \| Laura Shin Is crypto truly the next big thing, or is it just a money-sucking flash in the pan? In a wide-ranging interview, journalist Laura Shin explains what crypto is (and what it definitely isn't), taking us through the most recent turns ...
12.01.2022 How to tackle the stigma of living with HIV \| Gareth Thomas After his HIV diagnosis, former pro rugby player Gareth Thomas set out on a mission to tackle the stigma and shame that prevent people from getting the testing and care they need. In this empowering talk, Thomas shares his mission ...
10.17.2022 The truth about faking orgasms \| Karen Gurney Whose pleasure is prioritized during sex, and why? Psychosexologist Karen Gurney explains how a lack of equal pleasure in the bedroom actually reflects broader gender inequality in society -- and asks you to reconsider what dynamics are at play, even ...
10.14.2022 I'm terrified of wanting to be a billionaire \| Pardis Parker Comedian Pardis Parker presents an unfortunate truth: being rich won't make you a legend. In this rollicking comedy set, he roasts society's obsession with billionaires -- and offers an alternative way to leave a legacy.
10.11.2022 4 ways to design a disability-friendly future \| Meghan Hussey Nearly fifteen percent of the world's population lives with a disability, yet this massive chunk of humanity is still routinely excluded from opportunities. Sharing her experience growing up with an autistic sister, disability inclusion advocate Meghan Hussey illuminates the path ...
09.29.2022 The online community supporting queer Africans \| Okong'o Kinyanjui Feeling safe is a human right -- but in many African countries, colonial-era laws make it dangerous for LGBTQIA+ people to gather and share their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Creating a space that leaves no room for ...
08.18.2022 How to build an equitable and just climate future \| Peggy Shepard Everyone has the right to a clean environment -- but major disparities exist when it comes to who faces the consequences of pollution. Environmental justice leader Peggy Shepard points to the disproportionate impact that hazardous environmental conditions have on Black, ...
07.22.2022 A new understanding of human history and the roots of inequality \| David Wengrow What if the commonly accepted narratives about the foundation of civilization are all wrong? Drawing on groundbreaking research, archaeologist David Wengrow challenges traditional thinking about the social evolution of humanity -- from the invention of agriculture to the formation of ...
06.28.2022 An invitation to reexamine your familiar world \| Gillian Tett Before entering the world of financial journalism, Gillian Tett was a cultural anthropologist who studied how the past influences our present thoughts and behaviors. In an entertaining talk, she shows how you can use an anthropological outlook to see the ...
05.17.2022 A creator-led internet, built on blockchain \| Adam Mosseri As digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs become more mainstream, design thinker and head of Instagram Adam Mosseri believes that creators are uniquely positioned to benefit. These blockchain-enabled technologies could remove the need for a "middleman" in the form of ...
04.29.2022 How to heal a divided world \| Michèle Lamont How do we define worth in society, and who gets status? Sociologist Michele Lamont studies these questions and investigates ways to broaden the circle of recognition and fight the harm of social stigmatization. She lays out the steps needed to ...
03.29.2022 What my gender transition taught me about womanhood \| Paula Stone Williams After leading a well-established life as a pastor, father and husband, Paula Stone Williams could no longer deny her truth and transitioned. In this conversational and at times humorous reflection, Williams offers her perspective on the everyday experiences lost, gained ...
03.23.2022 The future will be shaped by optimists \| Kevin Kelly "Every great and difficult thing has required a strong sense of optimism," says editor and author Kevin Kelly, who believes that we have a moral obligation to be optimistic. Tracing humanity's progress throughout history, he's observed that a positive outlook ...
03.15.2022 3 things men can do to promote gender equity \| Jimmie Briggs "It is time for a gender reckoning, beginning with men authentically confronting our internal selves and each other," says essayist and intersectional justice advocate Jimmie Briggs. In this call to action for gender equity, he unpacks how traditional notions of ...
02.07.2022 The origins of blackface and Black stereotypes \| Dwan Reece If you're wondering why blackface -- mimicking people of African descent via stereotypes and makeup-darkened skin -- is a big deal, then perhaps a little history lesson can help demystify the outcry. Dwan Reece, curator at the National Museum of ...
01.10.2022 I'm tired of people telling me to "grind" \| Pardis Parker In an uproarious stand-up set, comedian Pardis Parker rails against a central tenet of modern culture: the "grind."
12.23.2021 Why a free and fair internet is more vital than ever \| Priscilla Chomba-Kinywa Without the internet, how would you have coped with the pandemic -- from work and school, to maintaining your closest relationships? In the digital age, reliance on the internet is so common and seems ubiquitous, yet billions of people worldwide ...
12.23.2021 Why a free and fair internet is more vital than ever \| Priscilla Chomba-Kinywa Without the internet, how would you have coped with the pandemic -- from work and school, to maintaining your closest relationships? In the digital age, reliance on the internet is so common and seems ubiquitous, yet billions of people worldwide ...
12.21.2021 How to escape the cynicism trap \| Jamil Zaki Some days, it's hard to be optimistic. But cynicism -- the idea that people are inherently selfish, greedy and dishonest -- is making humanity lonelier and more divided, says psychologist Jamil Zaki. Presenting fascinating research on cooperation, empathy and trust, ...
12.21.2021 How to escape the cynicism trap \| Jamil Zaki Some days, it's hard to be optimistic. But cynicism -- the idea that people are inherently selfish, greedy and dishonest -- is making humanity lonelier and more divided, says psychologist Jamil Zaki. Presenting fascinating research on cooperation, empathy and trust, ...
11.23.2021 The forest is our teacher. It's time to respect it \| Nemonte Nenquimo For thousands of years, the Amazon rainforest has provided food, water and spiritual connection for its Indigenous inhabitants and the world. But the endless extraction of its natural resources by oil companies and others is destroying the lives of those ...
10.29.2021 The haunting truth of ghost stories \| Coya Paz Brownrigg Ghost stories reveal much more than the ghouls and spirits that haunt them. Settle in for a spooky delight as theater educator Coya Paz Brownrigg lays out three types of bone-chilling tales and exhumes the grave truths they hold about ...
10.08.2021 How humanity doubled life expectancy in a century \| Steven Johnson Doubling human life expectancy in a century is our greatest achievement, says author Steven Johnson. How did we make it happen -- and can we keep it going? Backed by fascinating historical anecdotes, he shares some life-lengthening innovations and reminds ...
10.08.2021 How humanity doubled life expectancy in a century \| Steven Johnson Doubling human life expectancy in a century is our greatest achievement, says author Steven Johnson. How did we make it happen -- and can we keep it going? Backed by fascinating historical anecdotes, he shares some life-lengthening innovations and reminds ...
09.14.2021 The inaccurate link between body ideals and health \| Nancy N. Chen Global obesity rates are on the rise, but body shaming campaigns are doing more harm than good, says medical anthropologist Nancy N. Chen. Reflecting on how the cultural histories of body ideals have changed over time, she offers a new ...
09.01.2021 A taste of Mexico's ancient chocolate-making tradition \| Germán Santillán Dating back more than 800 years, chocolate is deeply woven into the Indigenous history of Oaxaca, Mexico. TED Fellow Germán Santillán talks about his work reviving the Mixtec technique used to prepare this ancient delicacy by training a new generation ...
09.01.2021 A taste of Mexico's ancient chocolate-making tradition \| Germán Santillán Dating back more than 800 years, chocolate is deeply woven into the Indigenous history of Oaxaca, Mexico. TED Fellow Germán Santillán talks about his work reviving the Mixtec technique used to prepare this ancient delicacy by training a new generation ...
07.27.2021 The radical, revolutionary resilience of Black joy \| Miracle Jones In the face of trauma, happiness is resilience: a revolutionary act of thriving despite all odds, rather than wilting or surrendering. Community organizer and activist Miracle Jones offers a heart-to-heart meditation on the role of joy as a form of ...
07.27.2021 The radical, revolutionary resilience of Black joy \| Miracle Jones In the face of trauma, happiness is resilience: a revolutionary act of thriving despite all odds, rather than wilting or surrendering. Community organizer and activist Miracle Jones offers a heart-to-heart meditation on the role of joy as a form of ...
07.16.2021 3 myths about racism that keep the US from progress \| Candis Watts Smith Racism morphs, spreading and hiding behind numerous half-truths and full-blown falsities about where it lives and who embodies it. In this actionable talk, political scientist Candis Watts Smith debunks three widely accepted myths about racism in the US and calls ...
07.16.2021 3 myths about racism that keep the US from progress \| Candis Watts Smith Racism morphs, spreading and hiding behind numerous half-truths and full-blown falsities about where it lives and who embodies it. In this actionable talk, political scientist Candis Watts Smith debunks three widely accepted myths about racism in the US and calls ...
07.16.2021 3 myths about racism that keep the US from progress \| Candis Watts Smith Racism morphs, spreading and hiding behind numerous half-truths and full-blown falsities about where it lives and who embodies it. In this actionable talk, political scientist Candis Watts Smith debunks three widely accepted myths about racism in the US and calls ...
07.06.2021 Why aren't there more Native American restaurants? \| Sean Sherman When you think of North American cuisine, do Indigenous foods come to mind? Chef Sean Sherman serves up an essential history lesson that explains the absence of Native American culinary traditions across the continent, highlighting why revitalizing Indigenous education sits ...
07.06.2021 Why aren't there more Native American restaurants? \| Sean Sherman When you think of North American cuisine, do Indigenous foods come to mind? Chef Sean Sherman serves up an essential history lesson that explains the absence of Native American culinary traditions across the continent, highlighting why revitalizing Indigenous education sits ...
07.06.2021 Why aren't there more Native American restaurants? \| Sean Sherman When you think of North American cuisine, do Indigenous foods come to mind? Chef Sean Sherman serves up an essential history lesson that explains the absence of Native American culinary traditions across the continent, highlighting why revitalizing Indigenous education sits ...
06.03.2021 The anxiety that comes from being treated like an outsider \| Valerie Purdie-Greenaway The stress you may feel being otherized or stereotyped can take a significant toll on your health and well-being. In this thoughtful conversation, social psychologist Valerie Purdie-Greenaway reveals the true source of this anxiety (hint: it isn't the individual) and ...
06.03.2021 The anxiety that comes from being treated like an outsider \| Valerie Purdie-Greenaway The stress you may feel being otherized or stereotyped can take a significant toll on your health and well-being. In this thoughtful conversation, social psychologist Valerie Purdie-Greenaway reveals the true source of this anxiety (hint: it isn't the individual) and ...
06.03.2021 The anxiety that comes from being treated like an outsider \| Valerie Purdie-Greenaway The stress you may feel being otherized or stereotyped can take a significant toll on your health and well-being. In this thoughtful conversation, social psychologist Valerie Purdie-Greenaway reveals the true source of this anxiety (hint: it isn't the individual) and ...
06.03.2021 The anxiety that comes from being treated like an outsider \| Valerie Purdie-Greenaway The stress you may feel being otherized or stereotyped can take a significant toll on your health and well-being. In this thoughtful conversation, social psychologist Valerie Purdie-Greenaway reveals the true source of this anxiety (hint: it isn't the individual) and ...
06.03.2021 The anxiety that comes from being treated like an outsider \| Valerie Purdie-Greenaway The stress you may feel being otherized or stereotyped can take a significant toll on your health and well-being. In this thoughtful conversation, social psychologist Valerie Purdie-Greenaway reveals the true source of this anxiety (hint: it isn't the individual) and ...
05.24.2021 The infinite alchemy of storytelling \| Zahra Al-Mahdi TED Fellow Zahra Al-Mahdi was raised by screens -- "storytelling machines" like TV and the internet that shaped her sense of self and reality. Now a multimedia artist and filmmaker, she challenges common historical narratives and brings a multiplicity of ...
05.24.2021 The infinite alchemy of storytelling \| Zahra Al-Mahdi TED Fellow Zahra Al-Mahdi was raised by screens -- "storytelling machines" like TV and the internet that shaped her sense of self and reality. Now a multimedia artist and filmmaker, she challenges common historical narratives and brings a multiplicity of ...
05.24.2021 The infinite alchemy of storytelling \| Zahra Al-Mahdi TED Fellow Zahra Al-Mahdi was raised by screens -- "storytelling machines" like TV and the internet that shaped her sense of self and reality. Now a multimedia artist and filmmaker, she challenges common historical narratives and brings a multiplicity of ...
05.24.2021 The real-life superheroes helping Syrian refugees \| Feras Fayyad Society has a set of stories it tells itself about who refugees are and what they look like, says documentarian and TED Fellow Feras Fayyad. With his films, he's on a mission to separate the facts about refugees from fiction, ...
05.24.2021 The real-life superheroes helping Syrian refugees \| Feras Fayyad Society has a set of stories it tells itself about who refugees are and what they look like, says documentarian and TED Fellow Feras Fayyad. With his films, he's on a mission to separate the facts about refugees from fiction, ...
05.24.2021 The real-life superheroes helping Syrian refugees \| Feras Fayyad Society has a set of stories it tells itself about who refugees are and what they look like, says documentarian and TED Fellow Feras Fayyad. With his films, he's on a mission to separate the facts about refugees from fiction, ...
05.24.2021 The real-life superheroes helping Syrian refugees \| Feras Fayyad Society has a set of stories it tells itself about who refugees are and what they look like, says documentarian and TED Fellow Feras Fayyad. With his films, he's on a mission to separate the facts about refugees from fiction, ...
05.24.2021 A feminist reimagining of Kenya's public transport \| Naomi Mwaura Kenya's minibuses -- known as "matatus" -- offer a convenient, affordable and colorful way for people to get around. But they also pose safety risks and accessibility issues for many of their passengers, especially women. Bringing a feminist perspective, activist ...
05.24.2021 A feminist reimagining of Kenya's public transport \| Naomi Mwaura Kenya's minibuses -- known as "matatus" -- offer a convenient, affordable and colorful way for people to get around. But they also pose safety risks and accessibility issues for many of their passengers, especially women. Bringing a feminist perspective, activist ...
05.24.2021 A feminist reimagining of Kenya's public transport \| Naomi Mwaura Kenya's minibuses -- known as "matatus" -- offer a convenient, affordable and colorful way for people to get around. But they also pose safety risks and accessibility issues for many of their passengers, especially women. Bringing a feminist perspective, activist ...

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