I've been going through the thread from about a year and a half ago that has a myriad of great TED talks, watching one or two of them every few nights. (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=442022)<p>I'm starting to run out on that thread, and I'd love to get a good compilation going that includes some from the past 2 conferences.<p>So, HN - what are you favorite TED talks? I'll get it started with these: Sir Ken's Robinson's talk on nurturing creativity in education (http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html) and Inspiring Action through leadership (http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html)
Paul Stamets on 6 ways mushrooms can save the world: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_ca...</a><p>This talk is not about hallucinogenic mushrooms. It really opened my eyes to the awesome potential of fungi, and how this potential is largely ignored because of the connotation to "hippy" and "drugs." Fungi is just generally misunderstood. I was absolutely amazed at how thorough these clean-up jobs were, at how well the fungi consumed, not only the waste, but the toxins in the waste.<p>Stamets recently wrote his fungi take to cleaning oil spills: <a href="http://www.fungi.com/mycotech/petroleum_problem.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.fungi.com/mycotech/petroleum_problem.html</a>
Mike Rowe celebrates dirty jobs: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_rowe_celebrates_dirty_jobs.htm...</a><p>A surprisingly powerful ode to people who just do the work. Our jobs may not be dirty but the lessons are still interesting and applicable; connecting to startups isn't that hard.<p>I like many of the other linked talks too, but as of my writing this one was not posted.
Hans Rosling with the best stats you've ever seen:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_y...</a>
Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke...</a><p>A neuroscientist that suffered from a stroke talked about the experience and the interesting conclusion that came from it.
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/vilayanur_ramachandran_on_your_mind...</a> ("Vilayanur Ramachandran tells us what brain damage can reveal about the connection between celebral tissue and the mind, using three startling delusions as examples. .. Dr Ramachandran is the author of the author of Phantoms in the Brain (the basis for a Nova special), A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness and The Man with the Phantom Twin: Adventures in the Neuroscience of the Human Brain")<p>Very hacker like, brilliant, work.
I can't believe no one has mentioned Ken Robinson's talk yet!<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_...</a><p>Brilliant (and funny) talk about how schools suck the creativity out of students, but also how this <i>doesn't</i> have to be the case. My favorite TED Talk of all time.
The only TED talk that has ever brought tears to my eyes - Jamie Oliver's: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html</a>
My Favorite Ted Talk is Dan Pink on the surprising science of motivation. <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html</a>
I don't know if they're my <i>favorite</i>, but Rory Sutherland's two are excellent, and I think well worth watching especially if you ever think you might be trying to sell something to someone.<p>Life lessons from an ad man: (<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_life_lessons_from_an_ad_man.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_life_lessons_from_a...</a>)<p>Sweat the small stuff: (<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_sweat_the_small_stuff.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_sweat_the_small_stu...</a>)
Great question. It's tough for me to single out just one favorite, though this one has had a large impact on me. It's from Dan Buettner on his study of Blue Zones and why inhabitants regularly live long lives:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100....</a><p>This talk from Robert Full also had an impact, because it reminded me to look at unrelated fields for inspiration & solutions, like as the field of biology:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_full_learning_from_the_gecko_s_tail.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_full_learning_from_the_gecko...</a><p>On a side note, an exercise I've had fun doing with friends lately is to ask them who among our own social circles we would like to see speak, if we held our own TED talk. And what topics we would like to speak about ourselves. It has spurned a lot of interesting discussions amongst ourselves.
I enjoyed Daniel Kahneman on "The riddle of experience vs memory", which is about the ways people structure their lives for experiences they think they will enjoy remembering, rather than things they'd necessarily enjoy doing at the time. There's also a good anecdote about how making a colonoscopy slightly more unpleasant cam leave the patient with a more favorable recollection.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_exper...</a>
Liz Gilbert's talk on Creative Genius (<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html</a>) is really underrated. Not only does it cover a fascinating subject, it's also a beautifully done speech. Gilbert skims across the surface of many subjects, and in the final few minutes ties it all together into one cohesive whole. Poignant, thoughtful, and entertaining - as all speeches should aspire to be.
The intelligence of crows has always been my favorite. Joshua Klein talks about a cleaver way to create a mutually beneficial relationship with a species usually considered to be a pest.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intel...</a>
Larry Lessig on laws that choke creativity:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_lessig_says_the_law_is_strangling_creativity.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/larry_lessig_says_the_law_is_strang...</a>
I liked (in the order they show up in my del.icio.us stream):<p>* Dan Buettner How to live to be 100 <a href="http://blog.ted.com/2010/01/how_to_live_to.php" rel="nofollow">http://blog.ted.com/2010/01/how_to_live_to.php</a><p>* Dan Pink on the surprising science of motivation <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html</a><p>* Kamal Meattle on how to grow fresh air <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_grow_your_own_fresh_air.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kamal_meattle_on_how_to_g...</a><p>* Ian Dunbar on dog-friendly dog training <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ian_dunbar_on_dog_friendly_dog_training.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ian_dunbar_on_dog_friendl...</a><p>* Mark Bittman on what's wrong with what we eat <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wr...</a><p>* Hans Rosling shows the best stats you've ever seen <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/hans_rosling_shows_the_be...</a><p>* Sugata Mitra shows how kids teach themselves <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sugata_mitra_shows_how_kids_teach_themselves.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sugata_mitra_shows_how_ki...</a><p>* Alan Russell on regenerating our bodies <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/alan_russell_on_regenerating_our_bodies.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/alan_russell_on_regenerat...</a><p>* Robert Lang folds way-new origami <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new_origami.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/robert_lang_folds_way_new...</a><p>* John Maeda: Simplicity patterns <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/172/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/172/</a><p>Somehow I never bookmarked<p>* Dan Gilbert's talks <a href="http://www.ted.com/speakers/dan_gilbert.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/speakers/dan_gilbert.html</a><p>* Dan Ariely's talks <a href="http://www.ted.com/speakers/dan_ariely.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/speakers/dan_ariely.html</a><p>Which I've now remedied<p>There was also one about regenerating local ecosystems that I somehow can't seem to find right now.
My best is The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Adichie.<p>She was able to articulate the feeling that stereotyped people have. Unfortunately, we are all guilty in some way knowingly or unknowingly. It is a must watch.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_...</a>
Sheila Patek on the fastest animal on Earth. One thing a particularily like about this talk is that it seems she doesn't realize how captivating she is:
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sheila_patek_clocks_the_fastest_animals.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/sheila_patek_clocks_the_fastest_ani...</a>
Always liked Thomas Barnett's talk on the Pentagon's new map for peace. Interesting ideas. Delivers with some humor.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/thomas_barnett_draws_a_new_map_for_peace.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/thomas_barnett_draws_a_new...</a>
I really like Sherwin Nuland's talk on electroshock therapy: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sherwin_nuland_on_electroshock_therapy.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/sherwin_nuland_on_electroshock_ther...</a><p>I've never seen anyone write about this talk, but it is intensely personal story of his depression and recovery through electroshock therapy.
Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology.Pranav Mistry demos several tools that help the physical world interact with the world of data -- including a deep look at his SixthSense device and a new, paradigm-shifting paper "laptop." In an onstage Q&A, Mistry says he'll open-source the software behind SixthSense, to open its possibilities to all.
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/pranav_mistry_the_thrillin...</a>
I have liked many of the TED talks, can't point out a single favorite.<p>This is one I saw recently - It's good. And quite relevant to entrepreneurs - <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_herold_let_s_raise_kids_to_be_entrepreneurs.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_herold_let_s_raise_kids_to_...</a>
I've always found the talk "Adam Savage's Obsessions" to be inspiring. His eye for detail and relentless obsession for getting things right are contagious.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/adam_savage_s_obsessions.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/adam_savage_s_obsessions....</a>
Results of and a link to Google spreadsheet of TED talks in order of "engagement". <a href="http://blog.postrank.com/2010/05/and-the-most-engaging-ted-talk-is/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.postrank.com/2010/05/and-the-most-engaging-ted-t...</a>
Gary Flake: is Pivot a turning point for web exploration?
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT_x9s67yWA" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT_x9s67yWA</a><p>Because it illustrates <i>why</i> metadata is important, necessary, and its power.
Hands down the all time best, Richard Dawkins on our "queer" universe:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_dawkins_on_our_queer_universe.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_dawkins_on_our_queer_univer...</a><p>Aubrey de Grey on aging is also pretty good:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/aubrey_de_grey_says_we_can_avoid_aging.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/aubrey_de_grey_says_we_can_avoid_ag...</a>
I enjoyed all three of Juan Enriquez's talks, Kevin Kelly on how technology evolves and Ray Kurzweil on how technology will transform us. Together, those 5 talks greatly changed the way I view the world.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_wants_to_grow_energy.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_wants_to_grow_energy....</a>
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_how_technology_evolves.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_how_technology_evolv...</a>
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ray_kurzweil_on_how_technology_will_transform_us.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ray_kurzweil_on_how_techno...</a>
My favourite is probably Barry Schwartz on the paradox of choice: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/barry_schwartz_on_the_para...</a>
Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_different.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_differen...</a><p>I just think this is the way we should look at the world
Benjamin Zander on classical music and shining eyes :) <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_...</a><p>And a rather controversial but spectacular idea by Wubbo Ockels on time as a creation of human mind as a response to gravity <a href="http://www.tedxamsterdam.com/2009/video-wubbo-ockels-on-time-and-gravity/" rel="nofollow">http://www.tedxamsterdam.com/2009/video-wubbo-ockels-on-time...</a>
Brian Cox <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdwOlk6HIVc&feature=player_embedded" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdwOlk6HIVc&feature=playe...</a>
I used to keep a txt file of my favorite TED Talks. A while ago my mom was having issues with iWeb so I used my TED list as test content in order to trouble shoot. It's just links with some notes about why I liked it or what made it memorable for me but I still reference it every now and then when I'm in need of inspiration.<p><a href="http://chrisovercash.com" rel="nofollow">http://chrisovercash.com</a>
Daniel Gilbert asks, Why are we happy? in this TED talk.
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.h...</a><p>He also did a great interview on the Colbert Report that never fails to crack me up.
<a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_...</a><p>Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days of the web
Ben Dunlap talks about a passionate life: <a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ben_dunlap_talks_about_a_passionate_life.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ben_dunlap_talks_about_a_...</a><p>"This is what I'm passionate about. It is precisely this. It is this inextinguishable, undaunted appetite for learning and experience, no matter how risible, no matter how esoteric, no matter how seditious it might seem."
Matthieu Ricard - Habits of Happiness <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/matthieu_ricard_on_the_habits_of_happiness.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/matthieu_ricard_on_the_habits_of_ha...</a><p>"What is happiness, and how can we all get some? Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard says we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment."
My favorite one is definitely Simon Sinek's talk on 'How great leaders inspire action'.<p>If you want to see a collection of inspiring videos on social entrepreneurship you can visit this site:<p><a href="http://trendguardian.blogspot.com/search/label/Social%20Entrepreneurship" rel="nofollow">http://trendguardian.blogspot.com/search/label/Social%20Entr...</a>
Ben Zander (conductor of the Boston Philharmonic) gives an amazing presentation on "Music and Passion." It is my favorite TED talk besides Simon Sinek's, which you mentioned.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passio...</a>
I like talks by scientists who talk about their jobs. This one is especially captivating for me:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_saxe_how_brains_make_moral_judgments.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_saxe_how_brains_make_moral_...</a><p>I also like answers to questions after this talk.
There are a lot of good ones, but my favorite is still Erin McKean's talk about dictionaries:<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/erin_mckean_redefines_the_dictionary.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/erin_mckean_redefines_the_...</a>
Easily my favorite is Dean Kamen's "The emotion behind invention." He has at least two TED talks, this is his longer, more complete one.<p><a href="http://blog.ted.com/2010/04/the_emotion_beh.php" rel="nofollow">http://blog.ted.com/2010/04/the_emotion_beh.php</a>
Personally, my favorite TED talk is David Eggers' TED wish <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wis...</a>
There are a couple the deal with choice and happiness that I found very enlightening. Matthieu Ricard's may be one of them, and was already mentioned. There is at least one other and maybe more on that general subject though.
My most recent favorite:<p>Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductors: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/itay_talgam_lead_like_the_great_conductors.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/itay_talgam_lead_like_the_great_con...</a>
Carolyn Porco about the Cassini–Huygens mission to Saturn: <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/carolyn_porco_flies_us_to_saturn.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/carolyn_porco_flies_us_to_saturn.ht...</a><p>Really passionate.
I really like Elisabeth Pisani's talk on HIV prevention and rationality. <a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=442022" rel="nofollow">http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=442022</a>
Erin Mckean speaking about the dictionary <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/erin_mckean_redefines_the_dictionary.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/erin_mckean_redefines_the_dictionar...</a> .. watching Erin make the dictionary seem so excited and passionate about something I had never quite considered, that helped pulled me out of a deep funk and get excited about problems I was solving again.<p>Miru Kim speaking about her Urban Exploration Photograpy: <a href="http://blog.ted.com/2009/02/making_art_of_n.php" rel="nofollow">http://blog.ted.com/2009/02/making_art_of_n.php</a>
Dan Gilbert on happiness - it changed my life.<p><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy.h...</a>