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The myth of Sisyphus - Alex Gendler
The Greek myth and its philosophical implications.
How do self-driving cars “see”? - Sajan Saini
Explore the sensors and AI behind autonomous vehicles.
TED-Ed: The Myth of Pandora's Box
Pandora was the first mortal woman, breathed into being by Hephaestus, god of fire. The gods gave her gifts of language, craftsmanship and emotion. From Zeus she received two gifts: the trait of curiosity and a heavy box screwed tightly shut -- never to be opened. But what treasure could never be seen by human eyes, and why was it in her care? Iseult Gillespie explores the mystery of Pandora’s box.
TED-Ed: The Myth of King Midas
In Greek mythology, King Midas is known as a rogue ruler whose antics bemused his people and irritated the Gods. Many know the classic story of Midas's golden touch, but the foolish king was also known for his unusual pair of ears. Iseult Gillespie shares the myth of King Midas.
TED-Ed: The Japanese Myth of the Trickster Raccoon
On the dusty roads of a small village, a traveling salesman was having difficulty selling his wares. As he wandered the outskirts of town in the hopes of finding some new customers, he heard a high-pitched yelp coming from the edge of the forest. Following the screams to their source, he discovered a trapped tanuki. Iseult Gillespie details the Japanese myth of the shape-shifting creature.
The myth of Cupid and Psyche - Brendan Pelsue
A timeless love story from ancient Rome.
TED-Ed: The Myth of Icarus and Daedalus
In mythological ancient Greece, Icarus flew above Crete on wings made from wax and feathers, defying the laws of man and nature. To witnesses on the ground, he looked like a god, and he felt like one too. But, in his society, the line that separated god from man was absolute, and the punishment for mortals who attempted to cross it was severe. Amy Adkins explains the myth of Icarus and Daedalus.
TED-Ed: The Five Major World Religions
It's perfectly human to grapple with questions, like ‘Where do we come from?’ and ‘How do I live a life of meaning?’ These existential questions are central to the five major world religions -- and that’s not all that connects these faiths. John Bellaimey explains the intertwined histories and cultures of Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
Is There a Reproducibility Crisis in Science Matt Anticole
Published scientific studies can motivate research, inspire products, and inform policy. However, recent studies that examined dozens of published pharmaceutical papers managed to replicate the results of less than 25% of them — and similar results have been found in other scientific disciplines. How do we combat this crisis of scientific irreproducibility? Matt Anticole investigates.
The Myth of Hercules 12 Labors in 8 Bits Alex Gendler
Hercules — son of Zeus and champion of humankind — stricken with a temporary curse of madness, has just committed the most unspeakable crime imaginable. Seeking to atone for the deaths of his family, Hercules must complete twelve impossible tasks that pit him against invincible monsters and unfathomable forces. Alex Gendler retells this epic series of adventures.
The Scientific Origins of the Minotaur Matt Kaplan
The myth of the Minotaur tells the story of an enraged beast forever wandering the corridors of a damp labyrinth, filled with a rage so intense that its deafening roar shakes the earth. But is this story just fiction, or an attempt of our early ancestors to make sense of the natural world? Matt Kaplan examines the myth for its scientific roots.
The Myth of Medusa Laura Aitken Burt
Medusa, transformed into a monstrous Gorgon by a wrathful Athena, sought refuge in a hidden cave. Time after time, would-be heroes journeyed to the cave to make their names by murdering Medusa— but fell to her gaze every time. Until another young man, Perseus, began his quest for glory. Laura Aitken-Burt shares the myth of Medusa and her infamous power to petrify.
The Amazonian Myth of the Goblins Revenge Nathan D Horowitz
Deep in the Amazon rainforest in the river Nea’ocoyá lived a school of particularly big and tasty fish. When the rains came and the water rose the fish appeared, and swam away as the waters fell. Villagers along the river followed them to a lagoon and set up camp. But their young shaman soon sensed they might not be completely alone. Nathan D. Horowitz details the Siekopai myth of the air goblins.
Mapping the World with Twitter Jer Thorp
Good morning, Twitter! Millions of tweets are sent everyday, and from these tweets, we can gather a lot of information about people’s lives: where they travel, when they wake up, and their opinions on pretty much everything. In this TEDYouth 2012 Talk, former New York Times data artist-in-residence Jer Thorp imagines what uses we can devise from this wealth of information.
TED-Ed: Area Studies Lessons
TED-Ed celebrates the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Discover hundreds of animated lessons, create customized lessons, and share your big ideas.
The Myth of Loki and the Master Builder Alex Gendler
Asgard, a realm of wonders, was where the Norse Gods made their home. There Odin’s great hall of Valhalla towered above the mountains and Bifrost, the rainbow bridge, anchored itself. Though their domain was magnificent, it stood undefended from the giants and trolls who sought to destroy them. But a stranger appeared and made the gods an offer. Alex Gendler details the myth of the master builder.
The Myth of the Sampo an Infinite Source of Fortune and Greed Hanna Ilona Harmavaara
After a skirmish at sea and long days of being battered by waves, Väinämöinen— a powerful bard as old as the world itself— washed up on the shores of distant Pohjola. A cunning witch nursed him back to health but demanded a reward for returning him home. Not content with mere gold or silver, the witch wanted what did not yet exist. Hanna-Ilona Härmävaara digs into the Finnish myth of the Sampo.
Is it Normal to Talk to Yourself
Being caught talking to yourself can feel embarrassing, and some people even stigmatize this behavior as a sign of mental instability. But decades of research show that talking to yourself is completely normal; most if not all of us engage in some form of self-talk every day. So why do we talk to ourselves? And does what we say matter? Dig into the psychological benefits of positive self-talk.
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.