TED talks are great because they are easily accessible and cover a wide variety of topics. No matter what your interests are, you can always find something worth watching. If you’re not familiar with TED talks, then let’s look at some of the talks that you should definitely see! These are a few of my favorites!
TED talks cover a variety of topics so watch Jane McGonigal openly discuss how she battled depression in this talk: ted.com. To beat the disease, she created a video game. She walks you through how games can lengthen your life and help with mental health. I love this video because it’s creative, unique, and inspiring. She raises valid points about connection that you should definitely check out!
Why do I like this talk so much? Not because I’m learning Chinese or because I have an interest to. Rather, ShaoLan offers a fun, one-of-a-kind way to look at learning a foreign language. It’s not textbooks and homework but interactive. If you’re stuck on how to learn a foreign language, I suggest watching this video at ted.com to break free of the barriers you may have subconsciously constructed.
“The Power of Vulnerability” which you can view at ted.com, was the first TED talk that I ever saw and it got me hooked immediately! Brené Brown, a ‘researcher storyteller’ as she identifies, discusses how vulnerability is the hinge of human emotion. It opens the doorways to both positive emotions, such as happiness and contentment, and negative ones like anguish and fear. What I love about this talk is how authentic Brown is. I felt connected to her and that allowed me to listen more attentively to what she had to offer.
We all experience stress. It’s inevitable. But hearing McGonigal’s talk on “How To Make Stress Your Friend” might just lengthen you life. She takes research done at Harvard University and makes it understandable for people like me, sitting behind their computer screen, as to what I can do. Once you’ve seen this one, you’re bound to be sharing it to your friends and family to change their approach to stress as well. You can find it at ted.com.
Poet Shane Koyczan is hilarious and engaging as he address the real-life issue of bullying. It’s a powerful talk because of not only his talented way with words but also the graphics that accompany his poem “To This Day.” I love when he talks about wanting a “registered retirement savings plan that would keep me in candy long enough to make old age sweet,” because it created such a strong image for me. Whether or not you’ve experienced bullying, Koyczan’s words hit a cord with what it means to be human. This is a must-see, and you can see it here: ted.com!
Comedian Julia Sweeney’s brief talk on “The Talk,” available at ted.com, is well-worth the watch. After her eight-year-old daughter comes home asking about frog reproduction from her schoolwork, the conversation spirals quickly. Guided by the good advice of “only answer whatever question your child asks," Sweeney tries her best but like most parents, gets caught up and frazzled with each additional question. Her humor gets me every time.
What happens inside the borders of North Korea is a mystery to most. Hyeonseo Lee courageously shares her story of how she escaped from her homeland. It shocks me to learn about how North Koreans are viewed and handled in China. Even more, hearing how she helped her family shows her strong connection to them. If you are looking for a video to inspire you, you should watch this one at ted.com!
TED talks are great all-around! These are a few of my favorites, but I know there are many I have yet to see. While I was writing this, I found myself watching more videos, eager to see others. What are some of your favorite TED talks?