Ignite your curiosity with these TED Talks certain to motivate the mind, reshape perspectives and inspire ideas worth spreading.

Curious about the world? These fascinating talks will encourage you to seek and experience the endless delight and intrigue it offers.

Ready to ignite a surge of curiosity at home? Discover an entire world of science around you with these fun, engaging talks.

Don't second-guess what "distracts" you, says actor-producer Yara Shahidi; that's your curiosity coming through. The star of hit shows like "black-ish" and "grown-ish" tells how she learned to spot clues to her own future — and how you can, too.

From a scientist’s perspective, life is one big experiment. These talks demonstrate that science doesn’t just happen -- it takes determination, unwavering curiosity and a big leap into the unknown.

A selection of fascinating TED Talks for when you need to feed your intellectual curiosity (in 10 minutes or less).

Seemingly pointless scientific research can lead to extraordinary discoveries, says physicist Suzie Sheehy. In a talk and tech demo, she shows how many of our modern technologies are tied to centuries-old, curiosity-driven experiments -- and makes the case for investing in more to arrive at a deeper understanding of the world.

We all want to know if we're normal -- do I have enough friends? Should it take me this long to get over my ex? Should I move or stay where I am? Endlessly curious data journalist Mona Chalabi needs to know, and she's ready to dive into the numbers to get some answers. But studies and spreadsheets don't tell the whole story, so she's consulting ...

Curious how stuff works? Do a hands-on experiment at home, says physicist Nadya Mason. She shows how you can demystify the world around you by tapping into your scientific curiosity -- and performs a few onstage experiments of her own using magnets, dollar bills, dry ice and more.

NASA engineer Bobak Ferdowsi helped the Curiosity rover land on Mars -- and he's curated these talks that deepen our understanding of the world around us.

Satisfy your curiosity on a cellular level with these talks that highlight the ways biology can be molded in the hands of the average, yet curious citizen.

Stressed about what you want to study? Let these guide you down a path of inspiration and passion in fields from mathematics to space archaeology.

What job is best for a young man who's been a tennis ace, a cross-country traveler, a chemistry nerd and an NFL draftee? How about ... astronaut? Leland Melvin tells the story of the challenges he's accepted and the opportunities he's seized -- and how they led him to the International Space Station and a whole new perspective of life on earth. ...

The TED Interview How to fight hatred with curiosity with Daryl Davis April 18, 2024 [00:00:00] Chris Anderson: Hello, there. I'm Chris Anderson. Welcome to The TED Interview. As you may know, this season we're expanding on an idea that seems to offer a rich response to the many troubles we're currently facing. That idea is generosity. And, mor...

"How can students get excited about science if they don't have access to the resources?" asks science education promoter Daniel Sherling. Answer? Bring the fun science to schools — with a mobile science lab meant to encourage engaged, dynamic learning! Sherling explains how he, his team and a bright yellow shipping container tour North America w...

Science is a learning process that involves experimentation, failure and revision -- and the science of medicine is no exception. Cancer researcher Kevin B. Jones faces the deep unknowns about surgery and medical care with a simple answer: honesty. In a thoughtful talk about the nature of knowledge, Jones shows how science is at its best when sc...

In tough economic times, our exploratory science programs -- from space probes to the LHC -- are first to suffer budget cuts. Brian Cox explains how curiosity-driven science pays for itself, powering innovation and a profound appreciation of our existence.

Biochemist Kary Mullis talks about the basis of modern science: the experiment. Sharing tales from the 17th century and from his own backyard-rocketry days, Mullis celebrates the curiosity, inspiration and rigor of good science in all its forms.

In this perspective-shifting talk, Danny Hillis prompts us to approach global issues like climate change with creative scientific solutions. Taking a stand for solar geoengineering, he looks at controversial solutions with open-minded curiosity.

Taryn Simon exhibits her startling take on photography -- to reveal worlds and people we would never see otherwise. She shares two projects: one documents otherworldly locations typically kept secret from the public, the other involves haunting portraits of men convicted for crimes they did not commit.

It took a life-threatening condition to jolt chemistry teacher Ramsey Musallam out of ten years of "pseudo-teaching" to understand the true role of the educator: to cultivate curiosity. In a fun and personal talk, Musallam gives 3 rules to spark imagination and learning, and get students excited about how the world works.

Dear science, where would we be without you? Enjoy these enthralling talks dedicated to the fun, funky and fascinating scientific world.

One third of methane emissions in the US is caused by natural gas leaks from homes and businesses. Scientist Joe von Fischer has made it his mission to hunt down natural gas leaks in his community using cutting-edge methane analyzers attached to Google Street View cars. In this punchy, illuminating talk, von Fischer shares how his revolutionary ...

For her social art project, Seize Your Moments, artist Janne Willems approaches strangers and asks them to draw beautiful moments from the past week on postcards. So far, Willems has collected nearly 11,000 drawings from 30 different countries. In her endearing talk, Willems shares a moving selection of intensely personal treasured moments from ...

Are our thoughts different in the dark? Archaeologist Holley Moyes studies the ritual cave sites of the ancient Mayans and how darkness influences mythology and human thinking. In this evocative talk, she describes how humans have always sought darkness to transcend the ordinary and "find the divine within ourselves."

Many of life's important conversations are the ones immersed in conflict - the ones we tend to avoid. In these situations, the most important thing is to listen and be curious, says hostage negotiator Karleen Savage. She draws from professional and personal experience to share actionable tips for effectively resolving conflict—even if it seems l...

A technology and publishing enthusiast, Dale Dougherty founded MAKE magazine and created the world's largest DIY festival, Maker Faire.

Feeling like the world is becoming less friendly? Social theorist Jonathan Zittrain begs to differ. The Internet, he suggests, is made up of millions of disinterested acts of kindness, curiosity and trust.

Strengthen your skills with these informative talks on how to get the most out of your research.

Kirsty Duncan works for all Canadians to nurture science in Canada and encourages people of all ages to have inquisitive minds.