Ted.com is a collection of entirely free informative talks by experts in various fields from the organisation's annual conference, who are are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).
As they put it:
"This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted."
Since finding the site for myself I've become an avid viewer and I'd like to share with you a few of the presentations that have piqued my interest.
This is an intriguing vision of the future of medicine, as presented by Gregory Stock and details the predicted trends regarding our own controlled evolution.
Ray Kurzweil's presentation serves as an introduction to the Law of Accelerating Returns, the law which governs how our technology advances and, as a result, how we will begin to evolve. For more information, you can buy his book, or visit this free, compact, printable version.
Juan Enriquez is next with his talk about the future beyond the current financial crisis, mindboggling science and the arrival of Homo evolutis.
Thomas Barnett offers an interesting talk on the future of war (primarily from the perspective of the United States)by splitting their military force in two. It's a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. It's worth a look.
Physicist and surfer Garrett Lisi presents a controversial new model of the universe that -- just maybe -- answers all the big questions. If nothing else, it's the most beautiful 8-dimensional model of elementary particles and forces you've ever seen. It's a little slow in the beginning but well worth sticking with. Oh, and it gets pretty mind blowing with the introduction of eight-dimensional thinking...so don't watch it stoned.
Michael Milken talks about using your own particular set of skills to make real change in the world. In his case, the energetic mind that once created exotic bonds is now driving the "Manhattan Project of cancer" -- with lifesaving results.
This is an intriguing vision of the future of medicine, as presented by Gregory Stock and details the predicted trends regarding our own controlled evolution.
Ray Kurzweil's presentation serves as an introduction to the Law of Accelerating Returns, the law which governs how our technology advances and, as a result, how we will begin to evolve. For more information, you can buy his book, or visit this free, compact, printable version.
Juan Enriquez is next with his talk about the future beyond the current financial crisis, mindboggling science and the arrival of Homo evolutis.
Thomas Barnett offers an interesting talk on the future of war (primarily from the perspective of the United States)by splitting their military force in two. It's a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. It's worth a look.
Physicist and surfer Garrett Lisi presents a controversial new model of the universe that -- just maybe -- answers all the big questions. If nothing else, it's the most beautiful 8-dimensional model of elementary particles and forces you've ever seen. It's a little slow in the beginning but well worth sticking with. Oh, and it gets pretty mind blowing with the introduction of eight-dimensional thinking...so don't watch it stoned.
Michael Milken talks about using your own particular set of skills to make real change in the world. In his case, the energetic mind that once created exotic bonds is now driving the "Manhattan Project of cancer" -- with lifesaving results.
