Technology Entertainment and Design (TED) is a non profit organization, which started in 1984, that works to spread ideas and innovations through short talks from experts on a variety of topics. Here is a collection of TED talks that students might enjoy.

“I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much” – Stella Young

Stella Young is a comedian and journalist who has spent her whole life in a wheelchair due to Osteogenesis Imperfecta. In her TED talk, Young analyzes society’s tendency of stereotyping disabled people as inspirations rather than actual human beings.

“The Art of Misdirection” – Apollo Robbins

Apollo Robbins studies human behavior in an unconventional way: picking pockets. He is considered one of the greatest pickpockets in the world due to his mastery of misdirection. Robbins points out the weaknesses and quirks in human perception.

“What Does my Headscarf Mean to You” – Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Yassmin Abdel-Magied is a mechanical engineer and social activist who challenges us to look past initial perceptions regarding race and gender. She advocates for the empowerment of minorities. In her talk, Abdel-Magied attempts to persuade the audience to not judge a book by its cover.

“I am the Son of a Terrorist, Here is How I Chose Peace” – Zak Ebrahim

Although he grew up in an environment based on violence, Zak Ebrahim chose to abandon his father, El Sayyid Nosair: a terrorist who helped plan the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and follow his own path of peace. Ebrahim is the author of “Son of a Terrorist” and hopes his story will inspire others to believe in nonviolence.    

“If I Should Have a Daughter…” – Sarah Kay

Sarah Kay is is a spoken word poet and author of “No Matter the Wreckage.” She talks about her transformation from a young girl listening to poetry at New York’s Bowery Poetry Club to a woman who inspires and instigates creativity and self expressionism in kids. Kay opens and ends her talk with two of her poems, “B” and “Hiroshima.”

“The Enchanting Music of Sign Language” – Christine Sun Kim

Christine Sun Kim is an artist who was born deaf but still managed to make music a large part of her life. She believes that music can be experienced as an idea rather than only through sound. Kim performs her whole talk in sign language and invites us to visualize the similarities between music and the American Sign Language.

“Strange Answers to a Psychopath Test” – Jon Ronson

One out of every 100 people are a psychopath. But what defines a psychopath? Jon Ronson, a filmmaker and writer, talks about the difference between the psychotic and the sane, and the science behind human behavior.  

“Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me, I’m a Model” – Cameron Russell

Victoria Secret and Chanel model, Cameron Russell, has been modeling since she was a teenager. In her TED talk, she uses her position to dissect and bring attention to society’s importance on appearance.