TED Talks Daily An ode to living on Earth | Oliver Jeffers (re-release)
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Dec 31, 2025 
Visual artist Oliver Jeffers, renowned for his illustrated storytelling, shares a heartfelt letter to his son about being human in the 21st century. He beautifully navigates the challenges of explaining Earth’s wonders and complexities. Jeffers emphasizes our planet's delicate diversity and the fleeting nature of time, highlighting the importance of perspective. With engaging tales about human stories and our relationship with nature, he calls for gratitude and kindness, reminding us of our shared connections and the beauty of existence.
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Letter To His Newborn
- Oliver Jeffers narrates explaining the world to his newborn son and turned his observations into a book.
- He used walking tours and notes to capture the absurd, ordinary details of life on Earth.
Use Your Time Well
- Use your time well because it moves quickly and will be gone before you know it.
- Jeffers warns that life can feel slow or fast, so treat time as precious.
Habitability Is Shockingly Limited
- Jeffers emphasizes that only a thin fraction of Earth's surface is habitable and contains all human life.
- Viewing Earth as one system reveals how limited our room for maneuvering really is.