TED Talks Daily

Loving where you live means caring for the people who make that place home, says cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib. He invites poet Sarah Kay and Chris Duffy, host of the podcast “How to Be a Better Human,” to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to show off what makes it so special. From sneaker shops and record stores to public parks, Abdurraqib talks about how he builds community — and how anyone can learn to love their hometownThis episode is part of a series of bonus videos from "How to Be a Better Human." You can watch the extended video companion on the TED YouTube Channel and the extended interview on the TED Audio Collective YouTube Channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Howard, a sustainability leader and former Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA, discusses the friction between capitalism and climate action. He outlines four hard truths that hinder businesses from achieving climate goals. Howard argues that current markets favor short-term profits over sustainable practices, and he emphasizes the need for innovative policies, internal carbon pricing, and investment in green technologies. He illustrates his points with real-world examples like IKEA’s LED initiative and emerging markets' innovative solutions.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Chi, an impact investor and former Google/X innovator, challenges the notion that economic growth harms ecological health. He highlights groundbreaking approaches harnessing AI and robotics to restore ecosystems. Tom reveals how drones can plant 100,000 mangroves a day and how advanced recycling can lower mining needs. He emphasizes that with innovative practices like regenerative agriculture and ecological mining, technology can work symbiotically with nature, promoting both industry and environmental restoration.

In this engaging discussion, Harini Bhat, a scientist and storyteller known for her YouTube channel 'Today I Learned Science', explores the joy of embracing uncertainty. She critiques the culture of instant answers and highlights how curiosity fuels her channel's success. Harini shares fascinating stories, like a glassified human brain from Vesuvius and groundbreaking research on embryo development. Her call to action encourages listeners to cultivate their curiosity and approach learning with childlike wonder.

Jennifer Crank, a world champion dog agility competitor, showcases her border collie, High Five, to illustrate the art of interspecies communication. She demonstrates how refined signals and trust between a handler and dog can lead to impressive agility performances. Crank shares insights on effective communication techniques that resonate with both dogs and humans, highlighting the importance of body language and clarity in conveying messages. Her engaging onstage demonstration emphasizes that the key to success lies in understanding your teammate, whether furry or human.

In this engaging talk, Paul Tazewell, an Oscar-winning costume designer celebrated for his work on Wicked, Hamilton, and West Side Story, delves into the art of storytelling through clothing. He reveals how costume design creates a subconscious language that influences our perceptions of heroes and villains. Tazewell discusses his innovative choices in reimagining stereotypes, using color and texture to elevate cultural narratives, and emphasizes the importance of design in shaping identity and societal biases.

Tasso Azevedo, a land reformer and leader of the MapBiomas initiative, reveals groundbreaking methods to combat deforestation using satellite imagery and machine learning. He discusses the staggering pace of tree loss in the Amazon and how his team transforms raw data into actionable maps that hold deforesters accountable. Azevedo highlights the significant financial repercussions for illegal activity, including a $1.5 billion financing cut to flagged farms, and shares impressive results like a 54% reduction in deforestation over two years. Tune in to discover how innovative mapping could save our forests.

Climate scientist Kate Marvel explores the emotional aspects of climate change in her conversation with host Elise Hu. She emphasizes the importance of feelings—like wonder, anger, and hope—over mere data in motivating action. Kate argues that climate change isn't just a scientific challenge; it's deeply human. She also discusses how personal experiences, like motherhood, shape her perspective and stresses that even small actions matter in the fight against climate change. Ultimately, she inspires listeners to blend emotion with action for a thriving future.

In this engaging conversation, Advait Sarkar, an AI and design researcher at Microsoft, challenges the notion of AI as a mere assistant. He highlights how outsourcing our reasoning to AI diminishes critical thinking and creativity. Advait advocates for AI as a tool that promotes engagement and deepens thought, featuring a prototype that combines human input with AI-generated prompts. He underscores the importance of preserving human cognition, arguing that even as AI advances, our unique thinking abilities empower us and enrich our lives.

Francesca Hogi, a love coach and dating expert, redefines flirting as a genuine means of human connection. She highlights how flirting can make others feel seen and special, moving beyond its negative stigma. With insights from her extensive experience, she shares that flirting isn't just for extroverts and offers introverts an edge by emphasizing authenticity. Francesca also discusses the importance of playfulness, presence, and attentive listening, providing practical tips on compliments and imaginative questions to deepen connections.