TED Talks Daily

Journalist Carole Cadwalladr, known for her deep dive into the influence of social media on democracy, addresses the unsettling role of Facebook in the Brexit referendum. She explores how targeted misinformation swayed critical votes and critiques the tech giants for their lack of accountability. Cadwalladr discusses chilling parallels between Brexit and the US elections, raising questions about the integrity of democratic processes in the digital age. Her insights challenge listeners to reconsider the future of free and fair elections in a media-saturated world.

Kakenya Ntaiya, an inspiring educator and founder of the Kakenya Center for Excellence, shares her journey to empower girls and transform her Kenyan community. She discusses how education can break the cycle of harmful traditions like female genital mutilation and child marriage. Ntaiya introduces us to courageous students who defy societal expectations, emphasizing that with community support, girls can achieve their dreams. This powerful dialogue stresses that when you empower a girl, you truly transform a community.

Rana Abdelhamid, an organizer and entrepreneur behind the global network Malikah, shares her inspiring journey of empowering women through self-defense. She recounts her beginnings at 16, teaching self-defense in her community. Key topics include embracing identity, confronting hate, and the transformative power of community support. Abdelhamid emphasizes the importance of resilience and connection among women in building movements for safety and solidarity, urging collective action against violence.

Kashfia Rahman, a Harvard freshman and Intel International Science and Engineering Fair winner, dives into teenage risk-taking behaviors. She conducted groundbreaking research on how risk influences the developing teenage brain. Discover how intelligent teens often make reckless choices due to natural phases of brain development. Rahman explains the role of habituation in risk-taking and shares her personal insights into how repeated exposure to risks alters emotions like fear and guilt, reshaping how we understand adolescent decision-making.

Keith Kirkland, a designer and engineer, is pioneering wearable tech that uses touch to enhance navigation for the visually impaired. He discusses the concept of a new 'haptic language' to convey essential navigation cues like 'stop' or 'go' through vibrations. Kirkland shares insights from developing Wayband, a device that transforms tactile feedback into intuitive guidance, making everyday navigation more accessible. His vision explores the future of touch interfaces and their potential to revolutionize communication in technology.

Eve Pearlman, a veteran reporter and the mind behind 'dialogue journalism,' shares her mission to foster conversations across deep divides. She discusses her initiative that brought together 25 liberals from California and 25 conservatives from Alabama for courageous dialogues. Pearlman emphasizes the significance of empathy and active listening in overcoming stereotypes and misunderstandings. These respectful conversations, she argues, are essential to healing our democracy and building connections despite differing viewpoints.

Rosalind Picard, a pioneering AI researcher, discusses her groundbreaking work on a smartwatch that can detect seizures before they occur. She highlights how this innovative device not only alerts users but also connects them to caregivers in critical moments. The conversation sheds light on the tragic issue of sudden death in epilepsy and the empowering potential of technology to save lives. Picard also shares insights into the physiological signals that inform seizure detection and the broader implications for managing epilepsy effectively.

Muhammed Idris, a TED Resident, is at the forefront of developing Atar, an AI-powered virtual advocate designed to assist refugees with resettlement. He discusses the staggering statistic that every minute, 20 people are displaced due to various crises. Idris shares personal insights about the challenges refugees face and underscores the transformative power of technology in creating tailored self-help resources. He emphasizes that restoring dignity and rights is vital, as it empowers refugees towards autonomy, offering a path to a better future.

Diane Wolk-Rogers, a history teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, shares her harrowing experience during the 2018 school shooting. She passionately discusses three actionable steps for Americans to combat gun violence, urging everyone to join the student-led movement for change. Reflecting on the emotional toll of tragedy, she emphasizes the need for community support and open dialogue about safety in schools. Wolk-Rogers highlights the importance of accountability and encourages listeners to engage in meaningful actions for reform.

Kimberly Noble, a leading neuroscientist and pediatrician, discusses her groundbreaking research on how family income influences childhood brain development. She reveals insightful findings from a study analyzing brain scans of over 1,000 children, showcasing the stark cognitive impacts of poverty. Noble argues that simple cash transfers to families can significantly enhance children's emotional and cognitive growth, challenging the notion that a child's brain is fixed by their circumstances. With optimism, she emphasizes that improving economic conditions can unlock potential in young minds.