TED Talks
Maybe you're already fortunate enough to know the glory of TED Talks.
For those who don't know, they're short 15-minute non-political speeches given by (usually charismatic) experts in order to make complex sets of ideas meaningful for everyday people. The talks are NOT supposed to be political, but a telling of what science knows about an issue.
There are thousands of TED Talks on all kinds of topics from science to human interest. Everyone's interests are accommodated. It doesn't take much looking to find a wide variety of entertaining, ENLIGHTENING gems.
This is how they describe themselves:
.
.TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world.
.
"TED: Ideas Worth Sharing"..
See the source of Ted Talks HERE.
See their policy against politics HERE.
See their policy upholding science HERE.
TIPS FOR BEST USE
- #1 Most important tip: Turn on the "captions" so you can read along from time to time. You'll never wonder if you mis-heard.
- When searching add "TED" as the first word of your regular search query. You'll get a variety of Talks on all aspects of that topic.
- For those you particularly like, bookmark them. Complex issues are best explored more than once. If you were entertained and got value the first time, likely that will double next time in a few weeks.
Viewing TEDs on YouTube has a number of benefits:
- On YT, the description provides a link to its official TED page for resources and transcript.
- On YT, the variety of similar or suggested results seems more productive than on TT. That may vary across topics.
- On YT, for what it's worth you can see comments from the public. However, it's the public so it's good and bad info.
First, a Few FUN Talks:
Note: These are not bullshit links. These were handpicked because they really are good. It's a variety because people like different things. Hope at least one of these piques your interest!
New York -- Before the City
More to dying than meets the eye Martha Atkins at TEDxSanAntonio 2013
I See Dead People: Dreams and Visions of the Dying | Dr. Christopher Kerr | TEDxBuffalo
The next manufacturing revolution is here | Olivier Scalabre
Is Time Travel, Especially Into the Past Possible? | Matt Szydagis | TEDxSchenectady
Wanted: A Science of UFOs | Alexander Wendt | TEDxColumbus
What animals are thinking and feeling, and why it should matter | Carl Safina | TEDxMidAtlantic
A Catastrophic Blackout is Coming - Here’s How We Can Stop It | Samuel Feinburg | TEDxBaylorSchool
How To Trick Your Brain Into Falling Asleep | Jim Donovan | TEDxYoungstown
More than funny | Michael Jr. | TEDxUniversityofNevada
TED also has highly entertaining (and surprisingly functional) guides:
The mysterious origins of life on Earth Luka Seamus Wright
Back to the Point of GOOD SCIENCE:
- Critical Thinking: Does it Matter? | Bart Millar | TEDxYouth@SAS
- Penny for Your Critical Thoughts? | Darcy Roland | TEDxNewport
- Why do we believe things that aren't true? | Philip Fernbach | TEDxMileHigh
POD-CASTS
For those who aren't familiar, podcasts are regular weekly audio-only shows. They come in all subjects, from sports and news to paranormal and true crime, as well as hobbyist and lifestyle shows. There are hundreds if not thousands of podcasts. They're generally free to find and use but most will try to talk you into a $5/month subscription to support the show. It's not mandatory but it does help offset their costs. (People often subscribe only to one or two uber-favorites, even if they listen to several titles. Don't feel pressured but do support the work of those you like best.)
Why would you listen to an audio-only program instead of a video? Well, for the same reason that people read books and listen to the radio, and partake in TheGreatCourses and MasterClass. When you intently listen it fills up your whole imagination, like a book but without the hassle of reading. It's best to listen while you do other things with your hands. Your mind gets tickled while your work gets DONE fast.
THE BEST WAY TO GET THESE IS THROUGH YOUR FAVORITE POD-CATCHER, like Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or an independent podcatcher.
Here is a handy article to explain and show you some options.
The links below are best for seeing a list of previous episodes. (Use a podcatcher or service to snag your library.)
If you have the opportunity to listen to something while you work, exercise, clean, or commute, check out some of these great podcasts. Not only are these highly ENTERTAINING but you'll learn quite a bit.
PERSONAL NOTE: If I hadn't been in a position to drive across the country and have lots of time to listen to these, I might never have discovered these gems. For me, it's difficult to listen at home so I would have missed out on these, never even realizing the gems I missed. I am so much smarter (pause for laughter) for listening to these guys. It's NOT that I parrot their ideology. They each explain interesting facts about the world and about us as human beings. I find that stuff really interesting. I really hope you'll find a way to incorporate a couple hours of these into your weekly schedule. Trust me, after a little while you will be SO glad you did. Plus when you listen while you work, exercise, clean, or commute and the time will fly!
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Running for 15 years, the SGU and their panel feel like familiar old friends. Hanging out with these guys for an hour a week is kind of like hanging out with your college buddies on a Saturday afternoon. Everyone has an interesting take on the week's science news and hot topics at the intersection of science and culture. Special segments like "what's the word" and "forgotten superheros of science" keep things interesting. Subjects regularly covered are advances in astronomy, medicine, and environmental science. At the end of each weekly show are a couple of fun segments, "who's that noisy" and "science or fiction." The latter is a game where the leader (and oldest brother) Dr. Novella reads out three interesting "news" blurbs, but one of them is false (fiction). The rest of the panel has to figure out and guess the false one. They are also frequent science convention participants.
Logically Critical
THIS guy. This is the single best podcast series, and I say that because it's a finite number of shows each on a particular topic. There are only about 85 episodes in all. But each one will have you low-key laughing your ass off while he points out how messed up human beings are when it comes to logic and common sense. After several episodes in, you might find a pleasant Pavlovian reaction to the catchy theme music, because you know you're about to enjoy the shit out of the next hour of listening.
You Are Not So Smart
Another GREAT ongoing series, like SGU, but completely different like night and day. The narrator sounds like a cool dude, with an oddly soothing voice and cadence. It's a bit clinical compared to SGU. On YANSS, usually one topic is covered (like Logically Critical) and oh wow it's a deep dive. As much as I love this one, don't listen when you're sleepy. You need a lot of brain power to keep up with the fine details as the host, David McRaney, takes us on a voyage to the root of why people act the way they do.
This American Life
This isn't a science podcast, but it's a great series to bring a bit of humanity back into the discussion. The long-running series is like the TED Talks of personal life. Episodes are short but absolutely enthralling.
.
Know of a good TED Talk or Podcast? Add your reply below!
The end.
NOTE: The material in the "APP's Answers" posts sometimes seem elementary and simplistic yet at the same time long and drawn-out. Yes. It's the beginning foundation for the topic. If you already know about these things, by all means add your suggestions to the appropriate forums. Or just scroll on. There can be a steep learning curve for those not already familiar with these things. Our answers are a starting point.
If you're already fairly knowledgeable, still scan each section and SKIP down to the RESOURCES listed. Readers don't have to take our opinion. Each part has good external sources/links, so you can get more in-depth and intricate answers from real experts.
QUICK LINKS - Good Science
MAIN / Good Science
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 1. Short Answer
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 2. Critical Thinking
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 3. CT - Next Level
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 4. Vetting Sources
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 5. "Do Your Own Research"
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 6. The Scientific Method
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 7. Replication - Or it Didn't Happen
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 8. Peer Review Can Be Brutal
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 9. Methodology is Key
MAIN / What's Your Opinion?
Home
FEEDBACK & DISCUSSION
Share your knowledge. Don't be shy if you have a quality contribution. (But please be polite, and proofread.)
For comment about the post you're reading, just reply to it. OR - To add a new post of your own, use the "NEW TOPIC" button located at the bottom of every forum's list of discussions. The button has BRIGHT PURPLE text. (Generally hit the back button from any post you're reading, to get back to the main forum for that subject.)
If you have a nice chunk of GOOD INFORMATION, please choose to add a new post rather than a comment-reply. That way you'll generate comments of your own.
TIPS FOR POLLS: Polls appear on some topics, if the post's author has created one. They're open to ALL registered users. All APP-written polls are set to be ongoing and allow you to change your vote later. Feel free to comment your suggestions for improving any poll, ours or others', just be kind and helpful.
CREATING A POLL: When writing any post (not comment replies) the option for "Poll Creation" is in a tab below the "submit" button. You can always edit the poll later via editing the post itself and navigating back to that tab, but that sort of defeats the purpose if you change it after people have answered, right? To start, try to think through the answers and provide an option for all likely points-of-view. Lastly, the poll will display below the post after it's published. In "preview" mode it shows on top.
.
.