Over the past number of years I have been listening to TED talks. The first of which was Sir Ken Robinson’s talk back in 2006. He questioned ‘Do schools kill creativity?’ this made me consider my own education and whether or not it was a nurturing environment or a system that undermined creativity. I am still on the fence with that one.
In the intervening years many world events have taken place that have shaped the landscape and fabric of our world. I have encountered many incredible stories navigating the width and breadth of humanity. Here are some of my favourites. They span the worlds of design, neuroscience, classical music always celebrating the gift of the human imagination.
1. BENJAMIN ZANDER: The transformative power of classical music
Awakening possibilities in everyone, Benjamin Zander will make you laugh and cry in this 20 minute piece. His tremendous energy and fervent charisma catapults you on a journey of awakening, understanding and will move you to tears.
2. KEN ROBINSON: Do schools kill creativity?
Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we’re educated and how to cultivate creativity within the educational system.
3. THOMAS HEATHERWICK: Building the seed Cathedral
The amazing Thomas Heatherwick who designed the new Routemaster buses and the Olympic cauldron at the 2012 London Olympics gives a TED talk on his studios approach to designing a Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo.
4. CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE: The danger of the single story
Our lives and our cultures are complex web of many interwoven stories. Chimamanda Adichie talks about the danger of hearing only a single story about another person, country. The single story creates stereotypes which leaves a incomplete appreciation of the subject matter.
5. RORY SUTHERLAND: Sweat the small stuff
Do big problems require big solutions? Rory Sutherland believes they don’t. He uses some very funny behavioral economics examples to support his talk.
6. ELIZABETH GILBERT: Your elusive creative genius
Elizabeth Gilbert muses eloquently and confidently about creativity and success. The author of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ talks about the origins of the creative process and her own process.
7. STEVEN PINKER: Is the world getting better or worse? A look at the numbers
Steven Pinker looks at the world through the lens of numbers on a historical and Global scale to see if life as we know it is getting better or worse.
8. BRENE BROWN: The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown talks about what can happen when people confront their shame face on.
9. SIMON SINEK: How great leaders inspire action
Simon Sinek describes how great leaders inspire action. He explains how the ‘Golden Circle’ works.
10. DANIEL KAHNEMAN: The experiencing self vs. the remembering self
Daniel Kahneman won the Nobel prize in Economics. His work explores how we make decisions about risk. His book ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ looks into the thought processes between System 1 and System 2.
