Reading On A Star

Hello, bookworms! Today’s post is about…Ted Talks! TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. Its purpose is to spread ideas, teach, inspire and motivate its audience. Here are some ted talks that are perfect for everyone, students, and of course writers!

For everyone! :

1. Inside the mind of a master procrastinator – https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator – Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn’t make sense, but he’s never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes us on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window — and encourages us to think harder about what we’re really procrastinating on, before we run out of time.
2. To This Day…for the bullied and the beautiful – https://www.ted.com/talks/shane_koyczan_to_this_day_for_the_bullied_and_beautiful –By turn hilarious and haunting, poet Shane Koyczan puts his finger on the pulse of what it’s like to be young and … different. “To This Day,” his spoken-word poem about bullying, captivated millions as a viral video (created, crowd-source style, by 80 animators). Here, he gives a glorious, live reprise with backstory and violin accompaniment by Hannah Epperson.
3. The power of introverts – https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts – In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.
4. The nerds guide to learning everything online – https://www.ted.com/talks/john_green_the_nerd_s_guide_to_learning_everything_online – Some of us learn best in the classroom, and some of us … well, we don’t. But we still love to learn — we just need to find the way that works for us. In this charming, personal talk, author John Green shares the community of learning that he found in online video.
5. Your body language may shape who you are – https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are – Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can boost feelings of confidence, and might have an impact on our chances for success.
6. Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model. – https://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model – Cameron Russell admits she won “a genetic lottery”: she’s tall, pretty and an underwear model. But don’t judge her by her looks. In this fearless talk, she takes a wry look at the industry that had her looking highly seductive at barely 16 years old.
7. How to speak so that people want to listen – https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_how_to_speak_so_that_people_want_to_listen – Have you ever felt like you’re talking, but nobody is listening? Here’s Julian Treasure to help. In this useful talk, the sound expert demonstrates the how-to’s of powerful speaking — from some handy vocal exercises to tips on how to speak with empathy. A talk that might help the world sound more beautiful.

For students :

1. Everyday Leadership – https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership- We have all changed someone’s life — usually without even realizing it. In this funny talk, Drew Dudley calls on all of us to celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other’s lives.
2. High School Stories – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ayTA-tJr3A –Things I wish I had known when I was in High School
3. What adults can learn from kids – https://www.ted.com/talks/adora_svitak/up-next – Child prodigy Adora Svitak says the world needs “childish” thinking: bold ideas, wild creativity and especially optimism. Kids’ big dreams deserve high expectations, she says, starting with grownups’ willingness to learn from children as much as to teach.
4. How we’ll find life on other planets – https://www.ted.com/talks/aomawa_shields_how_we_ll_find_life_on_other_planets/details – Astronomer Aomawa Shields searches for clues that life might exist elsewhere in the universe by examining the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. When she isn’t exploring the heavens, the classically trained actor (and TED Fellow) looks for ways to engage young women in the sciences using theater, writing and visual art. “Maybe one day they’ll join the ranks of astronomers who are full of contradictions,” she says, “and use their backgrounds to discover, once and for all, that we are truly not alone in the universe.”

For writers :

1. The danger of a single story – https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story/up-next?language=en – Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
2. How books can open your mind – https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_bu_how_books_can_open_your_mind/up-next?language=en – What happens when a dream you’ve held since childhood … doesn’t come true? As Lisa Bu adjusted to a new life in the United States, she turned to books to expand her mind and create a new path for herself. She shares her unique approach to reading in this lovely, personal talk about the magic of books.
3. The politics of fiction – https://www.ted.com/talks/elif_shafak_the_politics_of_fiction?language=en – Listening to stories widens the imagination; telling them lets us leap over cultural walls, embrace different experiences, feel what others feel. Elif Shafak builds on this simple idea to argue that fiction can overcome identity politics.
4. The technology of storytelling – https://www.ted.com/talks/joe_sabia_the_technology_of_storytelling?language=en – iPad storyteller Joe Sabia introduces us to Lothar Meggendorfer, who created a bold technology for storytelling: the pop-up book. Sabia shows how new technology has always helped us tell our own stories, from the walls of caves to his own onstage iPad.