TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler: What "Machiavellian" really means
From Shakespeare's plays to modern TV dramas, the unscrupulous schemer for whom the ends always justify the means has become a familiar character type we love to hate. For centuries, we've had a single word to describe such characters:...
TED Talks
TED: The Chinese zodiac, explained | ShaoLan
A quarter of the world's population cares a lot about the Chinese zodiac. even if you don't believe in it, you'd be wise to know how it works, says technologist and entrepreneur ShaoLan Hseuh. In this fun, informative talk, ShaoLan...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: What do all languages have in common? | Cameron Morin
Language is endlessly variable. Each of us can come up with an infinite number of sentences in our native language, and we're able to do so from an early age— almost as soon as we start to communicate in sentences. How is this possible?...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The first and last king of Haiti | Marlene Daut
The royal couple of Haiti rode into their coronation to thunderous applause. After receiving his ornate crown, Henry Christophe ascended his throne, towering 20 meters in the air. But little did the cheering onlookers know that the first...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Who was the world's first author? - Soraya Field Fiorio
4,300 years ago in ancient Sumer, the most powerful person in the city of Ur was banished to wander the vast desert. Her name was Enheduanna, and by the time of her exile, she had written forty-two hymns and three epic poems— and Sumer...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Iseult Gillespie: Why is this painting so shocking?
In 1937, in one of the worst civilian casualties of the Spanish Civil War, Fascist forces bombed the village of Guernica in Northern Spain. For Pablo Picasso, the tragedy sparked a frenzied period of work in which he produced a massive...
TED Talks
David Peterson: Why language is humanity's greatest invention
Civilization rests upon the existence of language, says language creator David Peterson. In a talk that's equal parts passionate and hilarious, he shows how studying, preserving and inventing new languages helps us understand our...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The hidden treasures of Timbuktu | Elizabeth Cox
On the edge of the vast Sahara desert, citizens snuck out of the city of Timbuktu and took to the wilderness. They buried chests in the desert sand, hid them in caves, and sealed them in secret rooms. Inside these chests was a treasure...
TED-Ed
A day in the life of an ancient Babylonian business mogul | Soraya Field Fiorio
It's 1762 BCE. As dawn breaks in the Babylonian city of Sippar, Beltani— a priestess and businesswoman— receives an urgent visit from her brother. He makes a troubling accusation: her tavern keeper has been undermining the business...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: A day in the life of an ancient Greek architect | Mark Robinson
The year is 432 BCE. As dawn breaks over Athens, Pheidias is already late for work. He is the chief builder for the Parthenon — Athens' newest and largest temple— and when he arrives onsite, city officials accuse him of embezzling gold...
TED Talks
TED: Poetry, music and identity | Jorge Drexler
One night in 2002, a friend gave Jorge Drexler the chorus to a song and challenged him to write the rest of it using a complex, poetic form known as the "Decima." In this fascinating talk, Drexler examines the blended nature of identity,...
TED Talks
TED: The powerful stories that shaped Africa | Gus Casely-Hayford
In the vast sweep of history, even an empire can be forgotten. In this wide-ranging talk, Gus Casely-Hayford shares origin stories of Africa that are too often unwritten, lost, unshared. Travel to Great Zimbabwe, the ancient city whose...
TED Talks
TED: 4 reasons to learn a new language | John McWhorter
English is fast becoming the world's universal language, and instant translation technology is improving every year. So why bother learning a foreign language? Linguist and Columbia professor John McWhorter shares four alluring benefits...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Shunan Teng: The Chinese myth of the white snake and the meddling monk
Xu Xian had just received an invitation to the opening ceremony of a new temple. His wife, Bai Su Zhen, warned him not to attend, but Xu Xian, a devout Buddhist, felt obligated to make an appearance. What they didn't know was that these...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Iseult Gillespie: The wicked wit of Jane Austen
Whether she's describing bickering families, quiet declarations of love, or juicy gossip, Jane Austen's writing often feels as though it was written just for you. Her dry wit and cheeky playfulness informs her heroines, whose...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The rise and fall of history's first empire | Soraya Field Fiorio
History's first empire rose out of a hot, dry landscape, without rainfall to nourish crops, without trees or stones for building. In spite of all this, its inhabitants built the world's first cities, with monumental architecture and...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The Maya myth of the morning star | TED-Ed
Chak Ek', the morning star, rose from the underworld to the surface of the eastern sea and on into the heavens. His brother K'in Ahaw, the sun, followed. Though Chak Ek' had risen first, K'in Ahaw outshone him, and the resentful Chak Ek'...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Paul S. Kindstedt: A brie(f) history of cheese
Before empires and royalty, before pottery and writing, before metal tools and weapons – there was cheese. As early as 8000 BCE, Neolithic farmers began a legacy of cheesemaking almost as old as civilization. Today, the world produces...
Curated Video
Experience the Magic of Sziget
Sziget is a renowned music festival located on the beautiful island of Obodai in Budapest, Hungary. Check out its diverse lineup, interactive art installations, and vibrant atmosphere.
Curated Video
Discover the Magic of Renaissance Festivals
Throughout the summer, towns across the United States transform into medieval villages at the Renaissance Fair. Wear your most creative Elizabethan outfit, read a Shakespeare story, and join in the festivities!
Curated Video
Experience the Vibrant Celebration of Junkanoo in the Bahamas
The Junkanoo parade starts on Boxing Day (December 26th) in the Bahamas. The colorful festival celebrates life and freedom and is thought to be named after John Canoe, a West African prince who was enslaved in the Bahamas. Learn more...
Curated Video
Burning Man: A Celebration of Creativity, Self-Expression, and Community
The Burning Man Festival is a once-a-year event held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate creativity, self-expression, and community. Learn about the various art...
Curated Video
Exploring the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, held in Scotland's capital city every August. Learn all about how it features a wide range of performances and events, including comedy, drama, dance, circus,...
Curated Video
The Kumbh Mela: A Sacred Festival of Immortality and Rebirth
This video provides an overview of the Kumbh Mela festival in India. The festival, which takes place every 12 years, is a significant event for Hindus as it is believed to cleanse sins and provide spiritual benefits. The video explains...