TED Talks
TED: How to see past your own perspective and find truth | Michael Patrick Lynch
The more we read and watch online, the harder it becomes to tell the difference between what's real and what's fake. It's as if we know more but understand less, says philosopher Michael Patrick Lynch. In this talk, he dares us to take...
Crash Course
The Death and Resurrection of Theater as...Liturgical Drama: Crash Course Theater #8
As the Roman Empire fell, so did the theater. If there's anyone who hates theater and actors more than Romans, it's early Christians. As Christianity ascended in the west, theater declined. But, fear not. This isn't the end of the...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: What can Schrodinger's cat teach us about quantum mechanics? - Josh Samani
The classical physics that we encounter in our everyday, macroscopic world is very different from the quantum physics that governs systems on a much smaller scale (like atoms). One great example of quantum physics' weirdness can be shown...
Be Smart
De-Extinction: A Mammoth Undertaking
De-extinction, or using the power of modern biotechnology to bring back extinct species like mammoths and dinosaurs, would be cool. But is it really as easy as the movies make it look? Or do the cruel hands of time make it impossible?...
TED Talks
Vik Muniz: Art with wire, sugar, chocolate and string
Vik Muniz makes art from pretty much anything, be it shredded paper, wire, clouds or diamonds. Here he describes the thinking behind his work and takes us on a tour of his incredible images.
Crash Course
Adolescence: Crash Course Psychology
In this episode of Crash Course Psychology, Hank has a look at that oh so troublesome time in everyone's life: Adolescence! He talks about identity, individuality, and The Breakfast Club. -- Table of Contents Erikson's 8 Stages of...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Can you solve the sorting hat riddle? | Dan Katz and Alex Rosenthal
It's your first day at Magnificent Marigold's Magical Macademy. But before you can learn your first spell you must get through the sorting ceremony. And the sorting hat has chosen you for a special challenge. The Macademy had 8 founders...
Be Smart
The Raisin Bran Effect
The bottom of the cereal box is a disappointing place. But at least now you know why. Where do you see the Brazil Nut Effect around you?
TED Talks
Michael Shermer: Why people believe weird things
Why do people see the Virgin Mary on a cheese sandwich or hear demonic lyrics in "Stairway to Heaven"? Using video and music, skeptic Michael Shermer shows how we convince ourselves to believe -- and overlook the facts.
SciShow Kids
Real-Life Robots
Meet some real-life robots, and find out what robots really are, and what they do for us every day!
TED Talks
Matthew Carter: My life in typefaces
Pick up a book, magazine or screen, and more than likely you'll come across some typography designed by Matthew Carter. In this charming talk, the man behind typefaces such as Verdana, Georgia and Bell Centennial (designed just for phone...
TED Talks
TED: The real danger lurking in the water | Romulus Whitaker
The gharial and king cobra are two of India's most iconic reptiles, and they're endangered because of polluted waterways. Conservationist Romulus Whitaker shows rare footage of these magnificent animals and urges us to save the rivers...
TED Talks
Aimee Mullins: Changing my legs - and my mindset
In this TED archive video from 1998, paralympic sprinter Aimee Mullins talks about her record-setting career as a runner, and about the amazing carbon-fiber prosthetic legs (then a prototype) that helped her cross the finish line.
TED Talks
TED: 9 life lessons from rock climbing | Matthew Childs
In this talk from TED University 2009, veteran rock climber Matthew Childs shares nine pointers for rock climbing. These handy tips bear on an effective life at sea level, too.
PBS
Waning Trust And A Perilous Financial Landscape Challenge The News Business
It is a tumultuous time in the news business, with a perilous financial
landscape and significant percentages of Americans saying they
fundamentally don't trust news sources that don't line up with their
opinions. Gregory Moore,...
TED Talks
Bill Gates: How state budgets are breaking US schools
America's school systems are funded by the 50 states. In this fiery talk, Bill Gates says that state budgets are riddled with accounting tricks that disguise the true cost of health care and pensions and weighted with worsening deficits...
PBS
Is Community a Postmodern Masterpiece?
Though the TV show Community has never achieved huge ratings, it has a passionate cult following, including us here at Idea Channel. The show plays with genre and narrative in such a creative way that it brings to mind the cultural and...
Kids’ Poems and Stories With Michael Rosen
Unexpected Twist! An Oliver Twisted Tale – Q&A
New ReviewUnexpected Twist! An Oliver Twisted Tale – Q&A
Weatherthings
Horseshoe Vortex Cloud
New ReviewA horseshoe vortex cloud is an odd kind of cumulus cloud that is usually small and brief, so it goes unnoticed. It’s shaped like a horseshoe. Some sort of up and down air motion or spin in the air, known as a vortex, creates these, but...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Dr. Girija Kaimal - Teachers Make a Difference
Drexel University Professor Dr. Girija Kaimal reflects on the profound impact teachers have in shaping a student’s confidence and sense of self. She recalls how one professor recognized her strength in theory—something she hadn’t seen in...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Dr. Girija Kaimal - How Imagination and Creative Works Help Us Survive and Thrive
Dr. Girija Kaimal, professor and chair of the Creative Arts Therapies department at Drexel University, emphasizes the importance of creative expression as a natural human capacity. She recalls how a single discouraging comment can...
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Dr. Girija Kaimal - Why Art and Creativity Matter
New ReviewDr. Girija Kaimal, professor and chair of the Creative Arts Therapies department, reflects on the fundamental role of creativity in human life. She explains that unlike most species, humans possess imagination—the ability to create,...
Curated Video
Dalai Lama and Dr. James R. Doty on Compassion
The Dalai Lama Talks About Compassion: Harry Wiland and Dale Bell had the honor and privilege to meet and interview the Dalai Lama about the importance of compassion and giving.