Ted Talks are a great way to learn about the world around us from the perspective of an expert, a scholar, or just another human being with a different perspective. Usually, the best Ted Talks are those that contain a story or lesson that allow me to adopt a new outlook on a certain aspect of my life. These are some of my favorite Ted Talks that I’ve watched recently. Some are inspirational, some are thought-provoking, and others are just plain fascinating. Enjoy!
1. Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone– Yubing Zhang
“What is it that you’re not doing because of fear of failure?” asks Zhang in this extremely powerful talk. Zhang offers her personal experiences and discusses the work she has done with others to promote the act of leaving one’s comfort zone.
2. The Power of Introverts– Susan Cain
“When it comes to creativity and to leadership, we need introverts doing what they do best.” Susan Cain provides a powerful argument in this discussion about the power and roles of introverts in our society.
3. Why You Should Talk to Strangers – Kio Stark
“What we mean when we say those things [‘how are you’ or ‘how’s it going’] is ‘I see you there.’” Stark talks about the importance of talking to strangers in order to feel more connected to those around us and to provide a sense of comfort for ourselves and others.
4. How to Gain Control of Your Free Time– Laura Vanderkam
“We don’t build the lives we want by saving time. We build the lives we want, and then time saves itself.” Vanderkam presents a fascinating hypothesis about how to make the most of your time, and it is actually much more simple than people might think!
5. The Art of Letting Go – The Minimalists
“Love people and use things, because the opposite never works.” Joshua Fields-Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, also known as The Minimalists, deliver a concise speech about their theories on owning less and living more.
6. Quit Social Media – Dr. Cal Newport
“I am a millennial, computer scientist, book author standing on a Ted stage, and yet I’ve never had a social media account.” Dr. Cal Newport shares his interesting perspective on social media and how his life is actually better without it.
Hopefully, these Ted talks will inspire you to learn about some different perspectives. These talks can also serve as a great break from studying for finals, and still feel productive!
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