Reading and writing can be acts of courage that bring us closer to others and ourselves. Author Michelle Kuo shares how teaching reading skills to her students in the Mississippi Delta revealed the bridging power of the written word -- as well as the limitations of its power.

"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B ... " began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis -- from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York's Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-exp...

Michael Shermer says the human tendency to believe strange things -- from alien abductions to dowsing rods -- boils down to two of the brain's most basic, hard-wired survival skills. He explains what they are, and how they get us into trouble.

How do you stage an international art show with work from 100 different artists? If you're Shea Hembrey, you invent all of the artists and artwork yourself -- from large-scale outdoor installations to tiny paintings drawn with a single-haired brush. Watch this funny, mind-bending talk to see the explosion of creativity and diversity of skills a ...

Michael Kay is one of a growing number of agricultural innovators in Aotearoa seeking a more symbiotic, sustainable relationship with the land. He’s passionate about sharing his practices, and proving their profitability as a radical alternative to mainstream practices.

In this talk, Ms. Michelle Kuo addresses questions regarding preparation for college and how through college, one is able to change the world in an effective and impactful way.

NOTE FROM TED: This talk represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of sexual assault prevention. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf Eradicating sexual assault in our lifet...

Michael Ko is currently a fifth year student at UBC studying Engineering Physics. His talk, “From Disability to Possibility”, revolves around his journey growing up beside his elder brother, Daniel. Daniel has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is a condition that progressively weakens the muscles in his body overtime. Seeing the physical hardsh...

BUILDING THE MODERN FOOD BOWL : Strengthening the Food Bowl in Rural Developing Communities Michelle Cheo is passionate about using science to improve our agricultural and food manufacturing efficiency so as to leave a lower environmental footprint.

在密西西比陪伴學生派屈克讀書的過程，當地學生間常起衝突，但派屈克不同，他討厭打架，卻也因此不愛上學。郭怡慧親自邀請他上課，帶他寫詩念書。但當郭怡慧離開密西西比、去哈佛念法學院的三年後，竟接獲派屈克因衝突殺人的消息。 探監派屈克，她才知道他輟學，還有了個女兒，更失去用文字正常表達想法的能力。「我們都知道學生可以短時間內進步，卻沒想過他們會退步這麼快。」郭怡慧選擇重新陪伴派屈克讀書，透過書籍帶他了解社會問題、認識自然、學會思考。 「我們是比較幸運的那一群，我們不能漠視自己的能力。要怎麼縮小我和他們之間的差距呢？閱讀是一個方法。」 ----- Michelle Kuo was a young Harvard graduate who accepted a Teach for Amer...

K. Carter and Michelle Lee collaborated to create a dynamic original piece that highlights their skills as a local rapper and theatrically trained American Sign Language interpreter.