Van Jones: The economic injustice of plastic
When we throw away our plastic trash, where does it go? In this hard-hitting talk, Van Jones shows us how our throwaway culture hits poor people and poor countries "first and worst," with consequences we all share no matter where we live. He offers some ways to reclaim our planet from plastic garbage.
Van Jones: What if a US presidential candidate refuses to concede after an election?
If the 2020 US presidential election is close, the race could drag on in the courts and halls of Congress long after ballots are cast, says lawyer and political commentator Van Jones. Explaining why the customary concession speech is one of the most important safeguards for democracy, Jones exposes shocking legal loopholes that could enable a ca...
A. Dara Dotz: An ingenious solution for aid in disaster zones
A. Dara Dotz left the tech industry for the nonprofit world after realizing our widespread reliance on tech may be doing us more harm than good. In response, she founded Field Ready to work directly with communities on the ground in disaster zones and co-develop low-tech aid solutions, repurposing found materials like car mats and broken solar p...
Kristin Jones: Why children stay silent following sexual violence
Sexual assault is never the victim's fault, says advocate Kristin Jones. In this courageous talk, she tells her story of overcoming the shame that followed sexual abuse as a teenager -- and shares how parents can foster an open conversation about abuse to empower kids and encourage them to ask for help. (This talk contains mature content.)
Kate Slabosky: Can the ocean run out of oxygen?
For most of the year, the Gulf of Mexico is teeming with marine life, from tiny crustaceans to massive whales. But every summer, disaster strikes. Around May, animals begin to flee the area. And soon, creatures that can't swim or can't swim fast enough begin to suffocate and die off in massive numbers. What's going on? Kate Slabosky dives into t...
Peter Gabriel: Fight injustice with raw video
Niki Okuk: When workers own companies, the economy is more resilient
Another economic reality is possible -- one that values community, sustainability and resiliency instead of profit by any means necessary. Niki Okuk shares her case for cooperative economics and a vision for how working-class people can organize and own the businesses they work for, making decisions for themselves and enjoying the fruits of thei...
Nisha Anand: The radical act of choosing common ground
To achieve lasting change sometimes requires the hard, even radical, choice of partnering with people you'd least expect. Justice reform advocate Nisha Anand shares her story of working with her ideological opposite to make history and save lives -- and urges us all to widen our circles in order to make progress with purpose.
Paola Antonelli: Why I brought Pac-Man to MoMA
When the Museum of Modern Art's senior curator of architecture and design announced the acquisition of 14 video games in 2012, "all hell broke loose." In this far-ranging, entertaining, and deeply insightful talk, Paola Antonelli explains why she's delighted to challenge preconceived ideas about art and galleries, and describes her burning wish ...
Bill Strickland: Rebuilding a neighborhood with beauty, dignity, hope
Peter Hirshberg: The web is more than "better TV"
WorkLife with Adam Grant: Career decline isn't inevitable
As we age, we often feel like the clock starts ticking on our careers. But there are ways to sustain -- and even gain -- excellence over time. Meet a musician whose career ended too soon, and an entrepreneur and a social media star who defied the stereotypes on professional decline. They illuminate steps that fuel great second and third acts. (A...
Michris Janse van Rensburg: Back-saving inventions for small-scale farmers
Farmer and inventor Michris Janse van Rensburg works with small-scale farmers, in South Africa, and throughout the African continent. In his travels, he says, a question that he often faces is “how are we going to get the youth back into farming?” The obvious answer is “through technology.” With a cellphone, every small-scale farmer can leapfrog...
Nickey Janse van Rensburg: How we are creating a social movement around food
Basic needs such as energy, water, and of course, food, lie at the heart of the challenges that humanity faces worldwide. These are wicked problems, and according to Nickey Janse van Rensburg and her team, such problems require expertly engineered, social solutions that cut across disciplines. Her team’s efforts, driven through the ResearchGO pl...