Science

"I began to learn at least what other people felt and what they wanted to say before cutting them off with my own diatribe. I used to do that." - John Francis

Why Would Someone Choose Silence For 17 Years?

1:24pm May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

For almost three decades, John Francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a silent message of environmental respect. For 17 of those years he didn't speak a word.

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"In an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still." -Pico Iyer

How Can We Find More Time To Be Still?

1:24pm May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Pico Iyer says sitting still and reflecting is hard work, but we bring so much more to our experiences and relationships when we make time to think.

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"What I'm saying is that culturally we need a much better balance. We need more of a yin and yang between [introverts and extroverts]." - Susan Cain

Why Do We Undervalue Introverts?

1:22pm May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

In a culture where being social and outgoing are celebrated, it can be difficult to be an introvert. Susan Cain argues introverts bring extraordinary talents to the world, and should be celebrated.

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Environmentalist John Francis speaks about the 17 years of his life during which he never spoke a word.

How Do Years Of Silence Change Someone?

1:22pm May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

For almost three decades, John Francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a silent message of environmental responsibility. For 17 years he didn't speak a word.

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Leana Wen on stage at the TEDMED conference.

What Does It Take To Bring Transparency To Medicine?

11:45am May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Doctors in the U.S. don't have to tell patients about conflicts of interest. When physician Leana Wen asked her fellow doctors to open up, the reaction she got was frightening.

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Chef Dan Barber explains how he went on a journey to find the perfect fish.

Science
Arts

Can Organic Farming Make Perfect Fish?

11:41am May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Chef Dan Barber tackles a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu. He chronicles his search for a fish that would please both diners and environmentalists.

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The elusive Kraken wasn't seen in its natural habitat until Dr. Edith Widder came up with some innovative technology.

What Did It Take To Find The Giant Squid?

11:40am May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Humans have been looking for the giant squid for decades. Oceanographer Edith Widder shares how innovative technology helped her capture the squid on video for the first time.

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Will we find signals from intelligent life in the next few decades? SETI astronomer Seth Shostak says yes.

Why Should We Search For ET?

11:40am May 06, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Will we find ET in the next 25 years? Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at SETI, says yes. He explains that new technologies and the laws of probability make the breakthrough likely.

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Science

Baltimore Police Shooting That Wasn't 'Illustrates Malleable Nature Of Memories'

7:32pm May 05, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks to Elizabeth Loftus, professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine, about inventing memories. False reports Monday said a man was shot by Baltimore police.

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"You can choose to be a vegetarian, but don't think that just because you've made that decision, bacon suddenly stops smelling good." - Christopher Ryan

Science
Arts

What Did Cavemen Think About Lust?

4:20pm May 05, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Christopher Ryan says that human beings are sexual omnivores and hopes that a better understanding of sexual fidelity may end discrimination, shame and unrealistic expectations.

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