TED Talks
TED: The magic of Fibonacci numbers | Arthur Benjamin
Math is logical, functional and just ... awesome. Mathemagician Arthur Benjamin explores hidden properties of that weird and wonderful set of numbers, the Fibonacci series. (And reminds you that mathematics can be inspiring, too!)
TED Talks
Pamelia Kurstin: The untouchable music of the theremin
Virtuoso Pamelia Kurstin performs and discusses her theremin, the not-just-for-sci-fi electronic instrument that is played without being touched. Songs include "Autumn Leaves," "Lush Life" and David Mash’s "Listen, Words Are Gone."
Bozeman Science
The Andersen's New Toy
Backyardbrain's Human-Human Interface arrived today. Special thanks to my kids for volunteering to apply and receive the shocks.
TED Talks
TED: How Ikea is growing its business while shrinking emissions | Jesper Brodin and Pia Heidenmark Cook
IKEA currently makes up 0.1 percent of all global carbon emissions -- but by 2030, they're planning to be carbon negative across their business. Discussing new thinking about the lifespan of their products, from the forest to the...
TED Talks
Raul Midon: "Tembererana"
Singer/guitarist Raúl Midón performs "All the Answers" in a world premiere at TED2007, followed by the sprightly "Tembererana."
PBS
Can Dungeons & Dragons Make You Confident & Successful?
There are some deeply ingrained stereotypes about Dungeons & Dragons, and those stereotypes usually begin and end with people shouting "NERD!!!" But the reality of the D&D universe is a whole lot more complex. Rather than being an escape...
TED Talks
TED: How to tap into your awareness -- and why meditation is easier than you think | Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Meditation asks you to slip into a state of serene presence. But why does something that sounds effortless often feel so difficult? In this lighthearted invitation, spiritual leader Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche shares three steps to help you...
Crash Course
Gambling: Crash Course Games
Today we're going to talk about gambling. Now, gambling is interesting because it could be argued that gambling doesn't even have anything to do with games. It's usually about making money after all - which makes it much closer to work....
SciShow
3 Senses You Didn't Know You Had
At some point, you've probably learned about the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. However, the classic list doesn't account for all the sensations we experience and use to navigate the world around us!
TED-Ed
TED-ED: What's the difference between accuracy and precision? - Matt Anticole
When we measure things, most people are only worried about how accurate, or how close to the actual value, they are. Looking at the process of measurement more carefully, you will see that there is another important consideration:...
TED Talks
TED: Two poems about what dogs think (probably) | Billy Collins
What must our dogs be thinking when they look at us? Poet Billy Collins imagines the inner lives of two very different companions. It’s a charming short talk, perfect for taking a break and dreaming …
TED Talks
Kare Anderson: Be an opportunity maker
We all want to use our talents to create something meaningful with our lives. But how to get started? (And ... what if you're shy?) Writer Kare Anderson shares her own story of chronic shyness, and how she opened up her world by helping...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: The most notorious scientific feud in history | Lukas Rieppel
After the California Gold Rush of 1848, settlers streamed west to strike it rich. In addition to precious metals, they unearthed another treasure: dinosaur bones. Two wealthy scientists in particular— Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward...
SciShow
Why Do We Go All In on Lost Causes?
We've all experienced the sunk cost fallacy: when you are deep into a task and tell yourself that you’ve come this far, so you may as well finish it. We do this even if it's no longer logical to finish. So why do we do it?
Crash Course Kids
Weather Channels
Why is my weather app sometimes wrong? Well it has a lot to do with wind. Jet Streams, air cells, the shape and movement of the Earth... there are a lot of things that make weather a little unpredictable. In this episode of Crash Course...
SciShow
The Mystery of the Black Diamond
There are still lots of unsolved mystery about carbonados ("black diamonds"), and geologists even think those mystery rocks come from outside of Earth.
SciShow
Why Do I Have to Use a Number 2 Pencil?
Why do exams always tell you to use a number 2 pencil? What happens if you don't? Quick Questions explains!
TED Talks
Courtney E. Martin: This isn't her mother's feminism
Blogger Courtney E. Martin examines the perennially loaded word "feminism" in this personal and heartfelt talk. She talks through the three essential paradoxes of her generation's quest to define the term for themselves.
SciShow
How Well Do You Know Your Own Hand?
Tricking your brain isn't just fun,it can be therapeutic, too!
MinutePhysics
The Physics of Caramel: How To Make a Caramelized Sugar Cube
This video is about how the physics and chemistry of sugar (in particular, how it melts, and how it caramelizes) is more complicated than you might think. It involves fructose, sucrose, glucose, and a sticky mess. Credits: Gallium...
TED Talks
TED: The birds and the bees are just the beginning | Carin Bondar
Think you know a thing or two about sex? Think again. In this fascinating talk, biologist Carin Bondar lays out the surprising science behind how animals get it on. (This talk describes explicit and aggressive sexual content.)
TED Talks
TED: The human insights missing from big data | Tricia Wang
Why do so many companies make bad decisions, even with access to unprecedented amounts of data? With stories from Nokia to Netflix to the oracles of ancient Greece, Tricia Wang demystifies big data and identifies its pitfalls, suggesting...
SciShow
An Ode to Salps: Our Gelatinous Marine Cousins
Salps are more than just strange balls of goo drifting through the sea—in fact, they’re more closely related to us than they are to jellyfish, and play a huge role in marine ecosystems and the global carbon cycle as the “vacuum cleaners...
TED Talks
Michael McDaniel: Cheap, effective shelter for disaster relief
Michael McDaniel designed housing for disaster relief zones -- inexpensive, easy to transport, even beautiful – but found that no one was willing to build it. Persistent and obsessed, he decided to go it alone. At TEDxAustin, McDaniel...