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June Cohen
New York, NY
United States

Executive Producer, TED Media, TED

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What's the best hidden gem in the TED archive?

Ken Robinson, Hans Rosling, Jill Bolte Taylor, Patties Maes, David Gallo, Elizabeth Gilbert ... They're crowd pleasers and perennial favorites (and I love them, every one!). But there are so many hidden gems in the TED archive that deserve to be seen and shared. Let's unearth them!

What's the little-known sleeper hit that captured your heart?

Topics: TED TED speakers TEDTalks meta

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Max Feist
- 0
Mar 9 2011: My all time favorite talk is VS Ramachandran on mirror neurons- http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html

It's amazing to think that there could actually be a culture and empathy section of the brain. Think of the implications this has for aesthetics and art, especially theatre!
Luis Velazquez
- 0
Mar 9 2011: I´d love a TED tv channel with all these!!!
Thanks for the excelent talks!
Sabin Muntean 30+
- 0
Host Associate

Mar 1 2011: I've noticed that he has already been mentioned, but I would also like to recommend watching the talks by Dan Barber on changing the way we grow and think about food.
However there is some real danger of getting hungry while listening, especially with his foie gras parable.
Guilherme Chaves 50+
- 0
TEDx Organizer

Feb 24 2011: For me it is better, because it can address the whole issue of technology in a completely unpretentious vision and still manages to appoint a new target: the man ....

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/billy_graham_on_technology_faith_and_suffering.html

Thanks for this treasure!
- Lloyd Fraser
  - +1
  Feb 25 2011: This thread is a great way to find the best things on the site. More website should be taking this approach.
Nitya P
- 0
Feb 23 2011: There are so many TED gems out there, but my pick below:

The common theme that strings these gems together is their authenticity and the passion with which it is delivered.

Ben Dunlop talks about a passionate life - His passion and love of story-telling is infectious!
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ben_dunlap_talks_about_a_passionate_life.html

Neil Pasricha's 3A's of awesome - His ability to stand up on stage and open his life to the scrutiny of thousands was very inspiring and courageous. I learnt that you can turn your vulnerability into a strength that is unique to you.. No one can challenge or take that away from you.
http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome.html
Patrick Adams 200+
- 0
TED Attendee

Feb 23 2011: Stefan Sagmeister's oldest talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/stefan_sagmeister_shares_happy_design.html

Funny, insightful, and especially interesting if you then watch his follow up talks from more recent years.
Florence Divet 30+
- 0
TED Translator Associate

Feb 23 2011: I will not mention Banjamin Zander's talk as I do not believe this is a hidden gem :-) (However, If you have not seen it, I will recommend watching it as you will truly enjoy it). It can be found at www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html.

2 hidden gems are for me

1) Chimamanda Adichie, about how influenced and shaped we can be by stories.
www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html (already mentioned below)

2) Kavita Ramdas about how women can walk the line between Western-style empowerment and traditional culture? www.ted.com/talks/kavita_ramdas_radical_women_embracing_tradition.html
Sendhil Kolandaivel
- 0
Feb 23 2011: A new one - "When to listen to expert-opinion, and when not to" by Noreena Hertz.

http://www.ted.com/talks/noreena_hertz_how_to_use_experts_and_when_not_to.html
Brian Hsu 20+
- 0
TED Translator Associate

Feb 22 2011: One of my favorite talks, which I think quite convincingly challenges a very common part of popular wisdom, is this talk where Steven Pinker argues our species has been on a continuous trajectory towards a more peaceful existence, in spite of all intuitions to the contrary.

http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violence.html
andrea gonzalez
- +1
Feb 22 2011: Well, Neil Parisha with his "Three As of Awesomeness" has changed so much about my approach to life in the last 10 days. Also Benjamin Zander "On music and passion" is one of those talks that even thought I watch it 2 years ago, it stills makes me think and understand why passion is something that should be left to run wild.
Steve Varon 200+
- 0
TED Attendee

Feb 21 2011: sunitha krisnan ted india and anything by tom wojac
- Colburn Pittman
  - 0
  Feb 22 2011: I think you mean tom wujec
Anja Lehmann 50+
- +2
TED Translator Associate

Feb 20 2011: I agree with everyone who already stated Benjamins Zander
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

and I really liked this one which opened up a new perspective on choosing
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_of_choosing.html

and this one
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_different.html
Zoran Blazevski 50+
- +1
TED Translator Associate

Feb 20 2011: Extremely diffcult to choose from tons of amazing speeches:

- Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!
www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html

- Dan Barber: How I fell in love with a fish
www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dan_barber_how_i_fell_in_love_with_a_fish.html

-Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off
www.ted.com/talks/lang/mac/stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off.html

-Barry Schwartz on the paradox of choice
www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html

- Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad man
www.ted.com/talks/rory_sutherland_life_lessons_from_an_ad_man.html

More great speeches from: Richard St. John, Ze Frank, Hans Rosling etc...
Raj Singh
- 0
Feb 20 2011: 1. Bill Stone's talk on exploring caves and space : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/bill_stone_explores_the_earth_and_space.html

2. Willie Smits' talk on restoring a rain forest in Borneo, Indonesia : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/willie_smits_restores_a_rainforest.html

3. George Dyson on Project Orion : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/george_dyson_on_project_orion.html

4. Scott McCloud on Comics : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/scott_mccloud_on_comics.html

5. Childs' life lessons from rock climbing : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/matthew_childs_9_rules_of_rock_climbing.html

6. Lanting lyrical earth : http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/frans_lanting_s_lyrical_nature_photos.html

7. St John's 8 secrets for successful life : http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success.html

-- Raj
Els De Keyser 500+
- +1
Host TED Attendee TED Translator Associate Language Coordinator

Feb 20 2011: I like this conversation. There's still a lot of translation work from the archive work to be done into Dutch. I think I'm going to use this thread to decide on my priorities as a TED Translator.
William Peterson
- 0
Feb 20 2011: Michael Pollan's talk led me to read his books further. With no push at all, I am beginning to see many of his ideas as VERY useful.
Alisa Miller 200+
- +3
TED Attendee

Feb 20 2011: A great short talk. Derek Sivers, on how to start a movement. Funny and a great example of a talk highlighting an important insight.

http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement.html
- Noelle Bivens
  - 0
  Feb 23 2011: Exactly the one I was going to mention! I believe that talk ranks as the one video that I have most often shared, shown, and posted. I recently even worked it into a presentation for a community development project.
Lori King
- +1
Feb 19 2011: Benjamin Zander on Music and Passion. He was so funny yet very moving and engaging. I laughed AND cried in the same talk!

http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
Ibrahim EL Kazaz 500+
- 0
TEDx Organizer Associate

Feb 19 2011: This is one of my favourite talks all time: Carmen Agra Deedy Spins stories
http://www.ted.com/talks/carmen_agra_deedy_spins_stories.html
because it's funny at times yet she takes on a whole journey that just makes you think in the end about all the great things you have in your life without realizing how great these things or people really are.
Ben Schorr
- 0
Feb 19 2011: I often come back to Sebastian Wernecke's presentation on Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics (About TED Talks) for the sheer entertainment value and the inspiration that induced him to produce it.
Jacob Prendergast
- 0
Feb 18 2011: The best hidden gem is Matthieu Ricard. The link to his talk is http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/matthieu_ricard_on_the_habits_of_happiness.html
Muhammad Hafiz
- 0
Feb 17 2011: TEDTalks!
Daniel Wishart
- 0
Feb 17 2011: Not sure if these gems would be considered hidden. But they are certainly not on the 'most watched' list. Both are brilliant.

Sam Harris: Science can answer moral questions
http://www.ted.com/talks/sam_harris_science_can_show_what_s_right.html

Steven Pinker: On language and thought
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/steven_pinker_on_language_and_thought.html
Vrashabh Irde
- 0
Feb 17 2011: Every talk, presentation or video that had a real world idea to make for a sustainable, green, and a better world aided by technology.
Darina Stoyanova 500+
- +1
TED Attendee TED Translator TEDx Organizer Associate Language Coordinator

Feb 17 2011: If I had to single one of the many hidden gems & favorites it would be one that is from a TEDx event in Japan & that might not be even officially part of the main TED archive yet.
Exciting, Hopeful, Inspiring and Empowering...sharing the new paradigm in business.

Gunter Pauli on the blue Economy from TEDX Japan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQBp6z4j704

In addition my top 7 favorites Talks:

* Janine Benyus shares nature's designs
http://www.ted.com/talks/janine_benyus_shares_nature_s_designs.html
* Kiran Bedi: A police chief with a difference
http://www.ted.com/talks/kiran_bedi_a_police_chief_with_a_difference.html
* Ray Kurzweil on how technology will transform us
http://www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_on_how_technology_will_transform_us.html
* Juan Enriquez wants to grow energy
http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_wants_to_grow_energy.html
* Paul Stamets on 6 ways mushrooms can save the world
www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world.html
* Dennis vanEngelsdorp: a plea for bees
http://www.ted.com/talks/dennis_vanengelsdorp_a_plea_for_bees.html
* Eve Ensler on security
http://www.ted.com/talks/eve_ensler_on_security.html
Tony Yet 500+
- 0
TED Fellow TED Attendee TED Translator TEDx Organizer Associate Language Coordinator

Feb 17 2011: The first TEDTalk that I watched and got me ticked was David Pogue's Talk on simplicity sells: http://www.ted.com/talks/david_pogue_says_simplicity_sells.html

And some of the TEDTalks that have deep resonance with me:

Ben Dunlap recalls life of a Polish teacher and mentor:
http://www.ted.com/talks/ben_dunlap_talks_about_a_passionate_life.html

Bill Strickland on making changes with slides (boy, I must visit his Manchester Bidwell shall I be visiting the US):
http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_strickland_makes_change_with_a_slide_show.html

Patrick Awuah on his returning home and rebuilding liberal arts education in Ghana:
http://www.ted.com/talks/patrick_awuah_on_educating_leaders.html

And some talks that have changed my thinking on something:

Juan Enriquez tells the story of genomics and our future:
http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_on_genomics_and_our_future.html

Erin McKean on dictionaries:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/erin_mckean_redefines_the_dictionary.html
Erik Harpstead 50+
- +1
TEDx Organizer

Feb 17 2011: One of the earliest TED Talks I watched, and one that has stuck with me ever since, was Paul Stamets on 6 ways mushrooms can save the world, because of how much passion he displays for such a lowly thing as fungus, which we usually think of as being very minor: http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world.html

Also along the lines of passion, and partly because I have a friend that acts exactly like him, I enjoyed Clifford Stoll on ... everything. I love seeing people that are extremely passionate about something, its a way to hear ideas that you may have never encountered without them.
http://www.ted.com/talks/clifford_stoll_on_everything.html
Lauren Lazarus
- +1
Feb 17 2011: I think the video that helped me find out about TED was this one by Erin McKean, talking about the English language and how both the language and the dictionaries that reference it are changing with the digital age:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/erin_mckean_redefines_the_dictionary.html

Another big one for me was the one by Benjamin Zander. He brings humor into a discussion of whether classical music is dying-- how classical music, in the right context, can be brought to anybody. As a bit of a musician myself, it hit home, because he brought a different perspective to the classical music that I was already fond of... and as a human being, I think it affected me as well.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

There are a few others, but these are the two major gems that I have found.
- Ignacio Ruz Caracuel
  - 0
  TED Translator
  
  Feb 19 2011: I really admire Zander. This is another video, unfortunately the sound isn´t very good.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGWzmst0R7E

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