Themes Master Storytellers

Nowhere has the timeless power of narrative been more apparent than at TED: here, storytellers both professional and provisional use the personal tale to entertain, educate and inspire to action.

Anna Deavere Smith replicates the spoken styles of true-to-life American characters with her startling monologues -- "organic poetry" extracted verbatim from interviews. Whip-smart Rives and razor-sharp Julia Sweeney revel in the rhythmic power of the spoken word. And Jonathan Harris uses web technology to collect, catalog and broadcast the emotions and aspirations of thousands of people -- instantaneously.

Sherwin Nuland illuminates the history and potential of electroshock therapy through an emotional, personal account of depression. Wade Davis’ passionate talk on vanishing world cultures simply grabs you from the first instant. And you’ll never forget Ben Saunders’ rousing recollections of skiing to the North Pole -- alone.

If these stories inspire you to tell your own, consider submitting a film to Pangea Day >>