av Mikael Winterkvist | jul 17, 2020 | Ted
Why are pencils shaped like hexagons, and how did they get their iconic yellow color? Pencil shop owner Caroline Weaver takes us inside the fascinating history of the pencil.
av Mikael Winterkvist | jul 16, 2020 | Ted
How often does technology interrupt us from what we really mean to be doing? At work and at play, we spend a startling amount of time distracted by pings and pop-ups — instead of helping us spend our time well, it often feels like our tech is stealing it away from us. Design thinker Tristan Harris offers thoughtful new ideas for technology that creates more meaningful interaction. He asks: ”What does the future of technology look like when you’re designing for the deepest human values?”
av Mikael Winterkvist | jul 14, 2020 | Ted
People send 100 billion WhatsApp messages every day — and they’re all encrypted to protect them from potentially curious entities like companies, governments and even WhatsApp itself. With our increased reliance on digital communication tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, our fundamental right to privacy is more important than ever, says Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp. He describes the tech and protocols the company built to prevent encryption services from being misused to spread disinformation or commit crimes — while still safeguarding privacy. (This virtual conversation, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson, was recorded June 16, 2020.)
av Mikael Winterkvist | jul 7, 2020 | Ted
Feeling like the world is becoming less friendly? Social theorist Jonathan Zittrain begs to differ. The Internet, he suggests, is made up of millions of disinterested acts of kindness, curiosity and trust.
av Mikael Winterkvist | jul 6, 2020 | Ted
Born out of a social media post, the Black Lives Matter movement has sparked discussion about race and inequality across the world. In this spirited conversation with Mia Birdsong, the movement’s three founders share what they’ve learned about leadership and what provides them with hope and inspiration in the face of painful realities. Their advice on how to participate in ensuring freedom for everybody: join something, start something and ”sharpen each other, so that we all can rise.”
av Mikael Winterkvist | jun 24, 2020 | Ted
Ethan Lindenberger never got vaccinated as a kid. So one day, he went on Reddit and asked a simple question: ”Where do I go to get vaccinated?” The post went viral, landing Lindenberger in the middle of a heated debate about vaccination and, ultimately, in front of a US Senate committee. Less than a year later, the high school senior reports back on his unexpected time in the spotlight and a new movement he’s leading to fight misinformation and advocate for scientific truth.
