TED-Ed

Dig into the 1947 Partition of India, when Britain split the region into two states, India and Pakistan, and the mass migrations and violence that followed.--In 1947, the British viceroy announced that after 200 years of British rule, India would gain independence and be partitioned into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. What followed was one of the largest and bloodiest forced migrations in histor...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/mysteries-of-vernacular-miniature-jessica-oreckMiniature's root may be Latin, but its meaning is rooted in books, where red pigment was used to denote chapter breaks. Jessica Oreck explains how we got from there to the meaning of miniature today: something smaller than others of its class. Lesson and animation by Jessica Oreck. Learn more about your ad c...

Explore what happened after the Big Bang and how the battle between gravity and pressure shaped the structure of our universe.--It’s time for the biggest battle in the Universe: the Big Bang. In one corner is gravity— the force that brings all matter together. In the other is pressure— the force that can push matter away. Over the next several hundred thousand years, these two contenders will be w...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-an-atom-smashing-particle-accelerator-work-don-lincolnAn atom smasher, or particle accelerator, collides atomic nuclei together at extremely cold temperatures, very low air pressure, and hyperbolically fast speeds. Don Lincoln explains how scientists harness the power of both electric and magnetic fields to smash atoms, eventually leading to maj...

Dive into the ocean’s depths to see how the gigantic megalodon ruled the seas, and find out what caused its extinction.—20 million years ago, the ocean housed a creature so colossal that its stomach could reach volumes of almost 10,000 liters— big enough to fit an entire orca. It was the megalodon, the biggest shark to ever live. So, what was it like when megalodon ruled the seas? And what brought...

There have been remarkable advances in understanding the brain, but how do you actually study the neurons inside it? Using gorgeous imagery, neuroscientist and TED Fellow Carl Schoonover shows the tools that let us see inside our brains. Talk by Carl Schoonover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To find the path to long life and health, Dan Buettner and team study the world's "Blue Zones," communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. In his talk, he shares the 9 common diet and lifestyle habits that keep them spry past age 100. (Filmed at TEDxTC.)Talk by Dan Buettner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd—You and the professor have driven your DeLorean back to the past to fix issues with the spacetime continuum caused by your time traveling. But another DeLorean appears with older versions of you and the professor. The professors panic and explain that the universe could collapse now that you’re both in the same time and place. Can you me...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-magic-of-vedic-math-gaurav-tekriwalThere is more than one way to reach a correct answer in mathematics. Vedic math, an ancient Indian method, sidesteps traditional computations in a manner that provides a shortcut, while being fun to use and to learn. At TEDYouth 2012, to ooh's and aah's from the amazed crowd, Gaurav Tekriwal demonstrates the magic o...

Do nonhuman animals experience grief? Explore mourning in the animal kingdom to find out the answer to this tricky question.--In 2018, an orca called Tahlequah gave birth. But her daughter died within an hour. Tahlequah, however, didn’t leave her body. Over the next 17 days and 1,600 kilometers, she kept it afloat atop her own. By altering her feeding and travel patterns, Tahlequah’s behavior was...

Discover the extraordinary regenerative powers of the axolotl, a salamander native to Mexico and one of science’s most studied animals.--Axolotls are one of science’s most studied animals. Why, you ask? These extraordinary salamanders are masters of regeneration: they can flawlessly regenerate body parts ranging from amputated limbs and crushed spines to parts of their eyes and brains. So, how do...

It's an unfortunate reality in nearly every major city—road congestion, especially during rush hours. Jonas Eliasson reveals how subtly nudging just a small percentage of drivers to stay off major roads can make traffic jams a thing of the past. (Filmed at TEDxHelvetia.) Talk by Jonas Eliasson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the science of why Earth’s atmosphere is losing hydrogen, and find out what other leaks could affect life on our planet.--A hydrogen atom is traveling high within the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. This particular atom first entered the exosphere millions of years ago, but today it overcomes Earth’s gravitational pull and escapes, joining the roughly 90 tons of material that leak o...

Dig into the history of medieval European castles, and explore how the design of these formidable fortresses evolved over time.--Medieval European castles weren’t just for passive defense and withstanding enemy onslaughts; they were symbols of power, private residences, and hubs of governance. Castles regularly served as bases for launching attacks and as a way to control local populations. So, ho...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-zeno-s-dichotomy-paradox-colm-kelleherCan you ever travel from one place to another? Ancient Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea gave a convincing argument that all motion is impossible - but where's the flaw in his logic? Colm Kelleher illustrates how to resolve Zeno's Dichotomy Paradox. Lesson by Colm Kelleher, animation by Buzzco Associates, inc. L...

Examine the empty land theory, which was created by European colonizers in South Africa to support their claims to the region.--From the 1650s through the late 1800’s, European colonists descended on South Africa. They sought to claim the region, becoming even more aggressive after discovering the area’s abundant natural resources. To support their claims to the land, the colonizers asserted they...

When Nancy Lublin started texting teenagers to help with her social advocacy organization, what she found was shocking -- they started texting back about their own problems, from bullying to depression to abuse. So she's setting up a text-only crisis line, and the results might be even more important than she expected. Talk by Nancy Lublin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/every-city-needs-healthy-honey-bees-noah-wilson-richBees have been rapidly and mysteriously disappearing from rural areas, with grave implications for agriculture. But bees seem to flourish in urban environments -- and cities need their help, too. Noah Wilson-Rich suggests that urban beekeeping might play a role in revitalizing both a city and a species....

Dig into the history of the elite mercenaries known as condottieri, who were soldiers for hire for Italy's rich and powerful.--During the 14th and 15th centuries, mercenaries known as condottieri dominated Italian warfare, profiting from— and encouraging— the region’s intense political rivalries. As rulers competed for power and prestige, their disputes often played out in military conflicts, foug...

Practice more problem-solving at https://brilliant.org/TedEd--You and your best friend Bill are the greatest bards in the kingdom— but maybe not the brightest. Your hit song has insulted the king and now you’re slated for execution. Luckily, Death is a connoisseur of most excellent music and has decided to give you a chance to escape your fate. Can you beat him at a life-sized game of Snakes and L...

Eduardo Paes is the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, a sprawling, complicated, beautiful city of 6.5 million. He shares four big ideas about leading Rio -- and all cities -- into the future, including bold (and do-able) infrastructure upgrades and how to make a city "smarter." Talk by Eduardo Paes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-future-beyond-traffic-gridlock-bill-fordBill Ford is a car guy -- his great-grandfather was Henry Ford, and he grew up inside the massive Ford Motor Co. So when he worries about cars' impact on the environment, and about our growing global gridlock problem, it's worth a listen. His vision for the future of mobility includes "smart roads," even smarter...

Get to know 3 factors that can help you identify pseudoscience, and find out how it differs from actual science.--Pseudoscience is a set of theories, methods, and assumptions that appear scientific, but aren’t. In the worst cases, pseudoscience practitioners encourage this confusion to exploit people. But even when it's well-intentioned, pseudoscience can still prevent people from getting the help...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-i-must-speak-out-about-climate-change-james-hansenTop climate scientist James Hansen tells the story of his involvement in the science of and debate over global climate change. In doing so he outlines the overwhelming evidence that change is happening and why that makes him deeply worried about the future. Talk by James Hansen. Learn more about your...

Explore the defining features of being in a flow state, and get tips on how you can find flow in your daily life.--Flow is more than just concentrating or paying attention; it's a unique mental state of effortless engagement. And those who more frequently experience flow report higher levels of positive emotions, creativity, and feelings of accomplishment. But what exactly is flow? And how can we...