TED2020. What to watch
This is a selection of talks from TED2020, which was an online conference over 8 weeks.
1- Start by listening to instrumental music so you get yourself comfortable in a listening mood. I loved Sheku and Isata Kanneh Mason, who played at TED2020.
Virtuosic cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, whose standout performance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made waves with music fans across the world, joined his sister, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, for an intimate living room performance of “Muse” by Sergei Rachmaninov and “Spring Song” by Frank Bridge.
2- Tracy Edwards.
“Life doesn’t go from A to B — it’s messy,” says sailing legend Tracy Edwards. In this inspiring talk, she tells how she went from teenage misfit to skipper of the first all-female crew in the toughest race on the seas — and how she now helps young people around the world achieve their dreams, too.A quote from her talk:
“This is about teaching girls: you don’t have to look a certain way; you don’t have to feel a certain way; you don’t have to behave a certain way. You can be successful. You can follow your dreams. You can fight for them.”
https://www.ted.com/talks/tracy_edwards_stop_being_a_bystander_in_your_own_life
3- Swizz Beatz.
Legendary hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz is on a mission to revolutionize the way artists do business. In this glorious talk, he shares some of the ways he’s helping fellow creatives thrive, including a roving art fair that gives artists 100 percent of their sales, a new commission system for galleries to fund living visual artists and Verzuz, online musical celebrations that bring joy to fans — and sales to musicians. “If we’re not protecting the arts, we’re not protecting our future,” he says.
https://www.ted.com/talks/swizz_beatz_how_to_support_and_celebrate_living_artists
4- Jad Abumrad.
How do you end a story? Host of “Radiolab” Jad Abumrad tells how his search for an answer led him home to the mountains of Tennessee, where he met an unexpected teacher: Dolly Parton.
https://www.ted.com/talks/jad_abumrad_how_dolly_parton_led_me_to_an_epiphany
5- Amanda Gorman poetry.
https://youtu.be/xwOvBv8RLmo
6- Russell Wilson.
Athletes train their bodies to run faster, jump higher, throw farther — so why don’t they train their minds, too? Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson talks about the power of “neutral thinking,” which helps him thrive under pressure (both on the field and off) — and shows how you can use this mindset to make the right moves in your own life.
https://www.ted.com/talks/russell_wilson_my_secret_to_staying_focused_under_pressure
7- Shantell Martin.
Who are you? To answer this question, artist Shantell Martin followed her pen. In this brilliantly visual talk featuring her signature freestyle line work — drawn across everything from the screens of Times Square to the bodies of New York City Ballet dancers — Martin shares how she found freedom and a new perspective through art. See how drawing can connect your hand to your heart and deepen your connection with the world.
https://www.ted.com/talks/shantell_martin_how_drawing_can_set_you_free
8- Adeola Fayehun
“Africa is like a sleeping giant,” says journalist and satirist Adeola Fayehun at the beginning of this hilarious, incisive talk. “The truth is I am trying to wake up this giant. That’s why I air the dirty laundry of those in charge.” Follow along as she roasts corrupt African officials and shows why the continent already has all it needs to take its rightful place on the world stage — if only leaders would start taking responsibility.
https://www.ted.com/talks/adeola_fayehun_africa_is_a_sleeping_giant_i_m_trying_to_wake_it_up
9- Ethan Hawke.
Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another — and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. “There is no path till you walk it,” he says.
https://www.ted.com/talks/ethan_hawke_give_yourself_permission_to_be_creative
10- Debbie Millman.
In a series of visual, animated love letters, designer Debbie Millman reflects on the things she’s grateful for by exploring the wonders of her garden, New York City, travel and storytelling. “As we navigate through this crisis, I’m hopeful we will find some solace together,” she says.
https://www.ted.com/talks/debbie_millman_love_letters_to_what_we_hold_dear
11- Eric Whitacre. TED has not published Eric's video from TED2020, but stay tuned to watch it when it becomes available because it is truly beautiful.
I hope you enjoyed my selection.
