TED Talks Daily

The brilliance of bacteria (and how they combat waste) | Patricia Aymà Maldonado

Bacteria are the most incredible creatures on Earth, says biotechnologist and TED Fellow Patricia Aymà Maldonado. She presents a groundbreaking technology that “trains” bacteria to transform organic waste into biodegradable plastic that behaves like the real thing. Learn how this creative, sustainable approach could revolutionize the plastics industry. Following the talk, Lily James Olds, director of the TED Fellows program, interviews Maldonado on what it's like to make 100% biodegradable plastic at the tech company she co-founded, VEnvirotech, why the current recycling system actually increases plastic use, what other biotechnology companies can do to quickly scale for sustainability, and more. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Would you take a pill that made you love everyone? | Meghan Sullivan

What if the secret to a good life isn't just what you achieve but how deeply you love? Drawing on wisdom from Aristotle, Jesus and modern social psychology, philosopher Meghan Sullivan offers tips on how to expand your capacity for love, even in the face of our modern challenges. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Let's build AI data centers in space | Philip Johnston

AI is setting up residence in the final frontier, says technologist Philip Johnston. He shares the incredible work being undertaken to build data centers in outer space — and how they might harness both solar power and frigid temperatures in order to address the AI energy challenge. Learn more about the affordability of this wild idea and how it could address concerns about the resources needed to keep up with the AI boom. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Can you picture things in your mind? I can't | Alex Rosenthal

Picture this: a rocket ship crash-lands on a planet, and an alien approaches the spacecraft. What do you see in your mind when you visualize this scene? For Alex Rosenthal (and many others), the answer is: absolutely nothing. Exploring the fascinating science of aphantasia, or the inability to generate mental images, he shows why our minds are much more different than we think. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What gets lost when we treat conversations like transactions | Khaya Dlanga

The most powerful stories are the ones told simply to connect with each other, says author Khaya Dlanga. Through humorous anecdotes and moving memories, he explores why it's the conversations we have without strategy or agenda that actually allow us to see one another. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.