From the construction of virtual realities to the internet of things to the watches on our wrists—technology's influence is everywhere. Its role in our lives is evolving fast, and we're faced with riveting questions and tough challenges that sit at the intersection of technology and humanity. Listen in every Friday, with host, journalist Sherrell Dorsey, as TED speakers explore the way tech shapes how we think about society, science, design, business, and more.
Follow Sherrell on Instagram @sherrell_dorsey and on LinkedIn @sherrelldorsey
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What if we live in a world where infrastructure maintenance is regenerative? Roads, bridges, and buildings won’t have to rely on taxes or tolls to finance repair, but are constructed with materials capable for self-repair? In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on how two engineers are rethinking ways to design infrastructure that’s greener and more sustainable.Talks featuredThe brilliance of bridges and roads that repair themselves | Mark MiodownikWhat if cracks in concrete could fix themselves? | Congrui JinLearn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast---------------------------------------------------------------Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From its life-sustaining energy to its explosive geomagnetic storms, the Sun has many mysteries, says astrophysicist Nour E. Rawafi. He sheds light on NASA's latest endeavor to better understand our fiery neighbor and its impact on the future of society: sending the cutting-edge Parker Solar Probe deep into the Sun's atmosphere in humanity's closest-ever approach to a star.This episode originally aired in 2025.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast---------------------------------------------------------------Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Algorithms and AI don’t show us reality, but that doesn’t stop people from treating ChatGPT and online bots as our personalized therapists, travel planners, and editors. In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on how AI is changing the way we’re influenced. From shaping our language to becoming “middle managers of our own thoughts,” these speakers ask what happens when we offload critical thinking to a machine.Talks featuredWhy are people starting to sound like ChatGPT? | Adam AleksicHow to stop AI from killing your critical thinking | Advait SarkarLearn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast---------------------------------------------------------------Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From local parks to the Amazon rainforest, trees provide shade and shelters for humans, animals, insects, and many other living creatures. They’re the lungs of our planets, but they’re being threatened by deforestation. In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on what happens if the entire Amazon rainforest disappears… and how one land reformer is using satellite imagery to hold tree cutters accountable.Talk featuredIs the Amazon Rainforest disappearing? | Anna RothschildHow to see (and stop) deforestation from space | Tasso AzevedoLearn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast---------------------------------------------------------------Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is it effective to engage with politics on social media — and what does it take to make actual change? Katherine Cross is a researcher on online harassment and the author of Log Off: Why Posting and Politics (Almost) Never Mix. She shares why she believes social media is “anti-political” and how virtual engagement will not achieve the necessary political work for us. Katherine and Chris also discuss the limitations of short-form content in conveying decades of geopolitical strife, why our lives would be better off without social media, and the guardrails platforms could utilize to help users engage with posts critically and to slow down viral misinformation.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast---------------------------------------------------------------Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.