“TED is a platform for ideas worth spreading… On TED.com we're building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world's most inspired thinkers – and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.”  -TED.com

Here at Anythink, our mission is to open doors for curious minds. One of the best resources I have discovered that lines up with this goal is TED Talks. TED stands for technology, entertainment and design, and this non-profit organization now covers an enormously diverse range of topics. The videos are short presentations (all under 25 minutes) given by people who are not only experts in their chosen areas, but passionate. Each talk is fascinating, hopeful and often inspiring. Don’t take my word for it though – explore the site and let us know what you learn.

Here are some links to TED Talk suggestions from Anythink staff to get you started:

Brian Dettmer – "Old books reborn as art"

This talk takes a look at how Brian Dettmer creates sculptures out of old books. You can check out this book that features his work from the Anythink catalog. 

Amanda Palmer – "The art of asking"

This talk was one of the most popular with Anythink staff, and is about being able to ask for help in a world that discourages it. Amanda Palmer also just published this book, which expands upon her TED Talk. 

Chimamanda Adichie – "The danger of a single story"

Stories give readers a glimpse of a different world. Adichie speaks about how important it is to have stories from many different cultures and perspectives. Take a look at the books she has written if you like her talk.

Jane McGonigal – "Gaming can make a better world"

Are we really gaming too much? Jane McGonigal speaks about how gaming could be a way to tackle real world problems, a topic which she also covers in her book. 

Shane Koyczan – "To this day … for the bullied and the beautiful"

This one is my personal favorite. In it, Koyczan recites a poem about being bullied and those people who are marginalized by society. You can find the poem in book-form as well. It's an incredible rallying call, and will give you food for thought and leave you feeling hopeful.

Pam Sandlian Smith – "What to expect from libraries in the 21st century"

And finally, our very own Pam Sandlian Smith did a talk about libraries in the 21st century that highlights why libraries are important, and what Anythink has been able to bring to our community. 

What are your favorite talks?