Andrew Solomon:  Love, No Matter What

explore-blog:

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change,” researcher-storyteller Brené Brown famously said. In her absolutely fantastic TED 2012 talk, a complement to her equally eloquent 2010 talk on vulnerability,  she digs deep into the unspoken epidemic of shame and the spectrum of broken behavior it engenders. 

Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection, is a must-read. 

voguedissent:

The longest standing ovation for a TED talk, on the heels on data that Black students face more discipline than their white peers.

fuminggorilla:

TED talk - Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

Not familiar with TED talks? Check ‘em out. Many very interesting, thought provoking and entertaining segments.

nb-g:

We believe that we should work to be happy, but could that be backwards? In this fast-moving and entertaining talk from TEDxBloomington, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that actually happiness inspires productivity.

This is a really funny and really interesting TED talk. Bookmark for later if you don’t have time to watch it now.

douglas-leech:

Copyright math, it makes sense! Lets waste some more time on this congress, it’s SUPER IMPORTANT!

dianayu:

The Power of Vulnerability

Brene Brown

Ted Talk

Andrew Bird’s one-man orchestra of the imagination

His musical presentation at the TED talks.

explore-blog:

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt on the science of religion, evolution, and why we seek self-transcendence. Haidt is the author of The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, which succeeds his excellent The Happiness Hypothesis. 

Also see Haidt’s Edge presentation on the subject.

Improv Everywhere: Spinning Beach Ball of Death

This is not your usual TED talk.

Stuff I need to know

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.

Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them – we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.

Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and the withholding of affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can only survive these injuries if they are acknowledged, healed and rare.”
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

Stuff I recommend

I try to learn new stuff constantly, it keeps my mind from rusting too much.   In my pursuit of new ideas and knowledge, I enjoy watching TED talk videos.  One that really struck home with me was this one by Brene Brown on the price of invulnerability.  Apparently, I was not the only person it has impressed as it is one of the most popular TED talks.  I recommend it highly.

TEDxKC talk synopsis: In our anxious world, we often protect ourselves by closing off parts of our lives that leave us feeling most vulnerable. Yet invulnerability has a price. When we knowingly or unknowingly numb ourselves to what we sense threatens us, we sacrifice an essential tool for navigating uncertain times — joy. This talk will explore how and why fear and collective scarcity has profoundly dangerous consequences on how we live, love, parent, work and engage in relationships — and how simple acts can restore our sense of purpose and meaning.

Speaker: Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work where she has spent the past 10 years studying courage, shame and authenticity. She is the Behavioral Health Scholar-in-Residence at the Council on Alcohol and Drugs and has written several books on her research.
www.brenebrown.com/welcome