Laura Shulz: The Surprisingly Logical Minds Of Babies

It is always amazing to watch babies and children learn and grow.  We are amazed at how they seem to gather so much information and grow so fast, even when there isn't any teaching.  Here Laura explains how having no previous experience allows a child's mind to remain logical instead of being biased by experience.  This fascinating talk will help us appreciate how children learn, and how we can remain "new" to the world as we pursue our answers in life. 

Yassmin Abdel-Magied: What Does My Headscarf Mean To You?

Often we try to define who we are by finding what makes us different. That natural tendency to put ourselves into groups may have been helpful in a culturally homogenous world.  But today, we are not superficial creatures, and what we wear or what we look like is not enough to judge others.  Yassmin gives us an amazing call to action to see into the hearts of those around us, and to put aside our fear of the unknown. 

Alice Goffman: How We're Priming Some Kids For College-And Others For Prison

Alice Goffman: How We're Priming Some Kids For College-And Others For Prison

As Baltimore struggles to find its future, we must recognize both halves of the story.  I personally resonate with Alice's account of how I experienced being let off the hook as a young person.  I don't have a criminal record, and maybe it's more then my good behavior that made it possible. 

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Nick Hanauer: Beware, Fellow Plutocrats, The Pitchforks Are Coming

Nick Hanauer: Beware, Fellow Plutocrats, The Pitchforks Are Coming

In light of recent events, it is worth looking back and the wise words of this billionaire who attested that a society will not tolerate inequality for long.  Though racism is a real issue, I wish to also give proper respect for the trans-ethnic reality of poverty, economic depression, and stolen opportunity that mismanagement and greed create for our citizens. 

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Nick Bostrom: What Happens When Our Computers Get Smarter Then We Are?

Dystopian stories of a future where computers take over the earth isn't just the brain child of screen writers and fiction authors.  We are on an evolutionary fast track, and technology is an important part of that. In this brilliant talk by Nick Bostrom, we hear some level headed facts about what technology is capable of, and start the conversation about what we are going to do about it now. 

Dan Ariely: How Equal Do We Want The World To Be? You'd Be Surprised.

As a human, we have the most advanced mental capacity evolution and creation has ever known.  Our ability to anticipate and expect our environment has given us the ability to maximize our situation.  But these expectations do not always match reality, and in fact we are learning that for most of us our expectations are actually not based in reality at all. Here, Dan Ariely tells us how this has applied to our society as a whole.