Incredible people surround us every day. Everyone has a story, something to share with the world. Whether you are looking for a burst of inspiration during a long week, are in need of a break from doing homework or are simply in the mood for something cool and interesting, these TED Talks have got you covered.
1. Cameron Russell: Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model.
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Fashion model Cameron Russell talks not only about the images we see that are constructed misrepresentations of real life, but also about the privileges she has been afforded and why they need to be talked about. Her talk touches on so many important issues, such as white privilege, insecurity, and the difference between reality and what we are made to believe is reality. This one really makes you stop and think about all the manufactured social hierarchies that we are a part of without even realizing it.
2. Sam Berns: My philosophy for a happy life
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Sam Berns, who suffers from progeria (a genetic disorder which causes rapid and early aging), shocks the audience when he says that he lives "a very happy life." He outlines his three-part philosophy for living happily. We are so quick to pity those who have overcome adversity, and to praise them for being happy in spite of the issues they deal with. But Sam proves that anyone— even those who aren't dealing with a medical disorder or some other great travesty— can live a happy life, and that it really has nothing to do with what you are or are not dealing with.
3. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: We should all be feminists
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This is a long one, but if you have the time to spare, it is absolutely worth it. Something of a feminist origin story, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie does not just share her experiences as a feminist; she also provides her solution to patriarchal gender constructions that hurt both women and men. Her talk is witty and rife with her sharp analysis of how the microcosm of Nigerian society and the macrocosm of world society demand that we all be feminists.
4. Adam Leipzig: How to know your life purpose in 5 minutes
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Adam Leipzig made a startling realization at his 25th college reunion at Yale University— he realized that 80% of his former peers were unhappy with their lives. In his talk, he outlines five components to finding personal meaning in life, all involving an outward-facing mindset, in which we focus more on others' happiness, as opposed to the self-centered inward-facing mindset that we usually default to. His method is quick and easy, and really helps you put your life into perspective.
5. Magnus Walker: Go with your gut feeling
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This talk in particular will make you want to just do it. Magnus Walker encourages you to follow your heart— rather than your head —to turn your dreams into your reality.
6. Apollo Robbins: The art of misdirection
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This talk is super cool. Apollo Robbins, considered the "greatest pickpocket in the world," uses psychology to explain how we let so much of the world around us slip by, and shares how we can work to be more aware of everything that happens around us. His presentation is fascinating and engaging, and above all, it is incredibly eye-opening.
7. Sarah Kay: If I should have a daughter ...
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Sarah Kay is a spoken word poet who travels all around the world sharing her craft with other people. I first saw this video in my AP English Literature class during my senior year of high school; it spoke to me then, and it still speaks to me now. Sarah's outlook on life has such a beautiful naïvety to it; she encourages everyone to go about life not guarded against pain and sorrow and heartbreak, but with open arms ready to accept all the good and all the bad, because it is both the good and the bad— this relativity —that make our lives interesting and worth living.
