TED-Ed

400 years ago, Edo was on the verge of ecological collapse. Years of intense logging had led to massive deforestation and the city faced timber shortages, severe erosion, and frequent flooding. But over just a few decades, Edo became one of the most sustainable and efficient cities in history. So, how did this come about? Roman Krznaric explores Edo's transformation into a circular economy. Lesson by Roman Krznaric, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet.

It’s just before dawn in 1906 at Wroxton Abbey, and 16-year-old Alice Sutton’s mind is already spinning. The underhousemaid has a full day ahead of her as the estate prepares for the evening’s guest: Prince Arthur. This is Alice’s chance to prove herself to her new employers — but there are other forces at play. Stephanie Honchell Smith details a day in the life of a servant in Edwardian England. Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Anton Bogaty.

A fleet of rebel spaceships is greeted by a frenzy of laser blasts – illuminating the sector with brilliant bursts of light. Science fiction has shown us scenes like this for decades, but the lasers in our daily lives seem far less dazzling and destructive. So, could sci-fi laser weaponry ever exist? And how do lasers even work in the first place? Christopher Baird investigates. Lesson by Christopher Baird, directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio.

Inspired by a king’s visit, a trio of siblings began building a palace, traveling far and wide to collect rare jewels, seeds, and marble. A holy man stopped by and told them of a Magic Mountain, east of north and north of east, where they’d find their most meaningful treasures. But, he said, only a true hero could complete the journey. Malay Bera shares the Bengali tale of Kiranmala's quest. Lesson by Malay Bera, directed by Héloïse Dorsan-Rachet. Although this folktale exists in multiple oral variants across the Bengali-speaking world, this video is based on a variant akin to the better-known literary version, “Kironmala", from Thakurmar Jhuli (1907), an anthology of Bengali folktales collected by Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumdar in the early 20th century.

Jo the First is a ruthless dictator who rules with an iron fist. To most onlookers, his rule appears cruel and unjust. But for his beloved son JoJo, this life is all he’s ever known and he grows up to inherit his father’s role and style of rule. Given JoJo’s unusual upbringing, does he bear full moral responsibility for his actions? Michael Vazquez and Sarah Stroud dig into this ethical dilemma. Lesson by Michael Vazquez and Sarah Stroud, directed by Skirmanta Jakaitė, Art Shot.

Professional musicians share what makes a great pop song, and how to grow your songwriting skills to make your music stand out.

If any of his wives ever birthed a son, he’d be killed immediately. That was the threat Shemwindo, ruler of the village of Tubondo, had delivered, for he wanted all the power to himself. But he was about to meet his match— and enter a rivalry that would take him to the underworld and back. Joseph Mbele shares the epic journey of Mwindo and his quest for vengeance. Lesson by Joseph Mbele, directed by Raghav Arumugam, Jagriti Khirwar.

In the 1st century CE, Emperor Tiberius made an unprecedented decision: banning kissing at all public events. This move was aimed at thwarting a puzzling outbreak, which many historians believe was an epidemic of oral herpes. Today, more than half the population is infected with herpes simplex virus. So, what causes herpes? And how can we treat it? Christine Johnston examines this stealthy virus. Lesson by Christine Johnston, directed by Igor Ćorić, Artrake Studio.

The Viking Age. When medieval, horn-helmeted Scandinavian men ravaged Europe, scribbling mysterious runes and toasting their victories in goblets forged from enemy skulls before bidding farewell in fiery funerals. Except… that’s not quite how it went. So, what were the Vikings actually like? Stephanie H. Smith debunks common misconceptions about the time period. Lesson by Stephanie H. Smith, directed by Avi Ofer.

Our bodies are constantly producing, purging, and recycling secretions to fulfill all sorts of functions. Our reproductive organs are no exception. Vaginas are engaged in ongoing cycles of fluid discharge. But it can be hard to know what is "normal" when there’s a taboo in talking about it. So, what’s healthy discharge? And when is there cause for concern? Elizabeth Micks investigates. Lesson by Elizabeth Micks, directed by Juliana Erazo.

In 1900, Greek divers stumbled upon a 2,000-year-old shipwreck whose contents would shake our understanding of the ancient world. Among the remains were fragments of mangled wood and corroded metal, which archaeologists soon realized were parts of the oldest geared device ever discovered — and humankind’s first computer. So, how did it work? Max G. Levy explains the Antikythera mechanism. Lesson by Max G. Levy, directed by Vicente Numpaque, Hernando Bahamon, Globizco Studios.

Period pain affects hundreds of millions of people. Anywhere from 50 to 90% of people who menstruate deal with painful abdominal or pelvic cramps during their period. Individual experiences can vary, from mild discomfort, to throbbing aches, to contraction-like cramps that rival the pain of labor. So, why do menstrual cramps hurt so much? Chen X. Chen explains this surprisingly common experience. Lesson by Chen X. Chen, directed by Caitlin McCarthy.

In 1856, quarriers working in Germany’s Neander Valley discovered several mysterious fossils. The remains changed hands until being identified as the skullcap and femur bones of something ancient and human, but not quite us. It soon became clear they belonged to an extinct human species— the first ever known to science: Neanderthals. Bruce Hardy explores what happened to our evolutionary cousins. Lesson by Bruce Hardy, directed by Daniel Harisberger, Team Tumult.

Professional musicians share what makes for great, memorable lyrics, their writing process, and where they get inspiration from.

In the 19th century, Scottish surgeon James Braid revolutionized the field of hypnotism, transitioning the practice towards inducing a sleep-like state. Today, hypnosis is used in psychiatry as a helpful medical tool, yet it still holds an entrancing place in popular fantasy. So, is there any truth to what it can accomplish? Or is it just illusion? Devin Terhune explores the power of suggestion. Lesson by Devin Terhune, directed by Leah Putnam.

After winning the lottery, one of the first decisions you’d have to make is how you want your winnings to be paid out. You can choose the full jackpot amount, paid out in annual installments over 30 years. Or you can take a much smaller lump sum paid out immediately. So, which is the better option? Explore the financial implications of annuity and lump sum payments. Directed by Anton Bogaty.

Humans have been fashioning caps since the dawn of civilization. A bearskin cap from the Bronze Age is one of the earliest surviving hats, discovered alongside Europe’s oldest mummy. Hats aren’t just for keeping heads warm or making a fashion statement— they’ve been used throughout history as a symbol of status, power, and politics. Alison L. Goodrum traces the illustrious history of headwear. Lesson by Alison L. Goodrum, directed by Biljana Labović.

In a 2021 study, researchers asked over 500 participants to explain how the morning-after pill worked. Despite these pills’ widespread use, 60% answered incorrectly. Emergency contraceptives are often misunderstood— even the phrase “the morning-after pill” is a misnomer. So, how do they work? Alison Edelman explores how two main types of emergency contraception disrupt or delay ovulation. Lesson by Alison Edelman, directed by Magali García.

The human body’s 206 bones come in many shapes and sizes: short bones, long bones, flat bones, irregular bones. Roughly 50% of people will break a bone at some point in their lives. But whether the cause is as mundane as a slip on the ice or as dramatic as a tightrope-walking accident, how do our broken bones heal? Gurpreet Baht and Natalie Pang dig into the incredible biological process. Lesson by Gurpreet Baht and Natalie Pang, directed by Eliška Oz, Lee Oz, Oz Animation.

At age 44, Xie Qiuping cut her hair for the first time in over three decades. Her impressive locks extended over 5 meters — earning the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest hair. But even with this record-setting feat, her hair might not have reached its maximum possible length. So, just how long can human hair actually grow? Maksim Plikus digs into what factors influence hair growth. Lesson by Maksim Plikus, directed by Matt Partridge.

Plastic is everywhere. It’s in our clothes, our food, the air we breathe. And plastic is now also in our bodies. Micro and nanoplastics generally enter our bodies in one of three ways: the air, our skin, and what we eat and drink. But how exactly do these microscopic particles affect our health? Dig into how they can interrupt your body’s processes, and how we can begin to fix our plastic problem. Directed by Vicente Nirõ, AIM Creative Studios.

Elections are tools that ensure a nation’s citizens all have an equal political voice. But these so-called “great equalizers” are often plagued by corruption, partisan divides, and uninformed voters. Which is why some of democracy’s first and most famous practitioners used a different approach: sortition. Michael Vazquez explores how this system could address modern democracy's biggest problems. Lesson by Michael Vazquez, directed by Avi Ofer.

Today, there are over 100 distinct beer varieties, from pilsners and bocks, to porters, stouts, and IPAs. The oldest evidence of beer brewing dates back 13,000 years, but experts believe the drink developed independently across the world. So, how did ancient civilizations brew beer, and how did their methods develop into the beverage we know today? Malcolm Purinton traces the evolution of beer. Lesson Malcolm Purinton, directed by Anton Bogaty.

Professional songwriters share their writing process, how they collaborate with other artists, and what it takes to be a songwriter.

Of the many, many things we’re not supposed to snack on, perhaps the most common forbidden food is silica gel. This tiny packet pops up in packaging for everything — from TVs and guitar cases to sunscreen and snack foods. So why is silica gel everywhere, and what would actually happen if you ate it? Vivian Jiang digs into the science of this pervasive product. Lesson by Vivian Jiang, directed by Denys Spolitak.

For centuries, Parisians had buried their dead in the Cemetery of the Innocents. By the 18th century, the grounds had become overcrowded — spewing foul odors across the city. Residents worried that it posed a public health threat, and petitioned the government for a solution. But where could they move millions of remains? Stephanie H. Smith explores the vast, underground network of the Catacombs. Lesson by Stephanie H. Smith, directed by Laura Jayne Hod

Since slithering onto the scene some 150 million years ago, evolving length and limbless-ness out of their ancestral lizard forms, snakes have diversified rapidly. Their noodly bodies and flexible heads granted them access to novel places and prey. And today, there are nearly 4,000 snake species, spanning habitats high and low. Niko Zlotnik explores how snakes evolved into incredible predators.

Amia and her friend Zelba have been inseparable for nearly a year. They share secrets, play games, and rule over imaginary kingdoms. Amia sometimes has bad ideas, and Zelba goes along with them anyway. Amia is very real, but Zelba... is not. So, what leads kids to create these fictional figures? Explore why children invent imaginary companions and what skills they can develop through pretend play.

Contrary to popular belief, "The Thinker" sculpture isn’t just a universal symbol of eternal contemplation. French sculptor Auguste Rodin intended it to represent a specific person— and fit into a much larger piece featuring the fiery pits of Hell. So, who was "The Thinker," and what was he actually thinking? Noah Charney digs into the secrets of this infamous work of art.

The best play environments offer freedom and novelty that kids can explore as much or as little as they like. But traditional playgrounds don’t offer much flexibility— swings, slides, and climbing frames are hardly novel structures. So, how do we create better play spaces? Explore the cognitive benefits of risky play and how we can design playgrounds that promote fun, agency, and development.

In the 1950s, citizens flocked to newsstands to pick up the latest edition of a story set hundreds of years in the past — a multigenerational tale of adventure and war, romance and intrigue, brotherhood and betrayal. Jin Yong’s epic "Legend of the Condor Heroes" is considered one of Hong Kong’s most important works of fiction. Gladys Mac digs into this beloved sweeping saga of the steppes.

"Think Like A Musician" connects you with working musicians who want to help the music-curious and music-passionate hone and share the gift of music with the world. Part interview, part animated course, our second season "Think Like A Songwriter" features artists sharing their insight on the ins and outs of fine-tuning your songwriting and crafting timeless, memorable music.

Grammatical rules have caused heated debate in various regions and languages for centuries. But while we know people take grammar seriously, what’s less clear is, why? Where do these seemingly random rules come from, and which, if any, actually matter? Arika Okrent takes a closer look at three famous examples from the English language that have been the source of numerous grammatical arguments.

In Italy, it’s called il gioco del cucù. Palestinians say ba' 'éno. And in Japan, it’s inaīnaibā! Peek-a-boo is a near universal source of laughter and connection for infants and adults— it’s the first game that almost everyone plays. So what is it about this goofy game that babies love so much? Dig into how this simple game promotes the development of our cognitive, motor, and social skills.

Scanning the crime scene, Officer Stone sees a disorderly room, visible red-brown stains and a partial shoe track— all hinting at a bloody struggle. After calling in a team to inspect, photograph, sketch, measure, and collect all the evidence, the investigators apply Luminol. So, what is Luminol and why is it used at crime scenes? Theodore E. Yeshion shines a light on the investigative tool.

In December 2023, Icelandic citizens experienced their worst nightmare: a volcanic fissure opened and began spewing lava fountains 100 meters tall. While the molten rock narrowly avoided a small town, Iceland wasn’t willing to leave anyone's fate to chance again and began preparing for future eruptions. Arianna Soldati explores 3 potential strategies to control these red-hot rivers of destruction.

Before the last few centuries, children around the world spent most of their time learning through play: observing and mimicking adults, roaming their surroundings, and sharing what they learned with friends and family. Many communities and educators still believe play is one of the best teachers we have. Explore the benefits and challenges of using self-directed play-based learning in schools.

Looking to avoid the plague devastating his country, Prince Prospero summons a thousand nobles from his court and sequesters them in his abbey. Months into their seclusion, the Prince throws a lavish masquerade ball held in seven colored rooms. But amidst the revelry, a mysterious shrouded figure appears. Iseult Gillespie shares Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story, “The Masque of the Red Death.” Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Mohammad Babakoohi, Yijia Cao.

In 1885, Joseph Meister was bit in 14 places by a rabid dog. His mother rushed him to Paris for an experimental vaccine from Louis Pasteur, and he became the first rabies-vaccinated person to survive. Today, without proper intervention, rabies remains deadly in almost all cases. So, what makes it so dangerous to humans? Charles Rupprecht explores what makes this infectious disease so lethal. Lesson by Charles Rupprecht, directed by Anton Bogaty.

To escape Germanic invaders, people fled into the Venetian Lagoon in the 6th century. The settlers set out to tame the mudflats and built a foundation in the marshy maze to support heavier, longer-lasting structures. Little did they know, this system of wood, water, and mud would still be supporting an infamous floating city 1,500 years later. Stephanie H. Smith explores the history of Venice.

Archaeologists have found material, visual, and written evidence for toys across the ancient world. In 3000 BCE Anatolia, miniature toy carriages raced through the dirt. In the Indus Valley a thousand years later, a toddler giggled at the sound of their terracotta whistle. So, what other playthings have delighted us through history? Trace the ancient origins of toys, games, and play traditions.

"Think Like A Musician" connects you with working musicians who want to help the music-curious and music-passionate hone and share the gift of music with the world. Part interview, part animated course, our second season "Think Like A Songwriter" features artists sharing their insight on the ins and outs of fine-tuning your songwriting and crafting timeless, memorable music.