Using the Internet to really find out about the world

I was talking to a friend just recently, a well-educated, switched, on double degree carrying medical doctor, and discovered he did not know what a TED Talk was. “How does that happen?” I thought. This man is a leader in his field, uses social media, the internet, online education options, has children  – and he doesn’t know what a TED Talk is!

I’ve learnt a lot from TED Talks. I’m not even sure why I know about them but they have been a great enrichment for my life. I admit, occasionally they are silly, occasionally they state the obvious but they are almost always entertaining and educational one way or another.

My current favourite TED speaker is Hans Rosling.  Wikipedia describes him as a Swedish medical doctor, academic statistician and public speaker and Professor of Global Health at the Karolinska Institute. This man really knows how to entertain and educate at the same time!

Start your exploration aptly with the TED Talk which Hans presents with his son Ola who is not quite as funny as his wonderful father but just as interesting.

If you enjoy that have a look at Hans doing his own thing in 2010 in a video called, On Global Population Growth, which will teach you something about the world as well as something about effective teaching methods!

If you want more, or you prefer more modern digital presentation of information, look at this older presentation.  It makes learning about the world a joy.

Have a look around the TED talks and you will find talks that could really enrich your professional and your personal life.