Activism needs introverts

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This week on TED.com November 26, 2017

Talk of the week Sarah Corbett: Activism needs introverts 13:57 minutes · Filmed Nov 2016 · Posted Nov 2017 · TEDxYouth@Bath Almost everyone has a cause they love and want to support, but for the introverts among us, the traditional forms of activism -- the marches, the protests, the door-to-door canvassing -- can be really intimidating. Take it from Sarah Corbett, an activist and self-proclaimed introvert. She introduces us to "craftivism," a quieter form of activism that uses handicrafts in clever ways to help people think deeply about the issues they're facing. Who says an embroidered handkerchief can't change the world? Watch now »

Playlist of the week The power of asking As these talks reveal: Some things are more within your grasp than you may think ... especially if you ask. Watch » 4 TED Talks • Total run time 48:11

This week's new TED Talks In this spectacular rant, marketing prof Scott Galloway breaks down the increasing power of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. How did these four companies come to infiltrate our lives so completely? You'll hear insights and eye-opening stats about their dominance and motivation -- and what happens when a society prizes shareholder value over everything else. Followed by a thoughtful Q&A with TED Curator Chris Anderson. (Note: This talk contains graphic language.) Watch » Across the world, the "informal economy" -- made up of small shops and stands, skilled craftspeople and day laborers -- is the invisible engine that keeps the economy running. It's tempting to think of these workers as tax-dodgers, even criminals -- but Niti Bhan, who studies informal markets in Africa, makes the case that this booming segment of the economy is legitimate and worthy of investment. "These are the fertile seeds of businesses and enterprises," Bhan says. "Can we start by recognizing these skills and occupations?" Watch » We all know that when we make decisions in large groups, they don't always go right -- and sometimes they go very wrong. How can groups make good decisions? With his colleague Dan Ariely, neuroscientist Mariano Sigman has been inquiring into how we interact to reach decisions -- and performing experiments with live crowds to find out. In this fun, fact-filled explainer video, he shares some intriguing early results on people can think better together. Watch » Leah Chase's New Orleans restaurant Dooky Chase changed the course of American history over gumbo and fried chicken. During the civil rights movement, it was a place where white and black people came together, where activists planned protests and where the police entered but did not disturb, and it continues to operate in the same spirit today. In conversation with TEDWomen Curator Pat Mitchell, the 94-year old Queen of Creole Cuisine shares wisdom from a lifetime of speaking up, building relationships -- and cooking. Watch »

Read more on ideas.ted.com Wisdom: Brilliant life advice from seniors >> Hard-won wisdom from long, well-lived lives We humans: Would democracy work better on the jury system? Read more about intriguing research into group decision-making Science: Could these three moons help us find life beyond Earth? Three moons in our solar system have oceans -- and maybe the conditions for life

Quote of the Week “ We've personified these companies, and just as when you're really angry over every little thing someone does in your life and relationships, you've got to ask yourself, 'What's going on here? Why are we so disappointed in technology?' I believe it's because the ratio of 1 percent pursuit of shareholder value and 99 percent the betterment of humanity that technology used to play has been flipped, and now we're totally focused on shareholder value instead of humanity." Scott Galloway How Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google manipulate our emotions

ted radio hour: big data revolution Once invisible details of our lives can now be tracked and turned into data. Will this make life easier or more complicated? This hour, TED speakers imagine how Big Data will reshape our world. Get the TED Radio Hour on Apple Podcasts, directly through the TED Android App, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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