TEDTalks 2011 Countdown (SLIDESHOW)

In this special year-end collaboration, TED and The Huffington Post counted down 18 great ideas of 2011, and featured the full TEDTalk with original blog posts that we think will shape 2012. Watch, engage and share these groundbreaking ideas in the order they were unveiled, including never-seen-before TEDTalk premieres.

Download the limited edition podcasts from iTunes here.

• (Premiere) #17: Kathryn Schulz: On Regret

  At a time of year when most people are looking to the future and enumerating their resolutions for the new year, I encourage you to take a moment and dwell on your regrets instead. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/kathryn-schulz-on-regret_n_1120765.html" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #16: Deb Roy: The Birth of A Word

  We are creating learning systems to interpret the intended meaning of social media comments made "in the wild." We call our television data set the TV Genome. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/05/deb-roy-the-birth-of-a-wo_n_1120762.html" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #15: Sebastian Thrun: Google's Driverless Car

  Self-driving cars can make traffic safer, as they never blink or focus on switching the radio station. They have no blind spots, and they can simultaneously process information at a rate that no human can match. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/06/self-driving-car_n_1130568.html" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #14: Rebecca MacKinnon: Let's Take Back the Internet!

  Self-driving cars can make traffic safer, as they never blink or focus on switching the radio station. They have no blind spots, and they can simultaneously process information at a rate that no human can match. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/07/internet-freedom_n_1133513.html" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #13: Naomi Klein: Addicted to Risk

  As a culture we have been far too willing to gamble with things that are precious and irreplaceable. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/08/naomi-klein-risk_n_1136389.html?1323359829" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #12: Graham Hill: Less Stuff, More Happiness

  We are showing people that we can have everything we need, and that our lives and planet will be happier, healthier and more beautiful using less stuff and space. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/09/life-editing_n_1138817.html?1323446551" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #11: Julia Bacha: Pay Attention to Nonviolence

  We should all take notice of the scores of Palestinians and Israelis currently working at the grassroots to resolve the conflict and end the occupation. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/12/nonviolence_n_1142021.html?1323705676" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #10: Sheryl Sandberg: Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders

  Even as people worry about "The End of Men," we have to acknowledge that men still run the world. Our revolution has stalled. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/13/sheryl-sandberg-ted-talk_n_1145415.html?1323791868" target="_hplink">here</a>.</em>

• #9: Eli Pariser: Beware Online "Filter Bubbles"

  There's a shift in how information is flowing online -- and it's invisible. But if we don't pay attention to it, it could become a real problem. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/14/internet-censorship_n_1147078.html?1323877374" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #8: Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability

  Even if letting ourselves be seen and opening ourselves up to judgment or disappointment feels terrifying, the alternatives are worse. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/brene-brown-vulnerability_n_1150976.html?1323965500" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #7: Harald Haas: Wireless Data From Every Light Bulb

  Soon when you switch on the light in the morning, that light will beam the latest news to your smartphone. From the breakfast table, you will be able to send emails through the table light. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/16/harald-haas-wireless-data_n_1153538.html?1324050673" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #6: Marcin Jakubowski: Open-Sourced Blueprints for Civilization

  There is a growing desire around the world to fundamentally remix this relationship with machines and specialization -- to increase access, engagement, and understanding. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/wiki-diy-civilization_n_1157895.html?1324310724" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #5: Anthony Atala: Printing a Human Kidney

  To many people, the idea of growing replacement body parts in the lab sounds like modern-day science fiction. In truth, it's quickly becoming science fact. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/20/printing-organs_n_1160307.html?1324396773" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #4: Wael Ghonim: Inside the Egyptian Revolution

  Something Egyptians have proven to be true is that the power of the people is much stronger than the people in power. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/21/egyptian-revolution-wael-ghonim_n_1162631.html?1324483037" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• (Premiere) #3: Karen Tse: Abolishing Torture

  Just as the 19th century abolished slavery and the 20th century established human rights, so too the 21st century is the one in which we can end torture. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/22/end-torture-karen-tse-_n_1164166.html?1324569854" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #2: Salman Khan: Let's Use Video to Reinvent Education

  Just as YouTube serves as the world's archive of the human experience, so too can it serve as the world's biggest and most thrilling classroom. <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/video-learning_n_1167574.html?1324656689" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

• #1: John Hunte: On the World Peace Game

  When my students are thrown into a super-heated crucible with a recipe for immediate and complete failure, they don't boil over or give up. They turn lead into gold. Why can't we adults do the same? <b><em>Download the limited edition podcast from iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/18-ideas-worth-spreading-in/id493062651" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em></b> <em>Read the original TEDTalks blog post <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/26/world-peace-game_n_1169863.html?1324914239" target="_hplink">here</a>. </em>

Comments

[original joanie]

02:17 PM on 01/16/2012

Honestly, a "top 18?" There are so many great TED talks that it is impossible to rate them - to single out so few. Pick a topic - any topic - and cite the top ten maybe.

[Dogma]

08:10 AM on 01/16/2012

Algorithm guy was great.

Another good one I saw yesterday was called Drive: The surprising science of motivation

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

[infodoc1]

01:11 AM on 01/16/2012

These talks are great, I'm steadily making my way through all of them

[skippythepinhead]

10:56 PM on 01/15/2012

My 8 year-old daughter has been rating these with me. I have to say I thought she would take to Deb Roy's research because it involved a baby, home movies, etc. So far she has algorithms on top and Deb Roy on the bottom. According to her, the entire thing was a waste. Her criticisms were: "Well, that's just his baby." "Those videos must have been expensive and taken a lot of time. Why didn't he just ask me?" and "He spent a long time saying not too much and then showed a video that he knew would make people stand up and cheer." I was somewhat surprised, but I had to agree.

[Frank Smith]

05:37 PM on 01/15/2012

Didn't make the list . . . . should have topped it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lee_cronin_making_matter_come_alive.html

[Schwartz47]

05:36 PM on 01/15/2012

Ted talk is the best of the best.
It's the only thing worth watching.

[rsunday]

03:40 PM on 01/15/2012

Thanks, TEDTalks, HuffPo - I have also watched many of the wonderful, educational, motivational, intellectual, scientific, etc. TEDTalks on channel LINK-TV (DirecTv 375, DishNetwork 9410).
Sadly, just as I predicted when I came to this page, there weren't going to be many participants; it just reflects the deplorable state of our "American" society to remain "willfully ignorant" like the great and late George Carlin said.
Had this been an article about anti-immigration, or about the latest trashy starlet .. . by now there will be thousands of participants on this post.
Still, for the rest of us who really appreciate quality programming, I URGE you TEDTalks, HuffPo, and LINK, to keep on producing vital food for our brains and our souls.

[Bunny Tickle Britches]

02:30 PM on 01/15/2012

#12: Graham Hill: Less Stuff, More Happiness - is awesome (my fav from the set).

Thanks Huffpo for this slideshow.