Best TED Talks: 21 Amazing, Inspiring Presentations (VIDEOS)

This year's Technology, Entertainment and Design conference (TED2012) is underway at California's Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Presented by the non-profit Sapling Foundation, the annual event is committed to creating a global conversation around "ideas worth spreading."

TED2012 began on February 27 and runs until March 2. It will showcases cutting-edge thinkers in the disciplines of science, art, performance and, of course, tech. This year they're really pulling out all the stops to present some of the most interesting, entertaining and visually appealing talks yet. In honor of this year's TED talks, we've compiled some of the best from the past several years -- plus one that takes place in the future.

Check out our slideshow below, featuring humorous tech art installations, cars blind people can drive, advanced exoskeletons and much more. Vote for the ones you find most inspiring, and be sure to check back for all of our TED2012 coverage as the conference unfolds.

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Comments

[arinanikitina]

07:27 AM on 11/01/2012

Great collection! I got inspired and made a list of my TED favorites ( http://www.arinanikitina.com/best-of-ted-top-41-inspirational-ted-talks.html )

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[JDOK]

10:30 AM on 03/02/2012

These wonderful presentations by truly innovative and creative people should be produced into an ongoing, maybe weekly, TV show. One presentation per week for 1/2 hour in prime-time. It would stimulate and excite the young, focus the young adults on ideas worth investigating and pursuing and educate and amaze the older population (like me). This is something that broadcasting can give us in place of the Kardashians. It would also expose these ideas to a much broader audience.

[KevinMast]

04:43 PM on 02/29/2012

I would love to see Meryl Streep speak at TED. Do they ever have people from the arts speak?

[SWLinPHX]

06:56 AM on 03/03/2012

I think she did and episode of Bravo's "Inside The Actor's Studio" but not just a straight recorded lecture.

[Dewts]

12:39 PM on 02/29/2012

I love the TED talks series.

[ojomot23]

11:00 AM on 02/29/2012

I think this list should be retitled: the best TECH related TED talks

[mc hesher]

02:45 PM on 02/29/2012

Well... it *is* in the "tech" section of HP?

[joanierobi]

10:57 AM on 02/29/2012

Can't believe Nancy Duarte didn't make the cut - amazing talk. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCYQtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1nYFpuc2Umk&ei=skpOT4O2AaLg0QHayuS9Ag&usg=AFQjCNE3TOAoEU05kJM3POChUfFKGdT9Qg&sig2=GM1FifTy7Y-iKBoKG-Rlkg

[Daniel De Boulet]

10:11 AM on 02/29/2012

All of you. Go watch Sheryl Sandberg.

:)

[ct-scan]

09:58 AM on 02/29/2012

Hawking is amazing.

[Sh00Fly]

10:34 AM on 02/29/2012

Absolutely awe-inspiring.

[Mediorite]

09:54 AM on 02/29/2012

Surprised Hans Rosling didn't make the cut.

[Mediorite]

09:41 AM on 02/29/2012

This is an excellent talk that everyHuffPo reader should watch:

Jonathan Haidt on the moral roots of liberals and conservatives

http://goo.gl/eBzdm

[Mediorite]

09:51 AM on 02/29/2012

Unshortened link:

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/jonathan_haidt_on_the_moral_mind.html

[Devin Campbell]

10:05 AM on 02/29/2012

That link wouldn't play video for me. I assume this is the same presentation:
http://www.disinfo.com/2010/09/jonathan-haidt-on-the-moral-roots-of-liberals-and-conservatives/

[Mediorite]

11:02 AM on 02/29/2012

Yes, that's the same one. It's also on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs41JrnGaxc

[OregonCoaster]

11:32 AM on 02/29/2012

They are the same. The second is linked from a different site. It's a once over lightly but the insights are still useful. Like many insights, they seem simple after hearing them. A good talk, especially for politically interested folks.

[milomilano]

09:39 AM on 02/29/2012

Shea Hembrey, How I became 100 artists. Delightful!
http://www.ted.com/talks/shea_hembrey_how_i_became_100_artists.html

[freddsky]

09:33 AM on 02/29/2012

Awww, ya missed my favorite TED of late:

Natalie Merchant sings old poems to life

Natalie in her magical, pleated skirt.

[MasterKat]

09:31 AM on 02/29/2012

Jennifer 8. Lee gave a TED talk back in 2008 titled "Who is General Tso and why are we eating his chicken?" It was the first TED talk I ever watched and it got me hooked. It's funny, entertaining, and informative in equal measures. Who knew food anthropology could be so interesting?

http://blog.ted.com/2008/12/24/who_is_general/