NOTE FROM TED: This talk represents the speaker's personal views and interpretation of the brain and decision making, which remains an ongoing field of study. For additional context and research, see the paper linked below. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdThis paper highlights how many different areas of the brain are involved in the complex process of decision making: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00429-023-02644-9Every decision sparks a tug-of-war in your brain between the rational analyst and the impulsive reactor. A neuroscientist explains how this inner conflict shapes everything from online shopping to life-changing choices, and why a simple 15-minute walk outside might be the key to making better decisions. Dr. Olav Krigolson is a neuroscientist at the University of Victoria with research interests spanning decision-making, learning, statistics, game theory, EEG, and mobile neuroscience technologies. His research program has led to over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications and $27 million in grant funding for the Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Laboratory where he is the Principal Investigator. He’s collaborated with NASA, major league sports, and health organizations, and his work has been featured by CBC, the Discovery Channel, and Maclean’s. In 2017, he received a Benjamin Meaker Fellowship at Bristol University for his contributions to neuroscience. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Having been held hostage by Somali pirates, Michael Scott Moore draws parallels between his experience and the plight of migrants, diving deep into the mechanisms keeping smugglers and human traffickers in business.Michael Scott Moore is a journalist, novelist, and author of a comic novel about L.A., Too Much of Nothing, as well as a travel book about surfing, Sweetness and Blood, which was named a best book of 2010 by The Economist. He worked for several years as an editor and writer at Spiegel Online in Berlin, and he was kidnapped in early 2012 on a reporting trip to Somalia and held hostage by pirates for 32 months. The Desert and the Sea, a memoir about that ordeal, became an international bestseller. He’s written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review, and he currently hosts a podcast called Radio Free Mike. https://michaelscottmoore.substack.com/This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What makes a truly great photograph? For Tony Baldasaro, it’s not about the gear, the lighting, or even the subject—it’s about presence. In this thoughtful and deeply personal TEDx talk, award-winning nature photographer Tony Baldasaro reveals how letting go of rigid expectations allowed him to reconnect with the wonder of the natural world—and capture moments that matter.From losing his wallet mid-flight to photographing cows in the New England countryside, Tony’s stories remind us that life’s most meaningful images aren’t staged—they’re sensed. With humor and heart, he encourages us all to find our own creative “lens” that invites awe, slows time, and deepens connection.Tony blends his background in biology and public education with over 20 years of photographic experience. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or simply craving stillness in a fast-paced world, this talk is your invitation to be still—and be moved.Tony, a native New Englander, is the owner of TB3 Photography and is passionate about capturing the natural beauty of landscapes and wildlife through photography. After studying biology and ornithology in college, he spent nearly 30 years in public education, sharing his love for the natural world and his belief in everyone’s ability to learn and grow. With over 20 years of nature photography experience, Tony now finds joy in helping others improve their skills. His true passion lies in preserving fleeting natural moments with his camera.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Will AI systems ever become sentient? How should we treat them if we feel uncertain? The prospect of AI systems possessing their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions is no longer an issue confined to science fiction or the distant future. There is a realistic possibility that some AI systems will soon have these capacities, and we should start developing an ethical framework to address this issue now, so that we can be prepared if and when the time comes. This talk was presented on September 25, 2024.Jeff is an associate professor of environmental studies, an affiliated professor of bioethics, medical ethics, philosophy, and law, the director of the center for environmental and animal protection, and the director of the center for mind, ethics, and policy at New York University. His work focuses on moral, legal, and political questions involving AI, animals, and the environment. Jeff argues for expanding our moral circle to include animals, AI systems, and other nonhumans with transformative implications for our lives and societies.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Is consciousness separate from the physical world or a fundamental function of the brain? In this talk, Dr. Andringa explores one of science’s greatest mysteries and what it reveals about the nature of our reality. Is consciousness separate from the physical world or a fundamental function of the brain? In this talk, Dr. Andringa explores one of science’s greatest mysteries and what it reveals about the nature of our reality. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this inspiring talk, Zahra draws on her years of experience as a bridge builder, helping victims of the Dutch Childcare Benefits Scandal recover with dignity, as well as her own journey through child poverty and inequity. She’ll show you why bridge builders are essential to creating real social change and provide a powerful roadmap for bringing people together, amplifying unheard voices, and making justice a reality—wherever you go. In this inspiring talk, Zahra draws on her years of experience as a bridge builder, helping victims of the Dutch Childcare Benefits Scandal recover with dignity, as well as her own journey through child poverty and inequity. She’ll show you why bridge builders are essential to creating real social change and provide a powerful roadmap for bringing people together, amplifying unheard voices, and making justice a reality—wherever you go. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx