When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, many analysts believed democracy would spread and flourish. Now, thirty five years later, we know that hasn’t happened, and democracy is in retreat around the world. Dave Troy argues that democratic nations need to unite to ensure that democracy survives into the 22nd century, and restart conversations about global organization that we haven’t had in earnest since the end of World War II.Dave Troy is an investigative journalist covering the intersection of technology and democracy. With a background as both a tech entrepreneur and historian, he brings a unique perspective to analysis of geopolitics, information warfare, and other current events. He is the publisher and editor of America 2.0, and also writes a monthly column, The Wide Angle for The Washington Spectator. He is the host of the podcast Dave Troy Presents.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

This talk explores why some events fail—and why the best ones stay with us for years. Through personal stories and lessons from the underground scene to community-building, the speaker makes a clear case: events aren’t products, they’re emotional experiences. They shape people, spark friendships, and sometimes even shift cultures. It’s not about the headliner or profit margins—it’s about creating spaces that feel meaningful. Honest, practical, and a bit idealistic, this talk is a reminder that great events don’t just entertain—they connect. 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 talk, a photographer reflects on what years of capturing moments taught her about memory—and its flaws. While her photos stay the same, her memories don’t. Drawing on science, personal stories, and humor, she explores how our brains edit memories over time, turning them into something closer to storytelling than fact. What do we lose—or gain—when our memories shift? And can we still trust them at all? This is a talk about nostalgia, perception, and why sometimes the truth lies in the feeling, not the detail. 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

This talk explores the deeper meaning behind a seemingly simple design choice: dark mode. Blending personal insight, design theory, and tech history, the speaker shows how dark interfaces are more than a trend—they’re a response to how we live, work, and see. From brand identity to user comfort, dark mode becomes a tool for clarity, focus, and emotional impact. The talk challenges designers to think beyond aesthetics and build identities that work in both light and shadow—because strong design lives in contrast. 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 raw and compelling TED Talk, 19-year-old entrepreneur Deli Szilágyi shares how a young life marked by physical injuries, such as open heart surgery, and family divorces shaped his mindset, and ignited an entrepreneurial fire built on resilience. Far from a storybook success tale, Deli walks the audience through formative experiences that forced him to confront difficulty head-on, long before most of his peers even knew what real adversity looked like.At the core of his message is a stark choice we all face when encountering failure: Option A, you give up like most people do. Or Option B, you sit down and go through the problem without flinching, refusing inaction.This talk avoids empty optimism. Deli doesn’t suggest that hardship builds character by default. It only does if you choose to face it. His words challenge the audience to reconsider their own responses to struggle, and to see failure not as the end, but as a door you decide whether to walk through. Deli Szilagyi is a serial entrepreneur. At just 14 years old, he founded a music production company. He is a co-founder of the Danube Summit, which brings together the most talented young people in Europe and seeks to inspire them to become entrepreneurs. 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

This talk unpacks the rise of synthetic media and how it’s reshaping our identities, relationships, and the way we experience reality. From social media to AI-generated content, from deepfakes to virtual influencers, the line between what’s real and what’s synthetic is fading fast. The speaker reflects on how we’ve gone from media users to becoming the media ourselves—and what that means in a world where trust is shifting from people to machines. With humor, insight, and concern, the talk explores the opportunities and risks of synthetic living, calling for critical thinking, public education, and a renewed focus on our human connection. 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