Dr. Thimappa Hegde, a senior consultant neurosurgeon, challenges the conventional definition of success and encourages redefining personal goals. With over 42 years of experience in neurosurgery, he emphasizes that health, family, and relationships are often sacrificed in the pursuit of wealth and power. The talk outlines a framework for a fulfilling life, which includes living in the present moment, continuously learning, giving and receiving love, and leaving a legacy of contribution. He shares the wisdom of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who said that a dream is not what you see while sleeping, but what keeps you from sleeping. Lifestyle community Dr. Thimappa Hegde is a distinguished neurosurgeon, and is presently working as the Director of Narayana Institute of Neurosciences, Bangalore. He finished his neurosurgery residency from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. He continued as a faculty at Department of Neurosurgery, NIMHANS till 2003, where he was instrumental in starting Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery. In 2004 he founded the Narayana Institute of Neurosciences which has now become one of the finest centres for Neurology and Neurosurgery service with an excellent training program. Dr. Thimappa was recognized by the Lions Club, Bengaluru, as an 'Outstanding Citizen' and visited USA & Canada on a special exchange program from the Rotary International. He was invited by the Vatican to speak at an International Meeting at the Vatican City and had a special audience with the POPE His Holiness John Paul II. With his keen interest in spirituality and overall personality development, Dr. Hegde has scaled new heights, despite having a very busy neurosurgical practice. 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 if technology gave us everything we wanted—yet left us with nothing to live for? This talk explores the hidden cost of AI-driven automation: the quiet erosion of purpose, meaning, and struggle. Blending science, philosophy, and real-world stories, it reveals why comfort without effort may be humanity’s most dangerous trap. Nik Popgeorgiev is a network engineer, college educator, and writer who explores the quiet tension between technological progress and human meaning. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Folsom, California, he teaches future engineers how to build the systems that shape our world—while quietly asking what kind of world we’re building. His fascination with artificial intelligence runs alongside a deeper question: how do we preserve purpose, creativity, and selfhood in a world increasingly run by machines? With over two decades in the tech industry, Nik brings both technical expertise and reflective insight to his work. In the winter, he works as a ski instructor in the Sierra, where movement, focus, and nature offer a different kind of clarity. He lives with his two children, finding joy in books, sports, long conversations, and the occasional existential crisis. 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

Você já se perguntou o que a arte realmente significa para a juventude de hoje? Criada em uma escola focada em artes e em uma família de artistas, Maria percebeu cedo o privilégio que tinha. Nesta palestra, ela reflete sobre o distanciamento da juventude em relação às manifestações artísticas e defende a urgência de uma reconexão, mostrando como a arte, da periferia aos museus, é fundamental para o pensamento crítico, a imaginação e a esperança de um mundo mais justo. Maria Simões é estudante da Escola Parque e se dedica a explorar diferentes expressões artísticas 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 comes to mind when you think of autism? For many, autism is often misunderstood, with stereotypes obscuring the real lives of autistic individuals. This talk from Youjia challenges those misconceptions, sheds light on the invisible struggles autistic people face, and calls for a future built on understanding and equality. Youjia Ji is passionate about psychology and autism research. She focuses on addressing misconceptions about autism and promoting awareness and inclusion. Through her work, she explores how social perceptions shape the understanding of neurodiversity. 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

Como a maquiagem artística pode ser uma ferramenta de superação da ansiedade social? Bruna explora como essa forma de expressão se tornou sua voz. Ao combinar seu diagnóstico pessoal com exemplos de artistas ela revela como a maquiagem pode ser usada como uma armadura de coragem. Uma conversa sobre como a arte, o autoconhecimento e a vulnerabilidade podem nos ajudar a enfrentar medos e a nos expressar de maneira autêntica. Bruna Sargentelli é estudante da Escola Parque e maquiadora artística. 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 seinem kraftvollen Slam verbindet Anuraj Sri Rajarajendran persönliche Erfahrungen mit einer klaren politischen Haltung. Humorvoll beginnt er mit der Suche nach Vorbildern als schwarzes Kind in einer weißen Medienwelt und schlägt dann einen Bogen zur bitteren Realität des Alltagsrassismus in Deutschland. Er thematisiert Ausgrenzung, Zuschreibungen und systemische Ungleichheit und stellt ihnen seine eigene Identität entgegen: geprägt von Widerstand, Selbstermächtigung und Würde. Ein eindringlicher Auftritt über Repräsentation, Rassismus und das Recht, mehr zu sein als nur die eigene Hautfarbe. Anuraj Sri Rajarajendran ist ein aus Landau stammender Poetry-Slammer, Rapper und Student. Als Sohn sri-lankischer Kriegsflüchtlinge wuchs er in Deutschland auf und wurde durch verschiedene Kulturen geprägt. Bereits als Kind entdeckte er durch seinen älteren Bruder die Liebe zum Hip-Hop und begann, eigene Raptexte mit gesellschaftskritischen und ironischen Themen zu schreiben. In der Poetry-Slam-Szene gilt Anuraj als Senkrechtstarter: Nur zwei Jahre nach seinem ersten Auftritt gewann er 2024 den Titel des deutschsprachigen Meisters in Bielefeld, nachdem er bereits die Rheinland-Pfalz-Meisterschaften gewonnen hatte. Seine Texte verbinden Humor mit emotionalem Tiefgang und greifen persönliche Erlebnisse sowie gesellschaftliche Fragen auf, wie in „Ich bin eine 10 von 10“ und „Papa, warum weinst du nicht?“. Parallel studiert er Lehramt an der RPTU Landau und arbeitet an weiteren kulturellen Projekten und Buchveröffentlichungen. 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