How to decode bullsh*t buzzwords | Ivana Leiseder | TEDxZurich
Have you ever rolled your eyes at overcomplicated corporate jargon or vague inspirational quotes? You are not alone. Take ‘leveraging synergy’ or ‘harnessing sustainability’; our language is becoming a maze of meaningless buzzwords. In this witty and thought-provoking talk, marketing anarchist and author Ivana Leiseder exposes the rise of 'bullshit' in our everyday conversations—why it happens, how it affects us, and most importantly, how we can cut through the nonsense. With insight and humor, she teaches us how we can reclaim clarity—one word at a time!Ivana Leiseder is a marketing expert, author, lecturer, and relentless fighter against bullshit with over 20 years of experience. She has created some of the most recognized campaigns for many organizations and even Fortune 500 companies. Her actions have taken many forms: founding Switzerland’s first independent music magazine; shaking up the conventional wine market by bringing Serbian wines to Switzerland; giving a terminally ill woman access to a life-saving treatment by initiating Europe’s largest crowdfunding campaign in the health sector; and penning a widely recognized book on bullshit. Today, Ivana battles bad marketing practices with her own business. Raised at the intersection of Tito and Tell, Ivana is the same age as Windows 1.0.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
More from TED
- 19:46The Power of a Scientific Education | Ludovic Ducobu And Patricia Corieri | TEDxYouth@EEB3Patricia Corieri and Ludovic Ducobu, experts from the European Space Agency involved in ESERO, talk about their inspiring careers, and delve into how the implementation of a dynamic education in the sciences can enrich us all. Enjoy! L’espace, en tant que terrain d’apprentissage, offre un cadre unique pour éveiller la curiosité des élèves.Notre intervention présentera les projets éducatifs de l’Agence Spatiale Européenne (ESA), portés en Belgique par ESERO Belgium. Ces projets se distinguent par l’importance accordée aux concepts scientifiques et à la pratique.Dès la maternelle, les enfants s’entraînent comme des astronautes. À la fin du primaire et au début du secondaire, ils découvrent la programmation et envoient leur code à bord de la Station Spatiale Internationale. En fin de secondaire, les adolescents conçoivent leur propre mini-satellite pour un lancement réel. Ces projets abordent aussi des enjeux sociétaux, comme la conception de bases lunaires, soulevant des questions scientifiques, environnementales et sociales.L’espace devient ainsi un levier puissant pour inciter les jeunes à s’orienter vers les disciplines STEM en les transformant en acteurs du développement des connaissances scientifiques. 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
- 17:17Life Won’t Wait — Build Habits That Stick! | Aaron Colaco | TEDxACE | Aaron Colaco | TEDxACEWhat if building better habits had less to do with discipline—and more to do with showing up? In this inspiring talk, Aaron Colaco unpacks the real reason most habits fail and how to fix it. Drawing from personal battles, everyday routines, and moments far outside his comfort zone, he shares a refreshing approach to syncing good habits into your lifestyle—without needing superhuman willpower. Through powerful insights and actionable advice, Aaron shows how small, consistent changes can unlock big transformations. His message is simple yet urgent: Life won’t wait—so neither should you. Whether you're struggling to stay consistent or just beginning your self-growth journey, this talk will help you stop overthinking and start doing. Aaron Colaco is a Toastmaster, a proud cancer survivor, and a passionate advocate for habit-building and personal growth. With a background in Computer Engineering, an MBA in Finance, and Data Science credentials from IIT Madras, Aaron brings together the discipline of tech and the heart of human resilience. He believes that meaningful habits, coupled with great communication, are the true engines of transformation. Through his work, Aaron empowers others to build systems that stick, turning small steps into lifelong momentum. 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
- 8:04Banda Cabaçal | Banda Cabaçal | TEDxVárzea AlegreThe origin of the Cabaçal Band in the municipality of Várzea Alegre and in the arid hinterlands of Cariri, where the scorching sun mixes with the dust of the roads and the earth echoes, is a tradition that spans generations and captivates hearts. The pulsating rhythm of the Cabaçal Band is a cultural expression deeply rooted in the Northeast of Brazil. The origin of the Cabaçal Band in the municipality of Várzea Alegre and in the arid hinterlands of Cariri, where the scorching sun mixes with the dust of the roads and the earth echoes, is a tradition that spans generations and captivates hearts. The pulsating rhythm of the Cabaçal Band is a cultural expression deeply rooted in the Northeast of Brazil. 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
- 5:00Artistic Attraction - Pelé, the Golden Whistle | Antônio José de Souza | TEDxVárzea Alegre"Pelé o Bico de Ouro" - A musician who learned to play the trumpet and whistle songs using only his lips by himself. Everything was self-taught. He has performed in various local, regional, and national media shows. A musician who learned to play the trumpet and whistle songs using only his lips. Everything was self-taught. He has performed in various local, regional, and national media outlets. 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
- 12:12Artistic Attraction | Bruno Siebra | TEDxVárzea AlegreMusical Performance by the Writer and Poet Bruno Siebra and Maestro Romildo Silva. The performance featured a sung poem by Bruno Siebra and the songs Lamento Sertanejo, composed by Dominguinhos, as well as A Hora do Adeus and Sanfona Sentida by Luiz Gonzaga. Everything evoked our Northeast, our roots! Bruno Siebra, born in Várzea Alegre, Ceará, on March 27, 1983, is a multifaceted professional. He holds a degree in Journalism from the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), with postgraduate studies in Portuguese Language and Arts Education. In addition, he is a musician, writer, teacher, and book editor. He also works as an audiovisual producer.In summary: Bruno Siebra is a professional with diverse areas of expertise, including journalism, music, writing, and education.Details:Education: Journalism (UFPI), Postgraduate in Portuguese Language and Arts EducationFields of Work: Journalist, Musician, Writer, Teacher, Book Editor, and Audiovisual ProducerPlace of Birth: Várzea Alegre, CearáDate of Birth: March 27, 1983Other Activities: Blogger and book editor at Siebra Comunicação 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
- 19:29I Am A Strange LLM | Matthew Gasda & Isobel McCrum | TEDxPaloAltoSalonMatthew and Isobel explore how large language models can become collaborators in the creative process. In a fearless, informal dialogue, they delve into how LLM tools can illuminate the art of verbal creativity and character development in dramatic writing. Blending art, philosophy, and machine learning, they take us on a playful, mind-bending journey through the strange loops of consciousness, identity, and creativity, both human and artificial. Matthew Gasda is a playwright, director, and novelist based in New York City and the founder of the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research. His work explores the emotional and intellectual undercurrents of contemporary life, examining themes of identity, performance, desire, and cultural decay through ensemble casts and stylized dialogue. Known for his commitment to independent theater and DIY production, Gasda has written and staged numerous plays—including Dimes Square, Berlin Story, Ardor, Zoomers, Doomers, and Soonest Mended (that have attracted devoted followings for their incisive wit, philosophical depth, and naturalistic staging). His plays are often set in spaces of social tension (apartments, bars, dinner parties) where intimacy and conflict unfold simultaneously.In addition to his theatrical work, Gasda is the author of several novels, including The Sleepers, and numerous essays. He is deeply engaged with the intersections of aesthetics, history, and thought, and his writing reflects a reverence for classical forms fused with a distinctly modern sensibility. Gasda's work has been compared to that of Eric Rohmer, Richard Linklater, and Wallace Shawn, but his voice remains unmistakably his own: raw, searching, and alert to the beauty and absurdity of everyday life.Isobel McCrum is a language engineer and historian investigating the moral and material consequences of large language models, both in product development and at large. At Microsoft, she works at the intersection of ethics, design, and engineering, developing tools and frameworks to better understand model behavior and safeguard the integrity of human cognition in generative systems. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges language patterns, technical architecture, and responsible innovation. As a co-founder of Folly Productions, Isobel also explores these questions through storytelling, confronting the cultural and psychological tension that generative technology provokes. Using narrative to generate conversation, Isobel’s creative work embraces ambiguity, asking audiences what it means to be human in an era shaped by transhumanist possibility., 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