A talk about the uneasy relationship between the media and its audience and how the two mirror each other. It explores the idea that journalism doesn’t operate in isolation; it reflects the appetite of the society it serves. When outrage gets attention and noise drives numbers, the truth quietly slips out of frame. This talk will be a reminder that the power to change media lies not only with anchors or editors, but with citizens. If truth has no TRP, maybe it’s time to ask what kind of truth we’re tuning into. Ashish Pareek is a news anchor at Times Network, best known for anchoring flagship prime-time shows like India Tonight, Business @9 on ET Now and Mirror Prime, South Speaks on Mirror Now. Over several years, Ashish has led major national coverage, from the Lok Sabha elections, crime and civic issues to incisive stories on Indian sports and sector-specific leads like real estate, science and technology. His drive to shun rhetoric and instead amplify stories of real change has made him one of India’s youngest, yet most trusted, prime-time news anchors. Beyond television and digital journalism, Ashish spearheads innovative content campaigns - melding news rigour with creative storytelling, branded integrations, and IP-first thinking. Whether on TV , digital, or on-ground events, he amplifies voices that need to be heard, and stories that need to be told. 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 an age of instant answers and digital efficiency, this talk explores a deeper, more human way of searching. Theatre practitioner Vivek Vijayakumaran reflects on how theatre trains us to search not for information, but for connection, presence, and truth. Through rehearsal practices and performance experiences, he shows how the body, breath, silence, and play become tools for discovery. Contrasting AI’s speed with theatre’s slowness, the talk highlights the value of listening, openness, and embracing the unknown. Theatre becomes a space where differences dissolve, relationships grow, and meaning is created together. Ultimately, this talk invites us to slow down, engage fully with the moment, and rediscover searching as a deeply human practice. Vivek Vijayakumaran is a multifaceted theatre artist with over 15 years of experience in acting, directing, training, and creating innovative performances. He has trained under legends like Padma Bhushan Heisnam Kanhailal and Guru G. Venu, as well as at Italy’s famed Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards. He is the recipient of the INLAKS India Theatre Award (2012) and also featured among Forbes India’s "12 boundary-pushing theatre innovators" (2015).As a director, Vivek has helmed productions like Imagine a Room, Just Hiss (children’s theatre), and the non-verbal piece IT IS YOU. His work has been supported by organisations including Arts Universe, the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, and the Ratan Tata Travel Grant. His performances include BHIMA, Girish Karnad’s Yayati, Bali - The Sacrifice, and many more. He currently leads Our Theatre Collective and Our Theatre Studio, nurturing experimental performance and actor training. 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, Jason introduces Sigmund Freud’s theory of dream interpretation, unpacking how dreams were once treated as puzzles to be decoded through symbols, hidden meanings, and the unconscious mind. Just as the audience begins to understand the system, he turns the idea on its head arguing that Freudian dream interpretation is ultimately wrong. Jason suggests that the truth of a theory matters less than its beauty. By treating Freudian analysis not as a science but as an art form, he invites us to see dream interpretation as a creative act, one that reveals how humans use stories, patterns, and symbolism to find meaning. The talk challenges listeners to rethink how we value ideas, proposing that sometimes what matters most isn’t whether something is true, but whether it helps us see the world more beautifully. Jason is a well‑read high school student with a passion for challenging paradigms and questioning the assumptions that shape the world around us. Deeply interested in psychology and the interpretation of reality, he explores how human perception influences belief, behavior, and truth. As he prepares to graduate, Jason looks forward to joining a new community where he can continue to ask difficult questions and inspire others to rethink their ideas. 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

When we play tabletop role‑playing games, we don’t just control characters we become them. In this talk, Ralf explores emotional bleed, the powerful phenomenon where a player’s emotions, values, and experiences begin to overlap with those of their character, lingering long after the game session ends. Drawing from RPG storytelling, psychology, and personal insight, he examines how stepping into another identity can shape our real‑world feelings, relationships, and sense of self. The talk reveals both the risks and rewards of emotional bleed and how it can lead to burnout or confusion, but also to empathy, healing, and self‑discovery. Ultimately, Ralf invites us to rethink role‑playing not as escapism, but as a deeply human act that shows how stories and the characters we inhabit can change who we are. Ralf is an avid gamer, game creator, and RPG enthusiast with a deep passion for tabletop role‑playing games. He values the collaborative storytelling and strong sense of community that RPGs create, and he especially enjoys bringing people together through shared play. Beyond the table, Ralf is fascinated by the overlap between role‑playing games and the real world, exploring how game mechanics, decision‑making, and narrative shape human behavior and understanding. 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

Dreams have shaped human creativity since the beginning of artmaking. In this talk, Scott explores how the subconscious has transformed ordinary experience into extraordinary visual culture from prehistoric cave art and Aboriginal Dreamtime to Egyptian symbols, Greco‑Roman mythology, and Renaissance visions. He then examines the rise of Surrealism, where artists like René Magritte, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, Man Ray, and Frida Kahlo used dream imagery to unlock new ways of seeing, influenced by Freud and later Carl Jung’s ideas of archetypes and the collective unconscious. The talk also traces how dream logic entered popular culture through filmmakers such as David Lynch and Christopher Nolan, and into contemporary art, immersive installations, and digital dream worlds. Scott concludes by inviting students to experiment with dreams themselves through techniques like automatic drawing, writing, and dream journaling—encouraging them to see their own subconscious as a powerful creative tool. Scott is a passionate artist and educator who finds joy in sharing creativity with both his students and the wider community. His work is deeply influenced by a fascination with symbolism, using visual language to convey meaning, emotion, and story. Through teaching and artistic practice, Scott encourages others to look beyond the surface and discover the powerful ideas embedded within art. 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 weaves together a personal journey of creative rejection and the quiet power of dreams. Through failure, doubt, and perseverance, it reveals how holding onto hope—no matter how unreasonable it may seem—can give meaning to a life and inspire others to believe in something better. Dora is a published author and soon‑to‑be high school graduate who is passionate about storytelling and the creative journey of becoming a writer. Through her work, she shares the challenges, discoveries, and growth that come with developing an authentic voice at a young age. Dora is dedicated to inspiring others to embrace their stories and pursue creative expression with confidence. 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