Ted Talks
Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power
Link to Resource: Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power
Summary:
Far too many Americans are illiterate in power — what it is, how it operates and why some people have it. As a result, those few who do understand power wield disproportionate influence over everyone else. “We need to make civics sexy again,” says civics educator Eric Liu. “As sexy as it was during the American Revolution or the Civil Rights Movement.”
How to start a Movement
Link to Resource: How to start a Movement
Summary:
With help from some surprising footage, Derek Sivers explains how movements really get started. (Hint: it takes two.)
A Different Understanding of American Patriotism
Link to Resource: A Different Understanding of American Patriotism
Summary:
American democracy cannot be great until it is good, says lawyer, Harvard professor and former governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick. A self-identified patriot, Patrick stands behind the fundamental values and civic ideals that he believes make the US unique — and outlines how the country has strayed from those same edicts. Calling for a collective patriotism free from cynicism and fatalism, Patrick underlines the urgency to reset national aspirations in order to save democracy.
There is No Such Thing as Not Voting
Link to Resource: There is No Such Thing as Not Voting
Summary:
Many people like to talk about how important voting is, how it’s your civic duty and responsibility as an adult. Eric Liu agrees with all that, but he also thinks it’s time to bring joy back to the ballot box. The former political speechwriter details how he and his team are fostering the culture around voting in the 2016 US presidential election — and closes with a powerful analysis of why anyone eligible should show up on Election Day.
Design to Challenge Reality
Link to Resource: Design to Challenge Reality
Summary:
Kelli Anderson shatters our expectations about reality by injecting humor and surprise into everyday objects. She shares her disruptive and clever designs.
Why Good Hackers make Good Citizens
Link to Resource: Why Good Hackers make Good Citizens
Summary:
Hacking is about more than mischief-making or political subversion. As Catherine Bracy describes in this spirited talk, it can be just as much a force for good as it is for evil. She spins through some inspiring civically-minded projects in Honolulu, Oakland and Mexico City — and makes a compelling case that we all have what it takes to get involved.
The Danger of a Single Story
Link to Resource: The Danger of a Single Story
Summary:
Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.