Iconoclastic Individualism - Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau (12 July 1817 -- 6 May 1862) born David Henry Thoreau was an American author, naturalist, transcendentalist, tax resister, development critic, philosopher, and abolitionist who is best known for Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay, Civil Disobedience, an argument for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to an unjust state.

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The Empathy Equation

Tyler is the grassroots coordinator for Project: AK-47, an organization that rescues and rehabilitates child soldiers. He is a student in his last semester here at Belmont, a husband and a soon-to-be father. He's here today to talk to us about how to build a bridge between western society and the needs of the world.

A feminine response to Iceland's financial crash

Halla Tomasdottir managed to take her company Audur Capital through the eye of the financial storm in Iceland by applying 5 traditionally "feminine" values to financial services. At TEDWomen, she talks about these values and the importance of balance.

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Hanna Rosin: New data on the rise of women

Hanna Rosin reviews startling new data that shows women actually surpassing men in several important measures, such as college graduation rates. Do these trends, both US-centric and global, signal the "end of men"? Probably not -- but they point toward an important societal shift worth deep discussion.

Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy?

Nuclear power: the energy crisis has even die-hard environmentalists reconsidering it. In this first-ever TED debate, Stewart Brand and Mark Z. Jacobson square off over the pros and cons. A discussion that'll make you think -- and might even change your mind.

A call to men everywhere: Don’t “act like a man.”

At TEDWomen, Tony Porter makes a call to men everywhere: Don’t “act like a man.” Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the “man box.”

Celebrating Dirty Jobs

Mike Rowe, the host of "Dirty Jobs," tells some compelling (and horrifying) real-life job stories. Listen for his insights and observations about the nature of hard work, and how it’s been unjustifiably degraded in society today.

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Kiran Bedi: A police chief with a difference

Kiran Bedi has a surprising resume. Before becoming Director General of the Indian Police Service, she managed one of the country's toughest prisons -- and used a new focus on prevention and education to turn it into a center of learning and meditation. She shares her thoughts on visionary leadership at TEDWomen.

Hillary Clinton: Empower girls and women

Social Media Addiction: Are You At Risk?

Facebook and social media have been blamed for a lot of ills of late — divorce, teens run wild and even asthma attacks. Good thing YourTango is out with a PSA warning us all about the hazards of social media addiction. Watch:

Read a related interesting post: "Social Media-Virtual World and Future of the Real World!" 

A Privacy Law, Finally!

Sunitha Krishnan's fight against sex slavery