Take a Look Back at TEDxNSU—Videos, Photos Posted Online

This illustration of the brain was created by students in the college’s Division of Performing and Visual Arts and appeared on stage at TEDxNSU.

In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TED has created TEDx: a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

On Mar. 16, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences hosted the first TEDxNSU, where x = independently organized TED event. TEDxNSU featured an evening of engaging lectures, videos, dance, and visual art about “The Inspiring Brain,” which was the theme of the event. A full audience of 99 people attended, and enjoyed appetizers, research posters, artwork, and interactive areas where they could touch actual animal brains and eyes prior to hearing the keynote lectures.

NSU professors then presented talks on topics including the good and bad effects of stress on one’s brain and body, how to find neuronal beauty in nature, whether taking legal cognitive-enhancing drugs such as caffeine is ethical, and answering the question of what defines reality versus fantasy.

Additionally, students from the college’s Division of Performing and Visual Arts performed a modern-dance interpretation of sound perception. The event also included screenings of two TEDTalks: “Trust, Morality—and Oxytocin” by Paul Zak and “How We Read Each Other’s Minds” by Rebecca Saxe.

The college also set up a “Glow Zone” at the back of the theatre where, throughout the evening, attendees shared their thoughts on Twitter about the evening as it happened, using #TEDxNSU.

Following the event, Leanne Boucher, Ph.D., assistant professor in the college and TEDxNSU’s organizer, commented on the positive feedback she received.

“Attendees remarked how energetic, engaging, funny, entertaining, and fascinating our speakers were,” Boucher said. “Many said they learned new information and came away with an appreciation of the brain, and several people said that the inclusion of art and dance made TEDxNSU stand out.

“Feedback from one attendee sums it up best: ‘The atmosphere was excellent. Everyone was excited to be attending a TEDx event, the stage was brilliantly decorated, the talks were fun to listen to, and everyone seemed excited to learn.’”

Visit the TEDxNSU Web site to view videos and photos from the event.

About TEDx, x=independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event.

The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.*

(*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.