TED Radio Hour

There are many stereotypes about Africa--that it’s a place of conflict, of disease, war, and famine.  Or that it’s a single place at all, rather than a continent of 54 distinct countries.  We'll engage with thinkers and do-ers who are constructing new realities for their respective countries, and for the African continent a whole.  We’ll hear from TED team member Emeka Okafor, who guides us through some evolving views (and misconceptions) of the African continent; Patrick Awuah, who left a career at Microsoft to found a liberal arts college in his native Ghana; and journalist Andrew Mwenda, who says that industry, not aid, is what’s driving Africa’s growing economies.  

We know getting a good education is important, but does the current model nurture real learning? Three TED speakers share powerful ideas about how to change the education for the better. Teachers are flipping classrooms, rethinking lesson plans, and re-imagining the role of teacher and student, learner and educator. Sir Ken Robinson says the standardization of schools squashes creativity — and ultimately hurts our communities. Salman Khan of the Khan Academy explains how video lectures can help kids master subjects, not just muddle through them. And public school teacher John Hunter says his 4th graders have solved global warming — on several occasions.

For centuries, cities have been bringing people together.  Now, for the first time in history, more than half the world's population lives in cities.  What draws people to them?  What changes when we live closer together?  How can cities offer humanity its best hope for a sustainable future?  TED speakers Stewart Brand, Robert Neuwirth, Ellen Dunham-Jones, and Geoffrey West investigate the future of our urban zones.

The birth of a new idea could be the strongest force for change that we know.  Understanding where ideas come from can help us harness the power of our thoughts.  In this hour, we’ll hear Matt Ridley describe what happens when ideas “have sex”; Susan Cain on how to broaden our approach to cultivating ideas from the quieter voices in the room; and Steven Johnson on how to foster environments where great ideas can happen.

How are we inspired? How do we get from an initial inkling of idea to a fully formed work of art? It’s often challenging to describe the creative process. In this hour we’ll hear from some TED speakers who explain their craft and the daily challenge of nurturing creativity. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins explains his writing process involves plenty of patience, intensity, and trips to the dry cleaners. Author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the definition of genius and singer/songwriter Abigail Washburn blends the Far East with Appalachia with her banjo.