Do you know what a “cyber illusionist” is? Those who thought that “cyber” automatically meant “illusion” are right, of course – and, in this case, oh so wrong. The expansion of the internet and social media provides unknown opportunities for digital illusions and ways of interacting with audiences. Marco Tempest expertly combines “regular” magic with cutting-edge technology and: poof! creates a lyrical tale while dealing cards in a virtuoso manner. Via the augmented reality goggles he straps on, his entranced onlookers learn that suits, numbers and colors in a deck of cards actually correspond to our calendar and astonishes them with many an unexpected magic trick. View this video to witness top-notch hocus-pocus.
Posts in category: Video/Talk
TED Talk. Which country does the most good for the world?
Good, gooder, goodest: Thinking AND acting globally!
Just forget about the grammar! This time, it’s not good, better, best! At least not when it comes to evaluating the countries doing the most good to the rest of the world. Meaning: Instead of selfishly minding their own business in an islandish manner, they largely act in an altruistic way. Governments must start thinking telescopic instead of microscopic, says speaker Simon Anholt.
As a side effect of globalisation, problems once local—like greedy banks lending out too much money or Chinese chicken sneezing 10,000 miles away — today have worldwide consequences. Nevertheless, nations still operate as if alone on the planet. Policy advisor Simon Anholt assists governments in earning better reputations by helping them change their demeanour and has concocted a refined scale to measure each candidate’s individual performance: The Good Country Index
TED Talk. Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen
Have you ever felt that nobody is paying any attention while you are trying to convey a message? In this entertaining talk, sound expert Julian Treasure shares the secrets of powerful speaking, sprinkled with useful vocal exercises and tips on how to spice one’s talks up by implementing different shades of empathy. Successful – and wise! – speakers render their audience prick-eared by never committing these “Seven deadly sins of speaking”: Gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, exaggeration and dogmatism.
TED Talk. Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are
Body language (Kinesics) is a remarkable means of communication that tells our environment a great deal about ourselves. But how to interpret the signs of this nonverbal behaviour? Arms or legs are crossed, backs hunched or extremities sprawled, hands rest upon hips, hair is twirled around fingers or clothes are being preened (imaginary lint brushed off) awkwardly. What do those signals and postures, that largely depend on an individual’s emotional state, express? Or give away…? In her talk, social psychologist Amy Cuddy explains the implications of power posing – how standing in a posture of confidence, even when we are feeling small – can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain. Body language not only affects other people’s perceptions about us. It may even influence our body chemistry and change our own view upon ourselves. Amy Cuddy’s Talk was viewed by more than 18 million people.
TED Talk. Jon Mooallem: The strange Story of the Teddy Bear …
… and why a beast’s image changed from ferocious to cuddly
Independent of one another, Morris Michtom in the USA and Richard Steiff in Germany hatched the same idea at the same time: In 1902/1903 they simultaneously created a plaything that was later to become an iconic item even for collectors. Chances of their copying one another’s intellectual property were slim, as transatlantic communication at the beginning of the twentieth century proved to be less than speedy. The soft, cute and cuddly toy „Teddy Bear“ victoriously found its way into virtually every nursery the world over and has lost nothing of its popularity since. It is comforting, arouses deep sympathy, is usually loved until threadbare and if at all, thrown away only with a heart bleeding forever after.