TED Circles is an open platform of small groups that engage in conversations about ideas.
Hosted by volunteers, Circles watch and discuss a TED Talk and then share takeaways online to consider each other’s perspectives and create a global conversation. That conversation needs everyone so we hope you'll join as a host (registration below) and/or guest (monthly sign-ups below - please note, greater availability is coming mid-April!).
Circles can take place 100% virtually so they are helping communities stay connected, especially now. And in addition to monthly themes, there is special programming each month about what’s going on in the world so Circles’ discussions are as meaningful and relevant as possible.
The video illustrates how Circles work (in-person and online) and why TED believes in them.
Host a TED Circle
Anyone can host a TED Circle! Volunteers are required to register as a host and list each gathering. Once registered, you receive host resources, gain the ability to list the date and location of your Circles, and join a growing global community of TED Circle hosts.
You are responsible for finding a location, inviting people to participate, selecting a Talk related to the monthly theme, and facilitating a productive conversation. Hosting is an important role and TED wants to help you be a great host!
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March | Who has powerJoin an online Circle hosted by TED
Eric Liu How to understand power
Conversation starters
- In the civic arena, which source of power do you experience most often? How does it affect you?
- Can you think of a time when you had power in the civic arena (e.g. you led a discussion, volunteered to help others achieve a goal)? If so, what checks and balances, if any, were in place to keep you from abusing your position?
- How can 'power' and 'powerlessness' be balanced? What can you do to be more powerful in everyday life? (Additional resource: Ideas blog post)
- Choose a topic that your local officials are debating and you feel strongly about. Using the citizenship skills described, what strategies might you use to engage in the debate?
Dave MeslinThe antidote to apathy
Conversation starters
- Meslin redefines apathy as a “complex web of cultural barriers that reinforces disengagement”. With that interpretation, what rating would you give to the apathy of your community? Why?
- How much is your community supporting or discouraging your involvement? How does that impact the trust you have in your community?
- Which two of Meslin's catalysts (e.g. city hall, public space, media, leadership, political parties, charitable status, elections) do you think are the most influential in your society? Why?
- Meslin offers suggestions on how to knock down the barriers to engagement. Which do you think would be most impactful? What are some methods not mentioned in the talk that might encourage more participation?
Tristan HarrisHow a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day
Conversation starters
- Harris argues that as a consequence of maintaining our attention, tech companies are eroding our agency, changing our relationships, and altering our conversations. How have you encountered this in your life? How do you feel about it?
- How do you think Harris' three changes might help us regain power over these unintended consequences? (e.g. acknowledge we are persuadable, hold the persuader accountable to the goals of the persuadee, design to empower the things people want.)
- Do you think it is possible for tech companies to foster meaningful connections while remaining profitable, or is the attention-grabbing, “race to the bottom” the only means of survival? Why/why not?
- Harris imagines a social media that helps us gather offline with the people we care about or redirects controversial conversations to hosted dinner parties. What ideas do you have to reformulate our interactions with social media so it is more of a help than a hindrance?
Pia ManciniHow to upgrade democracy for the internet age
Conversation starters
- How do you respond to our political systems: with more silence (disengagement) or with more noise (engagement)?
- How much do you trust your country's political system? How much more would you trust it if your representatives voted in accordance with what citizens decided on a democracy app?
- Mancini encourages networks and technologies to build alliances, not power vacuums, to be heard. “If the internet is the new printing press”, what democratic institutions do you want to build in the new internet era? (Additional resource: Ideas blog post)
- Mancini believes “our political system can be transformed, not by subverting it [or] destroying it, but by rewiring it with the tools that [the] internet affords us now.” What kind of tech-based upgrades would you like to see implemented in your political system?
March | Special programmingJoin an online Circle hosted by TED
Alanna ShaikhWhy COVID-19 is hitting us now and how to prepare for the next outbreak
Conversation starters
- What did you learn about the COVID-19 virus that surprises you? What can we learn from its similarities and differences with past pandemics (e.g. smallpox, flu, HIV/AIDS) that can help us now?
- What can you do to minimize the spread of germs? How can you remind yourself to do those things?
- In terms of preparedness, what do you think your country is doing well, and which of your country’s systems would you like to see improved for this and future pandemics?
- How could countries work together in order to create a global healthcare system?
TED-Ed LessonHow do germs spread (and why do they make us sick)?
Conversation starters
- How is the spread of the “just right” rhinovirus similar to COVID-19? Why do you think its “mode of transportation” is so different from germs transmitted by insects, water or food?
- As shared in this video, what are the benefits of staying home when you are sick? What other benefits come to mind?
- This lesson lists “disease control methods” like mosquito proofing houses, clean water systems and staying home when we get sick. What else can people or governments do to prevent the spread of germs?
- What can you do to keep yourself clean from germs that are in the air and on surfaces around you? How can you remind yourself to do those things?
- Additional resource: TED-Ed offers customizable lesson plans (searchable by age-level and subject) and provides a Lesson creator so you can write your own!
TED ConnectsCommunity and Hope
Conversation starters
- Susan David | How to be your best self in a time of crisis
- Bill Gates | The healthcare systems we must urgently fix
- Gary Liu | What we can learn from China’s response to the coronavirus
- Seth Berkley | The quest for the coronavirus vaccine
- Priya Parker | How to create meaningful connections while apart
Upcoming months
April | A changing worldJoin an online Circle hosted by TED
Kate RaworthA healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow
Conversation starters
- How did this talk redefine your perceptions of economic growth, if at all?
- Where do you think your own country is in the five stages of growth?
- Which industries in your country do you feel need the most change to fit within the doughnut?
- What examples or models have you seen in your community that place greater emphasis on social and ecological responsibility? If there isn’t a greater emphasis, what would you like to see? (Additional resource: get involved today in TED’s new initiative, Countdown)
Brett HennigWhat if we replaced politicians with randomly selected people
Conversation starters
- Would you trust randomly selected representatives more or less than elected ones? Why?
- “Would it be better” than your country’s current system? (Additional resource: Yuval Noah Harari’s Talk)
- How would you feel if you were selected to take part in a citizen senate?
- Which of Hening’s ideas for helping democracies “get from here to there” do you like the most? What other ideas do you have?
Wanis KabbajHow nationalism and globalism can coexist
Conversation starters
- Do you feel stronger about nationalism or globalism — considering the political climate in your country and abroad — after listening to Kabbaj’s talk? Explain. What would you propose as the third option?
- How have nationalist — or globalist — perspectives affected the way your country is run, if at all?
- Think about your country's foods, traditions, arts, and sports. How many originated from or were inspired by other cultures? If unsure, speculate about cultures that share apparent similarities.
- Would you consider yourself a citizen of the world? Why or why not?
George MonbiotThe new political story that could change everything
Conversation starters
- Monbiot challenges past economic models, advocates for participatory democracy, and calls for networks that welcome members from differing communities. Which of these would you add and/or remove from your version of a new world order?
- How could a new restoration story nurture the more generous sides of human nature (e.g. altruism, cooperation, empathy) and help move our societies forward?
- Following the framework Monbiot repeats throughout his talk, develop your own economic restoration story, either individually or collectively. What are the nefarious forces? Who stars in the hero role? How do they win the fight and restore harmony to the land?
- Aside from economics, what’s another story you would like to see replaced?
April | Special programmingJoin an online Circle hosted by TED
Kelly McGonigalHow to make stress your friend
Conversation starters
- McGonigal asks the audience to classify their stress in the past year as being a little, a moderate amount or a lot. Which of these matches your own stress level in the last year? This last month? Has this talk changed your perception of this rating? Why or why not?
- According to McGonigal, the stress hormone oxytocin can “motivate you to seek support”. Can you recall a time when stress increased positive social interactions? What made those relationships beneficial? (Additional resource: Heidi Grant’s Talk)
- Using these learnings, what are things you can do differently when you feel stressed?
- The speaker says she spent over a decade “demonizing” stress as the enemy until new research gave her a “whole new appreciation for stress.” When was the last time your viewpoint on an issue flipped for the better? What led you to change your outlook?
TED Ed-LessonHow to practice effectively...for just about anything
Conversation starters
- What skills are you currently practicing? Which are your favorite parts and which do you not enjoy as much? What are some ways you could make the not-so-fun parts more fun (or easier to endure)?
- Think about people in your life or your favorite athlete, musician, fictional character, etc. How much do you think they practice to hone their skills? What do you think is the most important part of their practice and why?
- If you could be anything, what would you want to be? (Dream big or small, real or purely imaginary — unicorns, wizards, inanimate objects, etc. permitted.) What would your day look like? What skills would you need? How would you practice those skills?
- Think about your responsibilities now. What prepared you to handle those responsibilities? Now imagine your dream job. What kind of skills or improvements could you work toward in order to be ready for that job? If inspired, write a list of actions to get closer to that goal.
- And a joke... Question: How do you get to your nearest music hall? Answer: Practice, practice, practice!
- Additional resource: TED-Ed offers customizable lesson plans (searchable by age-level and subject), a Lesson creator so you can write your own, and daily challenges!
TED ConnectsCommunity and Hope
Conversation starters
- Susan David | How to be your best self in a time of crisis
- Bill Gates | The healthcare systems we must urgently fix
- Gary Liu | What we can learn from China’s response to the coronavirus
- Seth Berkley | The quest for the coronavirus vaccine
- Priya Parker | How to create meaningful connections while apart
May | Life at its fullest
Coming Apr 1Previous months
September | World of wonder
Greta ThunbergThe disarming case to act right now on climate change
Conversation starters
- Why do you think we "carry on like before" when it comes to climate change?
- How persuasive do you find Greta's argument?
- What do you think about students striking on behalf of the climate?
- What are some ways to change the rules and save the world? (Think local, then global)
Jennifer KahnGene editing can now change an entire species — forever
Conversation starters
- Are you encouraged or concerned about the impact of gene drive technology editing human nature?
- What are the benefits and risks of using the technology and of not using the technology?
- What decisions about this technology can be made at a local level versus those that require regional or global governance?
- Is there a species on which you would feel comfortable experimenting with this technology?
Barbara J. KingGrief and love in the animal kingdom
Conversation starters
- Are we anthropomorphizing animals by assigning them human-defined emotions?
- Do you believe that animals grieve? Why?
- Is it necessary/helpful to empathize with another species?
- Has this talk changed your mind about eating meat?
Stephen WebbWhere are all the aliens?
Conversation starters
- How does the idea of intelligent life beyond humans — or the idea of humans being alone in the universe — make you feel?
- What's the value of looking for alien civilizations if we're actually alone?
- If it turns out there is intelligent life on other planets, what's the first thing we should ask them?
- Do you agree with Stephen's conclusion that we're all alone? Why (not)?
October | How to be a better human
Margaret HeffernanThe human skills we need in an unpredictable world
Conversation starters
- What is your view on the priority governments, companies, organizations and people place on technology-driven efficiency?
- In what areas could the world stand become more efficient?
- How has technology affected human skills such as preparedness, coalition-building, humility, imagination, and bravery? How could technology empower human skills?
- Having considered this idea, which skills will you intentionally engage?
Maja JovanovicHow apologies kill our confidence
Conversation starters
- How often do you find yourself making unnecessary apologies? What leads you to apologize in these moments?
- If a colleague is 20 minutes late, would you rather them say, "I'm sorry for being late" or "Thank you for waiting for me?"
- Do you find this phenomenon of saying "sorry" is related to gender? In your experience, do women tend to apologize more than men?
- Additional resource: Ideas blog post
Matt WalkerSleep is your superpower
Conversation starters
- Would you be willing to have brain surgery to get the implant that amplifies deep sleep? Why or why not?
- How often do you get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep a night?
- What keeps you from sleeping more?
- What social/technological/lifestyle changes might result if people got enough sleep?
Christer MjåsetWhy your doctor needs your help to battle over-treatment
Conversation starters
- Have you asked your doctor these questions? If not, why not? If so, what was their response?
- Do you have a relationship with your doctor that supports these conversations?
- Having considered this idea, how much more inclined are you to ask your doctor these questions?
- Additional resource: Ideas blog post
November | Justice and society
Carole CadwalladrFacebook's role in Brexit - and the threat to democracy
Conversation starters
- Is there a way to harness social media for democratic good? (Additional resource: Pia Mancini's Talk)
- How do you think social media has generally changed the global political climate?
- What is your stance on Facebook given the meddling supported by the platform's technology?
- Do you think your elected officials are capable of addressing these issues to re-establish democracy?
Bryan StevensonWe need to talk about an injustice
Conversation starters
- If justice is the opposite of poverty, what are you doing/think needs to be done to fight the injustice of poverty?
- How can you begin to solve poverty and incarceration given their disproportionate effects on marginalized communities?
- Where does courage come into play with tackling injustice?
- How can our visions of technology, entertainment, and design connect with our visions of humanity, compassion, and justice?
Benedetta BertiDid the global response to 9/11 make us safer?
Conversation starters
- Are human rights core to the political discourse in your country?
- Do you feel more or less secure than you did before 9/11, 10 years ago, last year?
- What changed for you after 9/11? Share your thoughts, experiences, perspectives, and/or patterns you’ve noticed in the wider world.
- How achievable are the suggested solutions? Do you have suggestions of what could be implemented in your own communities now?
Melanie NezerThe fundamental right to seek asylum
Conversation starters
- What parallels are there between the refugee crisis in Europe and the Mediterranean?
- What responsibility do countries have for stabilizing these regions beyond accepting asylum seekers?
- How does storytelling factor into shaping the refugee conversation?
- What do you hope is the future of the refugee crisis - politically and generally?
December | Money matters
David BurkusWhy you should know how much your coworkers get paid
Conversation starters
- Do you know how your pay compares with your peers? How, if at all, is compensation discussed at your workplace? Do you think salaries should be shared? Why or why not?
- Is there anyone with whom you have shared/are comfortable sharing your salary? If yes, what makes that relationship different from others?
- If you could see your colleagues’ salary so long as you shared yours, would you do it? Why or why not?
- David reveals that pay transparency can increase fairness and collaboration in the workplace and decrease the gender wage gap. Do you think there are other workplace challenges that pay transparency could address?
Tammy LallyLet's get honest about our money problems
Conversation starters
- Tammy and her brother grew up with the idea that “more money [would] make [them] happy.” What ideas about money have you inherited from your upbringing? Do you still follow them?
- Why do you think we hide our problems around money? (sit silent in money shame)
- Do you or people you know equate financial-worth with self-worth?
- What are the explicit and implicit messages about money that can be used so money is openly discussed in a helpful way?
Nick HanauerThe dirty secret of capitalism - and a new way forward
Conversation starters
- What’s your view on neoliberal economic assumptions (e.g. raising wages kills jobs, people are paid what they are worth, humans are rational and selfish)? Is that different after you watched the Talk?
- To whom do you think corporations should be accountable (e.g. shareholders, customers, workers, community)?
- Nick is using his wealth to drive legislative changes that require the rich to pay more taxes and increase the minimum wage. What choices and actions can we make to create a more equitable, prosperous, and more sustainable society? What successful examples come to mind? (e.g. cooperative businesses, B-corps, The anti-CEO playbook)
- What keeps neoliberal countries from building a more cooperative society? How do socialist and communist countries promote cooperation? What can socialism, communism, and neoliberalism learn from each other?
Raj RaghunathanWould winning the lottery make you happier?
Conversation starters
- What surprised you most about the connection between happiness and wealth?
- What positive or negative things have you become used to (your hedonic treadmill)?
- How would you spend 1 million USD (4m Brazilian Real/7m Chinese Yuan/71m Indian Rupee)?
- If money can’t buy happiness, what are some of the ways that you’ve found to increase your happiness?
January | The future
Bina VenkataramanThe power to think ahead in a reckless age
Conversation starters
- What are we failing to imagine (e.g. risks, natural disasters, etc…) that consequently jeopardizes our future?
- Venkataraman calls for tools to help us think ahead. What tools do you think are helpful in fostering foresight?
- Which of Jain's imagined futures motivate you to act now to create a better future?
- In what instances have you thought of yourself as a descendant? An ancestor? Both? How does that affect the way you think of leaving behind resources that can adapted over time? (Additional resource: Ideas blog post)
Anthony GoldbloomThe jobs we’ll lose to machines and those we won’t
Conversation starters
- How much of your work is “frequent, high-volume tasks” that a machine could perform versus “novel situations” that machines cannot do? How does that make you feel? What does that make you want to do?
- How can we make the economy more equitable for the people who will lose their jobs to machines?
- Do you see machines as a support or as an enemy?
- How would your life be different if a machine did some of your responsibilities? Would you be happier? Would you make less income? Would you have more time?
Henrietta ForeHow we can help young people build a better future
Conversation starters
- What skills do you think young people need most to be prepared for the future?
- How should education evolve in order to train them for the future?
- To inform the solutions you propose for the future, what questions would you want to ask young people? (Additional resource: Mara Mintzer’s Talk)
- Fore shares programs initiated by Argentina, South Africa, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Lebanon. What does your country need to do to help young people feel safe enough to focus on their future?
Herman NarulaThe transformative power of video games
Conversation starters
- Has this Talk changed your perspective on video games? If yes, how so? If not, why not?
- Narula predicts video games will significantly impact society in the next five years. What are some seemingly ‘ignorable ideas’ that have gone on to change society? What is similar/dissimilar between those ideas and video games?
- Real world experiences have consequences while video game experiences are simulated interactions. What are the benefits and risks of billions more people engaging in simulated interactions? (Additional resource: Jan McGonigal’s Talk)
- If games can help us connect, collaborate, empathize, and earn income, does it matter that they are not real?
February | How we love
Helen FisherTechnology hasn’t changed love. Here’s why
Conversation starters
- Have you observed attractions that confirm or counter Fisher's study (e.g. curious attracts curious, traditional attracts traditional, and analytical attracts nurturing)? Which type most resonates with you? Why?
- How are choice and love connected in your culture? Do you think the paradox of choice stunts or stimulates love? Why?
- What did/would you want to know about a partner before committing to a relationship and/or getting married?
- How do you think technology has or has not changed our “drive to love”? To Perel’s question, what does the shift in priority from economic support to “respect, trust, humor, quality time, and attraction” mean for the nature of love?
Andrew SolomonLove no matter what
Conversation starters
- What identities do you have in common with your parents and/or children? Which identities are uniquely yours? How does that overlap make it easier or more challenging to love your parents and/or children?
- What do you think is/would be challenging about loving children with their differences? How can you prepare yourself to love unconditionally?
- How should education evolve in order to help families “love no matter what”?
- Solomon says, “diversity of affection and family strengthens the atmosphere of kindness.” How can we foster a society that accepts “additive models of love”?
Shasta NelsonFrientimacy, the 3 requirements of all healthy friendships
Conversation starters
- How loved and supported do you feel by your friends? How do you cultivate friendships where both of you feel seen?
- Nelson’s formula includes positivity, consistency, and vulnerability. Which one(s) could help your friendships the most? How can you create space for more of that in your friendships in the near future?
- Why do you think connectedness is correlated with the significant health issues Nelson cites? How does that make you feel?
- Is there anyone in whom you want to invest more “P, C, or V” so they “move up the friendtimacy triangle”? If yes, what makes you want to invest in this friendship? What action will you take to invest in this friendship?
Katie HoodThe difference between healthy and unhealthy love
Conversation starters
- What is your response to the spectrums of healthy-to-unhealthy behaviors that Hood describes? (e.g. exhilarating-to-intense, independent-to-isolating, flirtatious-to-jealous, encouraging-to-belittling, steady-to-volatile)
- In what instances have you experienced the early warning signs of unhealthy love? Did you realize it at the time? If so, how? If not, what helped you realize it?
- What aspects of your life have/could improve because of experiencing healthy love?
- How do you think young people should be taught the difference between healthy and unhealthy love?
Suggest other themes and Talks here
Find a TED Circle
Here are the upcoming Circles and the monthly themes they will discuss. View previous Circles.
- Alyssa HamptonOnline30 Mar 2020
- Stephanie WolcottBogotá30 Mar 2020
- TEDxKLOnline30 Mar 2020
- TEDxSanIsidroOnline30 Mar 2020
- TEDxStormontOnline30 Mar 2020
- Judit MihalikBudapest30 Mar 2020
- University of Buenos Aires, Faculty of LawBuenos Aires30 Mar 2020
- TEDxNovyPorgSchoolPrague31 Mar 2020
- Ting-Ya LiangOnline31 Mar 2020
- Christian Sextl and Paula NevesOnline31 Mar 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline31 Mar 2020
- Starlett HendersonOnline31 Mar 2020
- Mohamed SalemOnline31 Mar 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline31 Mar 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline31 Mar 2020
- TEDxValènciaOnline31 Mar 2020
- Antonia FluturicaBucharest31 Mar 2020
- TEDxChowringheeOnline31 Mar 2020
- TEDxChicagoChicago31 Mar 2020
- DASSOnline31 Mar 2020
- TEDxChowringheeKolkata31 Mar 2020
- Richard LucasOnline01 Apr 2020
- Jason HaberOnline01 Apr 2020
- Jo Dee DavisColumbus, OH01 Apr 2020
- TEDxPokrovkaStOnline01 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline01 Apr 2020
- TEDxSchioonline01 Apr 2020
- Tanin HaidaryClemson01 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline02 Apr 2020
- TEDxLeamingtonSpaOnline02 Apr 2020
- TEDxKLOnline02 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline02 Apr 2020
- Bucata Emanuel-DamianOnline02 Apr 2020
- Tracey HamiltonOnline02 Apr 2020
- TEDxCerroSantaLuciaOnline03 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline03 Apr 2020
- Vivek JunejaOnline04 Apr 2020
- Jody ThoneStillwater, MN04 Apr 2020
- TEDxĐaKaoHo Chi Minh city04 Apr 2020
- TEDxInvercargillOnline04 Apr 2020
- Activate Mental HealthPerth04 Apr 2020
- Gabriela AlvarezONLINE04 Apr 2020
- María Del Mar CáceresMariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay04 Apr 2020
- Flying StartOnline04 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline04 Apr 2020
- Abe Mazliachonline04 Apr 2020
- TEDxShenzhenonline04 Apr 2020
- Gabriela AlvarezONLINE04 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline05 Apr 2020
- TEDxCesenaonline05 Apr 2020
- TEDxIGMCRIOnline05 Apr 2020
- TEDxCanberraOnline05 Apr 2020
- Mauricio CuriOnline05 Apr 2020
- Lumiere SciencesOnline06 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline06 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline07 Apr 2020
- DASSOnline07 Apr 2020
- Winston LiewKuala Lumpur07 Apr 2020
- Amber EarlesRye07 Apr 2020
- PUC MinasBelo Horizonte08 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline08 Apr 2020
- TEDxChowringheeOnline08 Apr 2020
- Ting-Ya LiangOnline08 Apr 2020
- Jo Dee DavisColumbus OH08 Apr 2020
- TEDxLancasterLancaster, PA09 Apr 2020
- Jon Staenbergonine09 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline09 Apr 2020
- Jon Staenbergonine09 Apr 2020
- Bucata Emanuel-DamianOnline09 Apr 2020
- Jon Staenbergonine09 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline10 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline10 Apr 2020
- TEDxDaKaoHo Chi Minh City11 Apr 2020
- Lumiere SciencesOnline11 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline11 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline11 Apr 2020
- TEDxLeamingtonSpaOnline11 Apr 2020
- TEDxKLOnline11 Apr 2020
- TEDxĐaKaoHo Chi Minh city11 Apr 2020
- TEDxShenzhenonline11 Apr 2020
- TEDxCoventGardenWomenLondon11 Apr 2020
- PequeninesOnline11 Apr 2020
- Bucata Emanuel-DamianOnline12 Apr 2020
- TEDxIGMCRIOnline12 Apr 2020
- Mel RosenbergRamat Gan12 Apr 2020
- Stephanie WolcottBogotá13 Apr 2020
- Lumiere SciencesOnline13 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline13 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline13 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline13 Apr 2020
- Dave YewmanOnline14 Apr 2020
- John SicilianoOnline14 Apr 2020
- Dave YewmanOnline14 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline14 Apr 2020
- TEDxInvercargillOnline14 Apr 2020
- Lisa RoggSanta Monica14 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline14 Apr 2020
- Ting-Ya LiangOnline15 Apr 2020
- DASSOnline15 Apr 2020
- Zoe HornerPerth15 Apr 2020
- TEDxBellevilleParis15 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline15 Apr 2020
- TEDxSeoulSeoul16 Apr 2020
- Lumiere SciencesOnline16 Apr 2020
- Julie Wilson & Alyssa HamptonNY, NY16 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline16 Apr 2020
- Brantlee UnderhillNewtown Square, PA16 Apr 2020
- Sovari ViktoriaNyiregyhaza17 Apr 2020
- Alyssa HamptonOnline17 Apr 2020
- TEDxChowringheeOnline17 Apr 2020
- TEDxTehranonline17 Apr 2020
- TEDxVitoriadaConquistaVitória da Conquista18 Apr 2020
- TEDxĐaKaoHo Chi Minh city18 Apr 2020
- Ren UedaNagoya City18 Apr 2020
- RADIANTISMSurabaya18 Apr 2020
- TEDxShenzhenonline18 Apr 2020
- Barbara CromartyOnline18 Apr 2020
- TEDxCanberraOnline19 Apr 2020
- TEDxIGMCRIOnline19 Apr 2020
- Conversations New YorkNew York City20 Apr 2020
- Ozay OzaydinIstanbul, Turkey20 Apr 2020
- McPherson Public LibraryMcPherson, KS20 Apr 2020
- Sheri ResnikWynnewood, PA22 Apr 2020
- TEDxTangamangaSan Luis Potosí, México22 Apr 2020
- TEDxChowringheeOnline22 Apr 2020
- Luis ViramontesZacatecas23 Apr 2020
- Andrea OlsonDavenport, IA23 Apr 2020
- TEDxWinchesterOnline23 Apr 2020
- TED Conferences - NYCNY, NY24 Apr 2020
- TED Conferences - YVRVancouver24 Apr 2020
- TED Conferences - DistributedOnline24 Apr 2020
- Wendy TimmonsOnline24 Apr 2020
- On The Road BccenterCuritiba24 Apr 2020
- TEDxDaKaoHo Chi Minh City25 Apr 2020
- Reetika MadaanLudhiana25 Apr 2020
- TEDxĐaKaoHo Chi Minh city25 Apr 2020
- Lucas TibiricaSão Luís25 Apr 2020
- Akihiro ItoNagoya, Japan26 Apr 2020
- TEDxNingboNingbo26 Apr 2020
- Nicky NazarethOnline26 Apr 2020
- Safia Kerr and Ritta Yee FagainPhoenix, Arizona27 Apr 2020
- TEDxLancasterLancaster, PA28 Apr 2020
- Antonia FluturicaBucharest28 Apr 2020
- TEDxValènciaOnline28 Apr 2020
- WWKOnline29 Apr 2020
- Starlett HendersonOnline30 Apr 2020
- Gerardo BetancourtCancún30 Apr 2020
- TEDxWinchesterOnline30 Apr 2020
- Juhee AnSeoul30 Apr 2020
- University of WarwickCoventry30 Apr 2020
- Flying StartOnline04 May 2020
- Lisa RoggSanta Monica05 May 2020
- PUC MinasBelo Horizonte06 May 2020
- Jo Dee DavisColumbus OH06 May 2020
- Tanin HaidaryClemson06 May 2020
- Activate Mental HealthPerth09 May 2020
- TEDxCoventGardenWomenLondon09 May 2020
- Brantlee UnderhillNewtown Square, PA12 May 2020
- TEDxBellevilleParis13 May 2020
- TEDxCerroSantaLuciaOnline13 May 2020
- TEDxLancasterLancaster, PA14 May 2020
- University of WarwickCoventry14 May 2020
- Sovari ViktoriaNyiregyhaza15 May 2020
- RADIANTISMSurabaya16 May 2020
- The McPherson Public LibraryMcPherson, KS18 May 2020
- Sheri ResnikWynnewood, PA20 May 2020
- Zoe HornerPerth20 May 2020
- TEDxSeoulSeoul20 May 2020
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About TED Circles
We believe that meaningful conversations create interpersonal connections that collectively strengthen communities. Through TED Circles, a host can invite their friends, neighbors, strangers, or a mix - many who have not attended TED or TEDx events - into their home, school, office, and more to discuss a variety of interesting topics. TED provides monthly themes, recommended Talks, and specific conversation starters so the host can focus on engaging everyone in constructive conversations. Here’s a summary of what TED Circles are and are not:
- They are volunteer-hosted, small, face-to-face (in-person, online) gatherings where topics are safely discussed.
- They are not a TED event, they are not a club or a one-off gathering, and they do not sell things or raise money.
FAQs
TED Circles are purposefully easy to adopt so they occur regularly plus they are easy to adapt so they reflect hosts’ and guests' style. With many possibilities come many questions:
Who can host a TED Circle?
Anyone! Register to host a TED Circle.
Who can participate in a TED Circle?
Hosts invite guests to participate in their Circle.
What is discussed during a TED Circle?
TED provides monthly themes with aligned Talks and questions to support, not limit hosts. Hosts are welcome to select any content that relates to the monthly theme. Further, hosts may suggest guests watch the content independently beforehand or together at the beginning of the TED Circle.
Where do TED Circles take place?
Locations for TED Circles include yet are not limited to: homes, parks, cafes, schools, workplaces, libraries, etc... and extend to online spaces through video calls!
When do TED Circles take place?
Scheduling can be set by the host or collaboratively agreed with the guests. TED Circles are intended to last between 1-2 hours and occur at least monthly.
If you have additional questions, please email tedcircles@ted.com
Rules of engagement
TED Circles is an open platform which welcomes everyone who believes in TED's values and wishes to engage in constructive conversations about ideas. A volunteer-powered platform calls for some ground rules.
Each Circle is independent but all TED Circles are connected virtually and through a shared brand. Hosts and Circles that do not adhere to the spirit and rules of the program or harm the community in any way will be removed from the program and must discontinue the use of the TED Circles brand. If you notice non-compliance, please email tedcircles@ted.com.
Tell the world about your Circle
Every TED Circle Host is required to annually register their Circle on TED.com and list each gathering. This does not mean that the Circle is open to the public - hosts decide if the Circle is closed (by invitation only) or open (accepting new participants) - but it provides official designation as a TED Circle.
Show off your TED Circles affiliation
When a TED Circle is registered and active, the host may present themselves as a TED Circles Host and use TED-provided TED Circles logo and designs. Always be clear that TED Circles are volunteer-hosted gatherings, not TED events produced by TED staff, and accordingly use the TED Circles logo, not the TED logo.
Be cool
Hosting is a big opportunity and responsibility. Each TED Circle Host must ensure the safety and comfort of their Circle.
Do it for public good
TED Circles are a volunteer endeavor and free to attend. Hosts may ask for in-kind contributions (such as food and meeting space). Hosts and participants may not use TED Circles to gain revenue sponsorship, make money, raise funds, or organize crowdfunding.
Focus on ideas
TED Circles uphold the spirit of TED, focusing on the power of ideas. Welcoming a wide range of perspectives, TED Circles encourage equal participation within a safe environment that promotes curiosity, open-mindedness, debate, inclusion, and generosity. Agendas and self-promotion have no place in these conversations.