TED Circles is an open platform of small groups that meet for conversations about ideas.
Hosted by volunteers, these weekly or monthly gatherings empower us to dream and debate. Each TED Circle is unique and all are virtually connected through the TED Circles platform - making it possible for local conversations to reach a global scale. The video illustrates how Circles work 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!
Want to host a TED Circle?
Register hereThis Month
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?
TED-Ed lessonWould 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?
Upcoming months
January | Future (im)perfect
Coming Dec 15February | How we love
Coming Jan 15Previous 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?
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.
- Désirée ZucchiVerona11 Dec 2019
- Morgane QuilfenAntwerp, Belgium11 Dec 2019
- Richard LucasKrakow11 Dec 2019
- Vanessa NorthDubai11 Dec 2019
- Tomás AgoteBuenos Aires, Argentina11 Dec 2019
- Mel RosenbergRamat Gan, Israel11 Dec 2019
- Hui DongMelbourne11 Dec 2019
- Travis BairdSan Antonio, TX12 Dec 2019
- Mario ChamorroMountain View, CA13 Dec 2019
- Conversations New YorkNY, NY13 Dec 2019
- Lynn TabbaraLondon14 Dec 2019
- Audrey DimarucotPasig City14 Dec 2019
- TEDxHangzhouHangzhou15 Dec 2019
- Kristen DavidSeattle, WA16 Dec 2019
- Jay ChuaMelaka, Malaysia16 Dec 2019
- TEDxHangzhouHangzhou16 Dec 2019
- Tomás AgoteBuenos Aires, Argentina17 Dec 2019
- TEDxRochesterWomenRochester, NY17 Dec 2019
- Enio ArroyoLa Plata, Argentina18 Dec 2019
- TEDxSeoulSeoul18 Dec 2019
- Carrie HamptonKansas City, MO18 Dec 2019
- Yusuke SuzukiTokyo, Japan19 Dec 2019
- Sadia MasoodStockholm20 Dec 2019
- Arunraj SubbarajMuscat20 Dec 2019
- TEDxNingboNingbo, China21 Dec 2019
- Bryant A. GonzalesCebu City, Philippines21 Dec 2019
- Lisa QinSuzhou21 Dec 2019
- TEDxUdineUdine21 Dec 2019
- TEDxHamamatsuHamamatsu22 Dec 2019
- Achay Kaam FoundationLahore, Pakistan22 Dec 2019
- Takayuki MitsugiKyoto25 Dec 2019
- Sudeep RauniarKathmandu, Nepal26 Dec 2019
- Marius IvascuBaia Mare26 Dec 2019
- Paula RinconBogotá27 Dec 2019
- Jay ChuaMelaka, Malaysia30 Dec 2019
- Mel RosenbergRamat Gan08 Jan 2020
- Julie Wilson & Alyssa HamptonNY, NY09 Jan 2020
- Karen MinvielleFayetteville, GA13 Jan 2020
- TEDxSeoulSeoul15 Jan 2020
- Jo Dee DavisColumbus, OH15 Jan 2020
- Paula RinconBogotá17 Jan 2020
- Lynn TabbaraLondon18 Jan 2020
- Achay Kaam FoundationLahore, Pakistan19 Jan 2020
- Arunraj SubbarajMuscat20 Jan 2020
- Antonia FluturicaBucharest21 Jan 2020
- Bryant A. GonzalesCebu City, Philippines25 Jan 2020
- Mel RosenbergRamat Gan05 Feb 2020
- Antonia FluturicaBucharest11 Feb 2020
- Julie Wilson & Alyssa HamptonNY, NY13 Feb 2020
- Lynn TabbaraLondon15 Feb 2020
- Bryant A. GonzalesCebu City, Philippines15 Feb 2020
- TEDxSeoulSeoul19 Feb 2020
- TEDxOshkoshOshkosh, WI19 Feb 2020
- Andrea OlsonDavenport, IA20 Feb 2020
- Arunraj SubbarajMuscat20 Feb 2020
- Paula RinconBogotá21 Feb 2020
- Mel RosenbergRamat Gan11 Mar 2020
- Paula RinconBogotá20 Mar 2020
- Antonia FluturicaBucharest31 Mar 2020
- Andrea OlsonDavenport, IA23 Apr 2020
- Antonia FluturicaBucharest28 Apr 2020
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.