Connectors: Notes on Session 11 of TED2024

TED’s Chris Anderson, Monique Ruff-Bell and Helen Walters host Session 11 at TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, on Friday, April 19, 2024. Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)

The final session of TED2024 took an emotional dive into how we can connect better — on an individual and global scale. From how to fight healthier with loved ones to how to find greater meaning in life, speakers shared powerful, personal truths from which everyone can learn.

The event: Talks from Session 11 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by Chris Anderson, Monique Ruff-Bell and Helen Walters

When and where: Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Isaac Saul, Julie Gottman, John Gottman, Rory Stewart, Kesha, Brian S. Lowery

Community talks: TED community member Farhad Mohit explored the apparent dichotomy of his Iranian-American identity, suggesting we can have space for both individualism and interdependence, continuous innovation and presence in the now. Later, Afghan activist Nila Ibrahimi shared her experience using song to protest — and ultimately reverse — oppressive laws in Afghanistan just before the Taliban took control. She sent a powerful message to the Taliban about the infinite strength of girls’ voices, whether in Afghanistan or abroad.

Wrap-up: Tony Award-winning Broadway and film star Anthony Veneziale performed a funny, musical recap of TED2024, beginning with an imitation of imma, the AI influencer, and ending with a song about “Why we TED” (although he suggested the conference be renamed TAID, replacing the E for entertainment with AI, which was mentioned over 330 times during the week).

The talks in brief:

Whether it’s “undocumented” vs. “illegal” immigrant or “pro-life” vs. “anti-abortion,” people commonly use language to signal affiliation with a political tribe. Isaac Saul of Tangle News, an independent, reader-funded platform, explains how we can communicate better across the political spectrum by avoiding alienating language and gaining a better understanding of one another’s definitions.

Julie and John Gottman, cofounders of the Gottman Institute and The Love Lab, have made the study of relationships their life’s work. They share how healthy couples fight, starting with one radical idea: don’t fight to win — fight to understand.

Former UK Member of Parliament Rory Stewart shares what’s wrong with most governments’ global development efforts, advocating for a simpler alternative: give unconditional cash deposits to those in need. This proven method allows people to invest in the future they choose — and comes without the patronizing belief that the philanthropists know best.

Songwriting is a direct line of communication with the truth, says pop star, songwriter and activist Kesha. Before performing a new song, “Cathedral,” she explores the roots of hits like “TiK ToK” and “Praying,” explaining why the best songs get at deep, emotional truths.

What makes for a meaningful life? Social psychologist Brian S. Lowery explores three ideas that most modern researchers agree are tied to the experience of meaningfulness — coherence, purpose and significance — and shows why playing even a small role in others’ lives can be a powerful source of meaning.

Session 11 began with a town hall where TED attendees shared takeaways and opinions on what they heard this week, covering subjects such as quantum computing, DEI, conflict resolution, the power of AI and more.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.