Inspiring, galvanising and relevant: 5 TED Talks you NEED to watch

May 22, 2017

There's a high chance you have been recommended a must-see TED Talk at least once, but if you're unfamiliar with the platform, it's high-time you acquainted yourself.

Working under the slogan 'Ideas Worth Spreading', TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, is a media organisation established in 1984.

With conferences held all over the world, platforms are provided to leading names across countless industries to share their ideas, observations and advice with a rapt audience.

In recent years Ted Talks have seen a surge in popularity after they became freely available online, with more than one billion talks having been viewed worldwide as of 2012.

And here are just five of the most enlightening and thought-provoking ones which we return to again and again.

1. We Should All be Feminists

"We teach girls that they can have ambition, but not too much … to be successful, but not too successful, or they'll threaten men."

If you only recognise this line from a Beyoncé track, it's about time you watched the Ted Talk from which it originated.

Nigerian-born author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, initiated a worldwide discussion on feminism when she took to the stage back in 2011, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more inspirational speaker.

2. My Story

In front of a riveted audience at a Ted Talk conference at the University of Nevada, Elizabeth Smart recalled her abduction at the age of 14 and the nine-month horror which ensued.

Providing an insight into an experience beyond all our worst nightmares, Elizabeth encouraged her audience to show courage in the face of adversity, bravery in the face of turmoil and determination in the face of hardship.

Receiving a standing ovation from those gathered, Elizabeth's talk will leave you feeling more galvanised than you might ever imagine.

3. Our Story of Rape and Reconciliation

Featuring Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger, this TedTalk is perhaps one of the most discussed this year.

Reflecting on their teenage relationship which began when Tom, a native of Australia, met Thordis on a student exchange programme in Iceland, these two speakers reveal that an 18-year-old Tom raped a 16-year-old Thordis following a night out.

Immediately parting ways, Thordis was left to pick up the pieces and struggled massively in the years that followed while Tom spent much of his adult years burying his shame and refusing to acknowledge his heinous act.

In a turn of events which many may struggle to comprehend, Thordis and Tom established a relationship via online correspondence, and spent years discussing the night which changed both their lives forever.

4. The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong

If you've ever found yourself looking longingly at someone else's life or feel that despite your best efforts, things just refuse to fall into place for you, this Ted Talk is for you.

Delivered by Amy Morin, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist, this talk reminds us that everyone has the ability to build their mental strength by eradicating bad habits along with building positive ones.

Drawing on her own devastating experiences, Amy provides her audience with three basic elements needed to build mental health and reach your greatest potential.