Some are motivational, some are conversational, but all TED Talks are inspirational. For the past decade, TED (an annual conference of lectures involving technology, entertainment, and design) has often yielded viral videos that permeate the internet. Here are several books available from JMRL that were written by TED speakers:

Dawn of the New Everything by Jaron Lanier (TED Talk: “How We Need to Remake the Internet”) – The Microsoft interdisciplinary scientist credited with popularizing virtual reality reflects on his lifelong relationship with technology, showing VR’s ability to illuminate and amplify how the brain and body connect to the world.

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely (TED Talk: “Our Buggy Moral Code”) – An evaluation of the sources of illogical decisions explores the reasons why irrational thought often overcomes level-headed practices, offering insight into the structural patterns that cause people to make the same mistakes repeatedly.

The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings by Marc Kushner (TED Talk: “Why the Buildings of the Future Will be Shaped by You”) – The founder of Architizer.com and practicing architect draws on his unique position at the crossroads of architecture and social media to highlight 100 important buildings that embody the future of architecture.

Asteroid Hunters by Carrie Nugent (TED Talk: “Adventures of an Asteroid Hunter”) – One of the top scientists in the field of asteroid hunting explains how, for the first time, humanity could have the knowledge to prevent a devastating asteroid impact.

When Strangers Meet by Kio Stark (TED Talk: “Why You Should Talk to Strangers”) – Describes how lives can be enhanced by talking to strangers, drawing on the author’s personal stories of brief encounters that she views as beautiful interruptions and sources of creative energy and teaches readers how to begin this practice.

Why We Work by Barry Schwartz (TED Talk: “The Way We Think About Work is Broken”) – An analysis of the purpose of work in American culture and how everyday people can find happiness in the workplace, explaining the importance of seeing one’s career goals independently of earning wages.

Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark (TED Talk: “Consciousness is a Mathematical Pattern”) – An MIT professor of physics explores key questions related to a near-future world of increasing digital autonomy, exploring the what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence.