Lecture Prank

A dramatic upgrade to the classic class clown with the production values of a Broadway show.

MIT Students Making Millions the Easy Way (Horizon 2005)

In the mid-1990s, a team of American science students took on the might of the Las Vegas casinos, and came home with millions of dollars. Hardworking engineering students during the week, they became high-rolling gamblers by the weekend and proved that, in one game at least, the house doesn't always win. The game was blackjack, and the students were from the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Their audacious winnings marked the climax of an arms race between casino and player that began 40 years earlier with maths professor Edward Thorp. He realised that the one feature of blackjack that made it different from other casino games also made it possible to beat.

Tony Robbins on top form (watch for the hilarious Al Gore moment) (TEDTalks)

Tony Robbins explains how to unlock your true potential, and asks the audience (including former Vice President Al Gore) for a bit of high-level interaction. Robbins is a leading expert in leadership psychology, and one of America's most popular public speakers. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, CA. Duration: 22:30) - More TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com

TED 2006 Conference Presentation: Aubrey de Grey

Presentation by Aubrey de Grey at the Technology Entertainment Design (TED) Conference 2006. http://www.ted.com/conference/flashpage.cfm?conferenceKey=2006 Related websites: http://www.Mprize.org http://www.ImmInst.org http://www.Sens.org Related topics include: Cryonics (cryogenics), anti-aging, caloric restriction, transhumanism, nanotechnology, technology, nanobots, immortality, Methuselah Mouse Prize, scientific conquest of death, longevity, fitness, health, population control, birth rate, death rate, rejuvination therapies, aging reversal, Aubrey de Grey, live forever, cancer research, technology, nanobots, research, gene therapies, disease, transplants, physics, chemistry, computers, computing, bioscience, nutrition, exercise, philosophy, sociology, politics, history, elixir, drugs, singularity, Ray Kurzweil, matrix, supplements, suspended animation, cryo sleep, scientific debate, MIT, Technology Review, Cambridge conference sponsored by Larry Ellison, overpopulation, 1000 year lifespan, thousand year lifespan, infant mortality, science breakthroughs, futurist, future, war on aging, medical, youthful, retirement, computer engineer, genetics, research.

Ideas Worth Spreading: Hans Rosling from TED 2006

"See" how the world is changing. Hans Rosling, Professor of International Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden shows us multi-dimensional animated statistical graphics that capture global trends and profound human change over decades that would otherwise be invisible in two dimensional representation. This is a beautiful lesson in visual communication at once both simple and complex. A must view for any serious presenter.

Professor Malcolm Clarke - discusses the anatomy of sperm whales

Prof. Malcolm Clarke, a world expert on Sperm Whales and Giant Squid, speaks from his Whale Museum on Pico in the Azores about the anatomy of sperm whales. Includes a discussion of water and air holes, sound generation, the size of the brain and heart and the digestive system which includes 4 stomachs and is responsible for the creation of ambergris, an excretory product made from the beaks of giant squids. A sample of ambergris is shown. Ambergris has extraordinary properties of smell retention and has consequently been used in the world's finest perfumes. Attempts to synthesis similar compounds have failed. This is one of a series of films featuring Malcolm Clake and the Whale Museum on pico. For other films in the series, check out the "other films by same user link" or the "More Videos - related" link or visit the URL at the top of the column. All the films in the series can be found via: http://www.notreallyrelevant.com/Malcolm_Clarke_Whale_Museum_Pico_Azores.html Malcolm's Museum web site is at: http://www.bienal-baleias.org/malcolm/index.php

Social Impact Investing - Maria Ortero

Maria Otero is president and CEO of ACCION International, a leading global microfinance institution that seeks to open the financial systems in developing countries to reach the poor. ACCION provides technical assistance, equity investment and financial services to 27 of the most advanced microfinance institutions in the world, which ACCION helped start and/or grow. Most of these microfinance institutions are regulated, are members of the ACCION Network, and together reached 1.9 million borrowers at the end of 2005, with an active loan portfolio that exceeded $1 billion. Ms. Otero first joined ACCION in 1986 as director of its lending program in Honduras, where she lived for three years. She became president of the organization in 2000. Ms. Otero is a leading voice on sustainable microfinance, and has published extensively on the subject, including as co-editor of The New World of Microfinance, published by Kumarian Press. Ms. Otero chairs the board of ACCION Investments, a US$20 million investment company for microfinance. She also serves on the boards of directors of three regulated microfinance institutions in Latin America: Mibanco in Peru, BancoSol in Bolivia and Compartamos in Mexico. Ms. Otero also serves as the coordinator of the Council of Microfinance Equity Funds, which convenes 18 equity investment funds dedicated to microfinance.