Two carrots in the shopping cart, a new tool show if one is junk food | Dan Kittredge | TEDxBoston
How do we define healthy food? Choosing a carrot over a cookie seems like a good idea, but how do you know the carrot you're choosing is actually as nutritious as the next? Consumers have had few cues for determining the relative nutritional value of specific fruits and vegetables, because nutrient density has not previously been measurable at the point of purchase. Spectroscopy is a well-developed technology that can discern the makeup of materials using a noninvasive flash of light. That sparked an idea... Imagine going to the grocery or farmers market, flashing a light at several different carrots to compare their nutritional value in real-time. Readings might show that some carrots are nutrient-dense, while others are not. Which ones would you buy? Would you start to choose food based on how good it was for you and your family? The power of that collective choice might just transform the way we grow food and how we understand the value of soil. Dan Kittredge has been an organic farmer for more than 30 years. After working globally in the late 90s and early 2000s with farmers, NGOs, and researchers across India, Russia, and Central America, Dan returned to the U.S. and in 2010 launched the Bionutrient Food Association in order to ignite a movement around food quality. Dan has become one of the leading proponents of “nutrient density,” and works to demonstrate the connections between soil health, plant health, and human health.Dan launched the Bionutrient Institute with open-source science partners Our-Sci and FarmOS to lead the effort to identify and increase nutrition in the food supply. The Bionutrient Institute engineered and launched a hand-held consumer spectrometer, the Bionutrient Meter, designed to test nutrient density at the point of purchase and bring transparency to the marketplace. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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- 17:06The Most Important Subject that Schools Don’t Teach | Ed Banks | TEDxYouth@AISDWhy do we graduate students who can run a mile, graph a linear equation, or identify muscle groups—yet leave school without knowing how to budget, file taxes, or avoid crippling debt?In this eye-opening TEDx talk, Ed Banks takes on a systemic issue hiding in plain sight: the absence of mandatory financial literacy education in most school curricula across the United States and beyond. He challenges educators, policymakers, parents, and students alike to think again about what it truly means to prepare young people for life.Edward Banks begins by spotlighting the imbalance in what is traditionally deemed "essential education." While most school systems require courses in physical education, driver’s education, and health/sex education, there is rarely the same urgency placed on financial education. This omission, Ed argues, is not just an oversight—it’s a long-standing failure with profound consequences.With rising student debt, a lack of savings, and poor credit scores becoming the norm for young adults, Ed presents a compelling case for why financial literacy is not a luxury—it's a necessity. He shares alarming statistics, real-life stories, and systemic patterns that expose just how unequipped many students are to handle real-world financial decisions. From understanding interest rates and credit cards, to learning how to save, invest, and file taxes—these are life skills that most students graduate without ever learning.But Ed doesn't stop at diagnosing the problem. He also brings a solution.In the second half of his talk, he introduces G.I.S.T. —his nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the financial knowledge gap. G.I.S.T. provides access to practical, actionable information and workshops focused on personal finance, especially for underserved communities. Through relatable instruction and hands-on support, G.I.S.T. equips people of all ages with the tools they need to build a financially stable future.Ed's ultimate message is a powerful call to action: that every school system should mandate personal finance as a core component of education, on equal footing with math, science, and language. He calls on students to demand it, parents to advocate for it, and educators to implement it.Because financial literacy is more than a subject—it’s a foundation for freedom, empowerment, and long-term well-being.Aligned with the TEDx theme “Think Again,” this talk urges viewers to reconsider what our schools value, and what our young people actually need to thrive in an increasingly complex world. In this TEDx, Ed Banks questions why today's educational framework rarely require courses in financial literacy. Many states require courses like: physical education, health/sex education, and driver's education, while financial education is conspicuously absent. This absence has dire consequences. In the end he talks about about G.I.S.T. his nonprofit organization, which aims to fill this knowledge gap by providing basic info and practical strategies to assist those in need. He ultimately gives a call to action, which is that every school system should mandate courses in personal finance as a compulsory part of its curriculum. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:14Reevaluating the Role Social Media Plays in Our Daily Lives | Prerna Basu | TEDxYouth@AISDSocial media is no longer just an online pastime—it is a powerful force that shapes how we connect, communicate, and consume the world around us. From discovering global communities to sharing our voices and learning new ideas, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat have become deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life. But while social media offers unprecedented access and opportunity, it also brings with it hidden consequences that can quietly undermine our mental health, self-worth, and productivity.In this insightful TEDx talk, Prerna Basu challenges viewers to think again about their daily relationship with social media. This isn’t about deleting apps or demonizing technology—but about taking a step back to examine the true cost of constant connectivity. The talk highlights how the endless scroll, fear of missing out, algorithmic manipulation, and comparison culture can all take a serious toll on emotional wellbeing and effective time management—especially for young people.But this conversation is not just about what's wrong. It’s about reclaiming control.Prerna Basu also explores the positive power of social media: how it can be used as a tool for personal growth, education, creative expression, and social empowerment when approached with intention and boundaries. Whether it's building healthy digital habits, curating more uplifting content, or simply taking meaningful breaks, this talk is filled with practical strategies to help audiences transform how they engage online.By shifting our mindset and rethinking our usage, we can go from being passive consumers of content to active creators of purpose.Aligned with the TEDx theme “Think Again,” this talk is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reimagine our digital lives—not by rejecting social media, but by choosing to use it wisely and meaningfully. Social media is an essential part of everyone's lives. It's a platform to connect, discover communities, and share information. There is no denying that social media has greatly impacted everyone’s lives. However, its effect on mental health and time management is often underestimated. Thus, we must ‘think again’ about the role social media plays in our daily lives, and instead focus on how to employ social media in a way that positively contributes. This talk will explore both the negative and positive effects of social media and how to transform the way that we engage with social media so we can foster personal growth and empowerment. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 8:21Responsible AI Use and the Potential for Positive Change | Mihika Khan | TEDxYouth@AISDArtificial Intelligence often sparks fear, awe, and debate—frequently portrayed as an unstoppable force leading to either salvation or destruction. But what if the real power lies not in AI itself, but in how we choose to use it?In this insightful TEDx talk, Mihika Khan challenges the deterministic narratives surrounding AI, offering a fresh perspective: AI is not destiny—it’s a tool, much like an architect’s scalpel. Its outcomes depend entirely on the intentions and decisions of its users. It can either craft breathtaking innovation or cause deep harm—and the choice is ours.This talk explores: why AI is neither inherently good nor evil, the spectrum of possibilities AI presents for society, the ethical responsibilities of developers, policymakers, and everyday users, how thoughtful collaboration between humans and machines can address global challenges, the urgent need to "think again" about our assumptions and take an active role in shaping AI’s future.Aligned with the TEDx theme "Think Again," Mihika Khan's talk is a compelling invitation to reframe our relationship with artificial intelligence—not as victims of a technological wave, but as proactive architects of the world we want to live in. People often hear apocalyptic narratives about AI, painting it as an unstoppable force. But AI is not a pre-ordained destiny. It's more like a powerful tool, like an architect's scalpel. This tool can be used to create breathtaking masterpieces or inflict devastating wounds. The outcome entirely depends on us – the sculptors of our future. AI itself is neither inherently good nor evil; it's a spectrum of possibilities, showing both promise and peril. The crucial question is not whether AI will change the world, but how we choose to wield it. Can we harness its power responsibly, fostering a future where humans and AI collaborate to solve the world's greatest challenges? The time to think again, re-evaluate our assumptions and chart a course for a beneficial future with AI, is now. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:37Solar Energy’s Potential to Transform Bangladesh’s Energy Future | Masrur Mehadi | TEDxYouth@AISDWhat does it truly mean to be "green" in the 21st century? In this powerful TEDx talk, Masrur Mehadi invites viewers to think again about sustainability, development, and the role of youth in shaping a cleaner, more equitable future for Bangladesh and beyond.Growing up in a family deeply involved in the energy sector, and having witnessed the impact of a 110-megawatt solar power plant in Khulna, Masrur Mehadi's journey into energy and infrastructure was both personal and purposeful. This talk explores how renewable energy—especially solar—can be a transformational force in a country still reliant on fossil fuels.At the heart of this vision is Empower Solar, an initiative designed to: raise awareness about solar energy and its long-term potential, educate underprivileged children about sustainability, clean energy, and environmental responsibility, highlight the economic and community-level impact of renewable energy investments, encourage a national and global audience to "think again" about how we power our lives and shape our economies.This talk aligns perfectly with the TEDx theme "Think Again," urging individuals to question the status quo, challenge outdated systems, and embrace innovative, sustainable solutions for a brighter future. Masrur's interests have always been drawn towards industry and infrastructure, particularly energy, and its impact on Bangladesh. In the 21st century, sustainability and being "green" are common words, but what do they truly mean? His perspective on this was formed by witnessing my family’s 110-megawatt solar power plant in Khulna, Bangladesh. This sparked his passion and ignited a desire to explore and start his own green project called Empower Solar. The goal of the Empower Solar initiative was to raise awareness about solar energy, particularly in a country like Bangladesh, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Solar and renewable energy are still relatively new concepts here, and they encourage people to "think again" about the future of energy. Empower Solar focuses on conducting workshops for underprivileged children, educating them about sustainability while also emphasizing the significant economic impact that renewable energy can have on communities and countries. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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