Richard Liu, 11th-grade president of the History and Philosophy Club at Beijing SMIC High School, delivers a talk that turns critical thinking on its head. Through an engaging series of "business propositions" (that may or may not be scams), he reveals: -Why even smart people fall for deception -The hidden flaws in how we analyze information -How desire can hijack our judgment -A radical solution: "Critical thinking about critical thinking"A combination of philosophy, humor, and real-world examples, this talk is perfect for: -Students learning about misinformation -Future leaders building decision-making skills -Anyone who’s ever wondered, "How did I miss that red flag?"-Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment below: What’s your trick for spotting scams? Speaker bio: Richard Liu is a member of the SMIC High School who has taken a great interest in history, politics, and philosophy. Diving into his passions, he has founded a club and attended forums as well as classes discussing a wide range of topics such as ancient culture and ethics, continental philosophy, and 20th-century history. Considering himself a burgeoning scholar, he has written and published a paper discussing the intersections of metaphysics and philosophy of mind, which received 100+ downloads in PhilArchives. Currently, he is working on another paper exploring the intersections of French philosophers Claude Lefort and Jacques Derrida. 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

Yuhan Zhang joined multiple social movements such as a sanitary pad sharing box initiative and a women’s educational empowerment through English debate. With a big heart to contribute to societal issues, Yuhan is dismayed by the unsatisfactory results. Until one of the beneficiaries, whose attitude on life was transformed by the movement, thanked Yuhan for what she did, Yuhan realized the often unnoticed influences of social movements and encourages everyone to take part in forging positive change.-Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment: Were you utterly transformed by someone else but never expressed your gratitude? -Speaker bio: Yuhan Zhang is an interpreter based in Beijing, specializing in conference and business interpretation. She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Northeast Normal University and a master's degree in English interpreting from China Foreign Affairs University. With extensive experience in business negotiations, she has provided interpretation services for leading enterprises such as State Grid and China Logistics. Beyond her professional endeavors, Yuhan is a dedicated advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. Passionate about social progress, she actively engages in initiatives that support women's professional and personal development. 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

8th grader Rocky Yang delivers a talk about one of the hardest balances in life: fitting in without losing yourself. Through personal stories about musical theater, music creation, and LEGO masterpieces, he reveals: -Why we wear "masks" in groups -How personal passions enrich communities -The pizza theory of individuality (yes, pineapple gets a mention!) -Practical ways to belong and stay true to yourselfPerfect for: -Teens going through social pressures -Educators attempting to build inclusive spaces -Anyone who’s ever felt "too different" or "not enough"-Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support volunteering! -Comment: What's one small act of kindness you've done this week? -Speaker bio: Rocky Yang is a student at Beijing SMIC Private School, the president of the debate club, and an active member of the student council. He was previously part of the Musical Theater Club (MTC) and is a guitar player in the school’s student-organized rock band. Rocky has participated in numerous NHSDLC debate competitions, making it to the octo-finals 3 times. He has a deep love for English, particularly literature and creative writing, and enjoys expressing himself through poetry and storytelling. On top of that, Rocky has a deep passion for guitar, dedicating much of his time to mastering the instrument and exploring different styles of music. He is also skilled at playing the drums, adding versatility to his musical talents. He enjoys traveling, drawing inspiration from different cultures for his creative pursuits. Rocky aspires to combine his love for language, leadership, and performance into a future career in international communications or entertainment. 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

The leader of the rock band Eluvia, Doug McGee incorporates his own love for music and creativity into the idea of community. He discusses how it is possible to build connections through music and art, engaging the audience in an intriguing demonstration of this by leading them to sing different parts and form a rich harmony. He then uses this to make a comparison between harmony and separate parts of a piece of music, and the idea of community and the individual. -Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support the power of music! -Comment: What’s one song that connects you to others? -Speaker bio: Doug McGee is the lead singer and frontman of Eluvia 屹乐队, a band bridging cultures through music. Originally from Hawaii and based in Beijing since 2002, he draws deeply from his musical heritage, blending Western and Eastern influences in his songwriting and performances. A multi-instrumentalist, Doug has written hundreds of original songs. His band has played at major music festivals, China's Central Music Conservatory, and college campuses in cities nationwide. Beyond music, Doug is deeply engaged in creativity, philosophy, and technology, exploring how they intersect in artistic expression and human connection. Passionate about culture and collaboration, he sees music as a bridge between individuals and communities. In both performance and production, he explores co-creation as a living, evolving dialogue. Doug is passionate about the power of creative expression to transcend boundaries, forge new connections, and illuminate the deeper questions of existence. 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

Experience the electrifying fusion of East and West as Eluvia (屹乐队), Beijing’s groundbreaking acoustic rock band, takes the TEDx stage! In this band, there are soaring yangqin (Chinese dulcimer) with jangly guitars and powerhouse vocals, original songs in both English and Chinese, and unmatched energy, leaving the audience breathless!Featured Songs: -“Melody" -”The Hand of Time”-Subscribe for more TEDx talks and performances from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support the power of music! -Comment below: Which moment gave you chills? -Band bio: Eluvia is a Beijing-based acoustic rock band that blends the rhythmic energy of Western roots music with the unique textures of the yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), layered within a dynamic modern sound. With an international lineup, they craft thought-provoking original songs in both Chinese and English, delivering performances that are both powerful and deeply engaging. Their music flows effortlessly—jangly acoustic guitars, electrifying guitar hooks, rich vocal harmonies, and the intricate resonance of the yangqin—all driven by a tight groove and an undeniable energy. From soaring anthems to intimate ballads, Eluvia bridges cultures, connecting audiences through melody, rhythm, and raw emotion. 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

Marco Su, a student entrepreneur currently studying business at UC Irvine, shares his firsthand experience on why and how to build startups as a college student. He identified 4 key components of success—selecting a project, understanding the market, clarifying goals, and focusing on execution—and illustrates with vivid personal anecdotes. Finally, he encourages more college students to embark on the journey of entrepreneurship to create more positive changes in the world. -Subscribe for more TEDx talks from Beijing SMIC High School -Like, comment, and share to support student voices! -Comment: What other factors do you think are key to successful startups? -Speaker bio: Marco is a senior at UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, Western U.S. Market Operations Officer at EasyTransfer, founder of Snowball AI, and co-founder of the 2% College Entrepreneurs Alliance and Chinese Art & Design Students Association. His focus lies in the commercial application of AI technology, youth education, and student entrepreneurship. Marco founded Snowball AI, which integrates generative AI with youth education. It is supported by Amazon Web Services and Apple China and is recognized in Beijing's 2024 University Innovation Program. Another of his initiatives, the 2% College Entrepreneurs Alliance, empowers students to launch viable projects through weekly sessions, mentorship, and collaborations with industry-leading organizations like Wteam. CADSA, an affiliation of the 2% CEA, is an NGO aiming to provide Chinese international students with useful information and resources to support their journey overseas. 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