What the world needs now...

Portland is basking in the most gorgeous spring day today - bliss! As promised here's a quick-ish run down of (my) highlights from TED 2010. A few are available to view already, and many more will be released in the coming weeks:

- Esther Duflo on poverty and how we can do better.

- New York chef Dan Barber on sustainable fishing. Hilarious, informative and wise.

- Jamie Oliver's wish is granted.

- Jake Shimabukuro and his ukelele. Speechless.

- Bing maps, the coolest new mapping technology - beats google maps hands down!

- Sam Harris on morality.

- Wolfram Alpha incredible online knowledge engine - try it out. Stephen Wolfram's talk on how he developed the idea was fascinating.

- Mark Roth and his work on reversible metabolic hibernation. In other words suspended animation for humans!

- Temple Grandin on embracing the nerdy geeks who have so much to offer the world.

- Wired Magazine demo of the Summer 2010 issue. All online, on a tablet, scrollable, zoomable, and you-name-it-able.

- The hugely talented Marian Bantjes talking about her stunning calligraphy.

- Natalie Merchant's eloquent voice turning poems into songs. Beautiful.

- Sir Ken Robinson, one of the most informed and entertaining speakers ever, referencing Yeats and asking us to "tread softly on the dreams" of our children.

And before I go, I just have to mention Intelligentsia Coffee - yum! The best coffee (they do flat whites!) I've had since landing stateside.

*** thanks for all your comments and emails most of these 'talks' haven't been released yet, but will be in the coming weeks. I'll post a note letting you know when each one is released. Apologies for any confusion ***

Images from Marian Bantjes.