TED TALKS "Science And Wonder,” the first of three new TED TALKS specials planned for 2016, premieres Wednesday, March 30, 2016 on PBS. Filmed at New York's The Town Hall theater and hosted by best-selling author and comedian Baratunde Thurston, "Science And Wonder” features talks delivered before a live audience. Each talk examines the riddles of the universe that keep leading scientists awake at night, taking viewers on a mind-blowing journey examining the relationship between science and art, a look deep inside the human body, disappearing landscapes, and the world of Pixar animation as speakers look at the future of nanotechnology, the science of light, and the rise of genetic manipulation.
Featured speakers include:
• Danielle Feinberg, Pixar’s director of photography, who explains how she builds a 3D world inside a computer, using math, science and code to create stories with soul and wonder;
• Juan Enriquez, leading authority in genomic code and “Evolving Ourselves” author, who delves into the complex ethical questions raised by the rise of intelligent design;
• Paula Hammond, MIT's Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, who reveals new technologies being developed to kill cancer cells;
• Artist Zaria Forman, who uses her work to bring attention to the imminent perils of climate change; and
• Radiolab's Latif Nasser takes us on an investigative journey high above the Arctic Circle to solve the mystery of a tiny fragment of bone from thousands of years ago.
This special also includes three original short films produced by ITVS: “Bridge to the Future,” by Denise Zmekhol and Max Salomon, about designer Joris Laarman, who plans to use a robot to build a 3D bridge; “Our Place in Space,” by David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg, about the future of space exploration, featuring Bill Nye; and “The Rapture,” by Ric Burns, featuring the late Oliver Sacks. A co-production of TED and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
“Our mission at TED is to spread ideas,” said Juliet Blake, producer of TED TALKS LIVE and TED's Curator of Special Projects. “This series brings PBS viewers an eye-opening evening of television brimming with powerful thinking, humanity and passion.”
“The public media and TED Talks collaboration further enhances efforts to support innovative ideas and to encourage deeper dialogue among diverse communities and platforms,” said Pat Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. “This partnership builds on the CPB-supported TED Talks Education, which premiered as an American Graduate special in 2013.”
“High-quality, enriching programming is the hallmark of our work at PBS,” said Marie Nelson, Vice President News & Public Affairs at PBS. “TED TALKS 'Science And Wonder’ is a wonderful example of the type of smart and compelling content viewers can find only on PBS.”
“This partnership provides a fantastic opportunity to connect the work of brilliant independent filmmakers with the talents of TED speakers, bringing audiences a rich experience on many levels,” says Tamara Gould, Senior Vice President of National Productions at ITVS.
Two additional TED Talks specials, “War And Peace” and “Education Revolution” will premiere later this year on PBS.
“TED Talks: Science And Wonder” is curated by Chris Anderson and Juliet Blake. The executive producer is Juliet Blake and Allen Kelman is the producer. TED content director is Kelly Stoetzel. Executive producers for ITVS are Tamara Gould and Sally Jo Fifer. Directed by Linda Mendoza.
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Danielle Feinberg: The Science of Light
"In this excerpt from the PBS special TED Talks: Science and Wonder
Juan Enriquez: Natural vs Unnatural Selection
"In this excerpt from the PBS special TED Talks: Science and Wonder
Latif Nasser: Discovery in the Arctic
"In this excerpt from the PBS special TED Talks: Science and Wonder
