Stefana Broadbent: How the Internet enables intimacy >> Devdutt Pattanaik: East vs. west -- the myths that mystify >> Cameron Carpenter's dizzying improv on the organ >> Itay Talgam: Lead like the great conductors >> Magnus Larsson: Turning sand dunes into architecture >> Beau Lotto: Optical illusions show how we see >> Robert Thurman: Expanding your circle of compassion >> James Forbes: Compassion at the dinner table >> Daniel Pink: The surprising science of motivation >> Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off >>
via blog.ted.com
These are TED's recommendations, not mine. I've seen only two of these during the year. But those two make me think the rest are worth a look.