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The coming neurological epidemic: Gregory Petsko on TED.comToday

Biochemist Gregory Petsko makes a convincing argument that, in the next 50 years, we'll see an epidemic of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's, as the world population ages. His solution: more research into the brain and its functions. He also shares a few simple things we can do for ourselves to keep our brains healthy. (Recorded February 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 3:46.)

Watch Gregory Petsko's talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of almost 350 TEDTalks -- including more talks about the brain.

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Wii Remote thereminNovember 29

In an ingenious geek-out that's almost too perfectly suited for TED, designer Ken Moore presents a much-anticipated hack of the Nintendo Wii Remote: a theremin.

It seems to be a nearly serendipitous merger of TEDTalks by thereminist Pamelia Kurstin and Wii hacker Johnny Lee. Has anyone seen other hybridized Ideas Worth Spreading (coincidental or not)? Leave us a comment.

(Via Boing Boing and a zillion others.)

Sneak preview: Next month on TED.comNovember 27

We're not posting a new TEDTalk today or tomorrow -- it's Thanksgiving Day in the United States. But here are some talks we're excited to post in December:

Next week: Richard Preston on the giant trees
You might know Richard Preston from his groundbreaking reportage on disease, like The Hot Zone and his new collection, Panic in Level 4 (which has been passed around the TED office with the warning, "Don't read the last chapter while eating"). But here he talks about an equally awe-inspiring topic: the giant trees of the Pacific Northwest US. Springing from a seed smaller than a dime, they become among the largest organisms on the planet, and we know very little about them.

Week of December 9: Eva Zeisel on a long life in design
Video editor Marla Mitchnick writes: "This is a total gem of a talk. Zeisel is a real grande-dame of design, and a very dry wit. She was imprisoned in Russia during Stalin's day, for 16 months, her work is stunning and ground-breaking and elegant, and she has a hilarious story about her first 'job' (as a woman working in an industrial pottery in Budapest around 1925) where -- on her very first day -- the guys left her a 'surprise' ..."

Week of December 16: Dan Gilbert with more surprising thoughts on happiness
Dan Gilbert is a perennial TEDTalks favo

Atlas Shrugged, updatedNovember 26

The blogosphere is all a-blog of a new cringe-inducing spoof published at McSweeney's. Its title, "Atlas Shrugged Updated for the Current Financial Crisis" sums it up well enough. But here's an excerpt:

"I heard the thugs in Washington were trying to take your Rearden metal at the point of a gun," she said. "Don't let them, Hank. With your advanced alloy and my high-tech railroad, we'll revitalize our country's failing infrastructure and make big, virtuous profits."

"Oh, no, I got out of that suckers' game. I now run my own hedge-fund firm, Rearden Capital Management."

"What?"

Dave Eggers, founder of McSweeney's, won the TED Prize in 2008.

Creative thoughts on how to do the green thing: Andy Hobsbawm on TED.comNovember 26

Ad man Andy Hobsbawm shows iconic images from the media that use creative thinking to help society change for the better. Then he shares a fresh ad campaign about going green -- and some of the fringe benefits. (Recorded February 2008 in Monterey, California. Duration: 4:00.)

Watch Andy Hobsbawm's talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of almost 350 TEDTalks -- including more talks about creativity.

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