Accused of leaking state secrets, journalist Lei Cheng was imprisoned in China for more than three years, where she was detained in tight quarters and kept under constant supervision. “Freedom is wasted on the free,” she says, recounting how she and fellow inmates found joy in the smallest of moments: the smell of rain, a poem delivered in secrecy, kindness where it seemed undeserved. She distills the unexpected lessons that confinement taught her — and challenges us to rethink what freedom really means.
Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey!
Become a TED Member today at ted.com/join
Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.