logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2019
50m 25s

Wired For Altruism

NPR
About this episode
(Original broadcast date: May 26, 2017). Helping others feels good, but why do some go farther than others? This hour, TED speakers explore ideas about altruism — what motivates us to be altruistic, what limits us and do we ever go too far. TED speakers include psychologist Abigail Marsh, clinical psychologist Cheryl Steed, philosopher Peter Singer, and writer Larissa MacFarquhar.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Feb 2023
Bucking the System (2021)
Original broadcast date: November 12, 2021. We hear calls for systemic change, but what does that look like? This hour, TED speakers share stories of taking on institutions — from schools, to medicine, to policing — so they work for everyone. Guests include economist Emily Oster, ... Show More
50m 49s
Yesterday
What we — and AI — can learn from nature's intelligence
Artificial intelligence is powerful, but what about natural intelligence? This hour, TED speakers explore the intrinsic genius in animal language, insect behavior, plant anatomy and our immune system. Guests include neuroscientist Greg Gage, computational neuroscientist Frances C ... Show More
49m 38s
Jan 9
The secrets in your baby's genes
Genomics researcher Dr. Robert Green explains how sequencing babies’ DNA can reveal hidden health risks. This hour we explore where the benefits end and the ethical dilemmas begin.Guests include Dr. Robert Green, bioethicist and pediatrician Dr. Lainie Friedman Ross and genetic c ... Show More
49m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2020
Psychopaths and Superheroes
We talk a lot about psychopaths - but rarely discuss their polar opposites, super altruists. These are people who go to extreme lengths to help others - even though their acts of kindness might cost them time, money or expose them to physical danger. These folk are also happier t ... Show More
29m 36s
Sep 2018
Coming Soon: The TED Interview
Deep dives into great minds. Season one of this interview series hosted by TED's Chris Anderson launches October 16th, featuring conversations with beloved TED speakers such as author Liz Gilbert, philosopher Sam Harris, Islam scholar Dalia Mogahed, educator Sir Ken Robinson and ... Show More
1m 53s
Oct 2021
Can citizen science save us?
Journalist Mary Ellen Hannibal looks at the important, often overlooked role that citizen science can play in saving the planet.This talk was filmed at TEDxStanford. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading. ... Show More
4m 59s
Feb 2023
Neurodiversidad desde adentro | Aline Bravo
Lo mejor de TED en Español, publicado originalmente el 12 de mayo de 2022. ¿Cómo interactuamos con personas cuyas mentes funcionan de otra manera? En su charla, Aline Bravo nos cuenta su experiencia personal en el espectro autista y nos propone una perspectiva distinta para compr ... Show More
13m 22s
Sep 2020
What we can learn from Arctic people
Alexandra Middleton examines ways to create sustainable policy solutions in the Arctic that center voices native to the region. This talk was filmed at TEDxOulu. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading. To ... Show More
7m 53s
Mar 2022
Academic research is publicly funded -- why isn't it publicly available?
Erica Stone looks at the discrepancies between tax funded academic research and the post-research availability of expensive journals, and advocates for a new, open-access relationship between the public and scholars. This talk was filmed at TEDxMileHighWomen. All TEDx events are ... Show More
10m 54s
Apr 2021
Life after dark in the ancient world
What effect did darkness have on our ancestors? Archaeologist Dr. Nancy Gonlin looks to ancient Maya societies to shed light on this question. This talk was filmed at TEDxBellevueCollege. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ... Show More
9m 16s
Jul 2021
How human are we?
Dr. Nicole Mideo explores how evolutionary insight may force us to reexamine our concept of ‘self’. This talk was filmed at TEDxUofT. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading. To learn more about TEDxSHORTS, ... Show More
6m 59s
Jul 2021
Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch || Dear Therapists
Today it’s great to chat with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch on the podcast. Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, which has sold over a million copies and is currently being adapted as a television series. In a ... Show More
57m 2s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami