Feb
18
Written by:
adminsophia
2/18/2011 2:24 AM
As much as it might make our lives crazy, tumultuous and stressful, most human beings spend a great deal of time seeking out love and sex. We are hard-wired to want companionship, security, physical contact and a deep, intimate connection with those around us– sometimes forming bonds that last a lifetime or in some cases, just one night. Because love is such a big part of who we are as humans, it can be immensely enlightening to learn more about the biology and sociology behind love, relationships and sex and why they drive us like they do. These talks offer listeners a chance to do just that, and may just teach you a thing or two about love, helping you understand why you just can’t get that special someone in your college courses out of your mind.
Helen Fisher studies the brain in love: If you’ve ever been in love, you know just how happy, delirious and sometimes downright crazy it can make you feel. In this talk, you’ll get a chance to see how those feelings are reflected in the brain, both when you’re riding high on love and when you’ve just been dumped.
Mary Roach: 10 things you didn’t know about orgasm: You’ll hear some funny, bizarre and interesting tidbits of research from the past few hundred years on human orgasms, some of which you’ll find intriguing and others– well, just plain strange.
Stefana Broadbent: How the Internet enables intimacy: Think spending too much time on the internet can cripple you socially? In a world where more and more couples meet online, friends connect over the miles and web access is ubiquitous, this talk on how the internet can actually help connect us more intimately just makes sense.
Cindy Gallop: Make Love, Not Porn: There is a big difference between the sex that happens in real life and that which is documented in pornography and that dichotomy is the subject of this lecture from Cindy Gallop. She discusses how this difference has created a world where young people, men especially, have skewed ideas about sex and what their partners will like or enjoy.
Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability: A key component of true intimacy is making yourself vulnerable to another person and letting them really see who you are. In this talk, you’ll learn how the ability to empathize, love, and share your personal vulnerabilities can not only bring you closer to another human but your humanity itself.
Rebecca Saxe: How we read each other’s minds: Couples often get into arguments because one person expected the other to know what they were thinking, hoping or wishing. While this isn’t always fair, in this talk from Rebecca Saxe you’ll learn that while we can’t know everything someone else is thinking, we often know much more than we give ourselves credit for.
Dan Dennett: Cute, sexy, sweet, funny: Do you know what evolutionary reason is behind why you find certain characteristics cute, sexy or funny? Learn more about just why we like or are attracted to the things we are in this talk from philosopher and scientist Dan Dennett.
Eve Ensler on security: Most human beings crave security in one form or another, whether it’s from a job, home or more commonly, another human being. In this talk, Eve Ensler shares some wonderful stories of finding security not only in others, but in ourselves.
Julia Sweeney has "The Talk": Sex can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes time to explain it to kids. Watch this lecture from comedienne and SNLalumna Julia Sweeney on her struggle to explain the birds and the bees to her young, inquisitive daughter.
Diane J. Savino: The case for same-sex marriage: Marriage is the culmination of a loving, committed relationship for many people around the world. But what about those who are in loving, committed same-sex relationships? In this passionate talk given in the state Senate, Savino calls for lawmakers to recognize the bonds between all people, even those in same-sex relationships.
Virginia Postrel on glamour: Glamour and sex appeal go hand in hand, and men and women alike have been both seeking it out and seeking to capture it for themselves for centuries. Learn more about just what glamour is, how we use it and just how powerful it really can be from this talk.
John Hodgman: Aliens, love — where are they?: John Hodgman begins this talk sharing a story about alien encounters, but what begins as a silly tale ends up as a sweet love story about his wife, proving that we really, truly aren’t alone in this big universe.
Helen Fisher tells us why we love + cheat: Love can make us feel great but it can also make us feel miserable, so why do we seek it out with such singular determination? Helen Fisher sheds some light on the matter, explaining the biochemistry and evolution behind why we fall in, and out, of love.
Tony Porter: A call to men: Men often get it drilled into their skulls that they need to act like a stereotypical manly man if they want to be considered masculine. In this talk, you’ll hear from Tony Porter, sharing stories from his own life, on how this can be detrimental to relationships with and attitudes about women.
Elizabeth Pisani: Sex, drugs and HIV — let’s get rational: If you’re engaged in sexual activity, STDs should be something you think about and protect yourself against at all times. In this talk, you’ll learn about many of the misconceptions about one particular STD, HIV, and how changing some real-world behaviors may be able to slow or reduce its spread.
Reposted from http://www.onlineclasses.org/2011/02/17/15-fascinating-ted-talks-on-love-sex