The secret weapon [abolishing factory farming] against pandemics that nobody wants to talk about | Alex O'Connor

‘Alex O’Connor is a prominent podcaster, YouTuber and student at the University of Oxford. In his TEDx talk, Alex puts forward the case against factory farming, not only based on ethical concerns, but also by exploring how factory farms can become breeding grounds for Zoonotic viruses.’

View here (TedTalk, Youtube, Mar 5, 2021)

A Covid-19 ‘exit’ strategy to end lockdown and reopen the economy | Uri Alon

‘How can we return to work without spurring a second surge of coronavirus infection? Biologist Uri Alon shares a thought-provoking strategy: four days at work followed by 10 days of lockdown, a cycle that would exploit a weakness in the virus's biology and potentially cut its reproductive rate to a manageable level. Learn more about this approach -- which has already been adopted by both companies and countries -- and how it could be a key to reopening the economy responsibly. (This virtual conversation, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson and science curator David Biello, was recorded on May 20, 2020.)’

Watch here (TED Talk, May 28, 2020)

Ray Dalio discusses depression economics and what to expect

Ray Dalio, "Global Macro Investor", philanthropist and founder of the world's largest hedge fund, understands deeply the inner workings of the world economy. In this 52-minute interview with Corey Hajim and Chris Anderson of TED, he mentions the following:

1. The world is going through a massive stress test, akin to the 1930s, when there would be widespread economic collapse, money printing and subsequent restructuring. Wealth will be redistributed but the levers of power will decide how it would be (within nations and internationally). This will cause a lot of friction, even wars.
2. Even today, there is demonisation of "others" even if they are being helpful. For example, while China is helping many countries, anyone holding such views can be ostracised in the US.
3. It is an opportunity to reform capitalism to create more equal opportunities, greater harmony, more innovation and more productivity via universal education.
4. Companies that win will be those that provide basic needs and those that are adaptive and creative. Algorithmic thinking, especially in investment, will give way to more human interventions and creative input.
5. For the individual investor, he calls for humility and diversification, and not to try to time the market. Cash, he stresses, is not good investment.

View here (TED, April 9, 2020)