Funny TED Talks are almost always a fun time. Especially if you happen to be an expert procrastinator like Tim Urban. Then they are the perfect way to waste (*liven up*) your day.
All jokes aside (what jokes?), TED Talks are great ways to entertain and educate everyone. Especially during that one psych class back in high school when you had 20 minutes left and your teacher had no more material.
Curious about curiosity? Interested in learning more about extraterrestrial life? Maybe you’ve been constantly thinking about how much you love live music. Or, if you’re really looking for a fun time, quantum physics is always an option. Always. There are literally dozens of topics so there’s definitely something out there that should catch your interest. At least, I hope.
However, everyone loves a good laugh (unless your Joffrey from Game of Thrones), so I have took it upon myself to watch just about 15 supposedly funny TED Talks (I know, what am I doing with my life?). Only 7 made it to the final round and in order to receive that honor, they had to make me laugh or smile the entire time. Trust me when I say you should find humor in these amazing and funny TED Talks.
I got 99 problems…palsy is just one | Maysoon Zayid
Maysoon takes the stage and begins with “I have cerebral palsy. I shake all the time.” From there, she takes the audience on a hilarious journey from her times as an actress, stand-up comedian, philanthropist and advocate for the disabled.
I honestly enjoyed every second of Maysoon’s talk and loved how she raised awareness while also making everyone laugh. She’s an inspirational, confident and witty woman with a positive outlook on life. Simply amazing.
Also, if you are a quote connoisseur, then this is the quote mecca – “If a wheelchair user can’t play Beyoncé, Beyoncé can’t play a wheelchair user.” My favorite TED talk!!!
More adventures in replying to spam | James Veitch
James Veitch is off the walls comical. During his talk, he narrates the hilarious and outlandish conversation he had over email with a (rather intelligent) spammer who tries (and ultimately fails) to get James to pass over some sensitive information. James, however, turns it into one of the funniest speeches/conversations I have ever heard. What can I say? He has a gift.
You will also receive incredibly helpful advice and tips to get you off a scammer’s list. It’s foolproof.
Now I want to reply to some spam and ask for my free toaster. Iconic.
This is what happens when you reply to spam email | James Veitch
This guy is the man of funny business. I mean, he knows how to turn freaking spam into a laughing matter. If that’s not talent, I don’t know what is (well I do, but for the sake of the sentence, I don’t).
James spent much of his time spamming his spammer and the ending was perfect. You have got to watch it. He actually gets the spammer to use some code words and, well, I have no words for those code words. This is definitely a must-watch funny TED Talk. He should create a series called The Chronicles of Spamiverse: A Giant Gummy Lizard’s Tale.
The agony of trying to unsubscribe | James Veitch
James Veitch is back at it again with another comical convo; he is truly a master of his craft, especially when creating funny ted talks.
This time, instead of spammers, we are brought into the world of trying to unsubscribe from mailing lists that mean nothing to us. However, sometimes things do not go as planned.
James has met his match after trying to unsubscribe from a supermarket’s mailing list twice with no success. By that point, there were two things he could do: write a strongly worded letter to the supermarket or have a delightful conversation with Danny the manager.
For funny TED Talks, you should definitely check out James Veitch because he is downright comical!
Inside the mind of a master procrastinator | Tim Urban
I have never heard something as true as what Tim Urban spoke about in this funny TED Talk. It is amazing. If you’re someone who procrastinates – and let’s face it, who isn’t? – then this will have you going yeah, mhm, uhuh, woah, ooooh yeah I know that feeling, wow this guy really understands me.
What makes this TED Talk hold your interest for the full 14 minutes is the humor Urban infuses into his speech through the use of personal stories. There’s even something he calls the Dark Playground and the Instant Gratification Monkey. All things you must know in order to survive the world of procrastination.
One woman, eight hilarious characters | Sarah Jones
See, this right here is what I wish I could do . . . accents. I’m a bit jealous.
Sarah may be one woman, but she has so many alter characters within her and they are all incredibly distinct. In fact, if I listened without watching, I would honestly think it’s a completely different person speaking. Truly talented.
She captured the different nuances, mannerisms, and voices to create real people which is what makes this funny TED Talk unbelievably freakin’ amazing. You go Sarah!
Do schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson
Sir Ken Robinson enlightens us on the modern school system; a system destined to stamp out your creativity. Sounds depressing, I know.
However, Robinson managed to not only make me smile, but also got a laugh out of me in this funny TED Talk. His sense of humor makes a rather dreary topic, light and humorous while also being informative.
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