Accessibility links
From Curiosity To Discovery : TED Radio Hour Why do some people spend years trying to answer a single question, or even risk their lives to discover something new? In this hour, TED speakers explore how curiosity leads to unexpected places.

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

Life's biggest questions, explored.
What drives discovery?
Enlarge this image

What drives discovery? Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of TED
What drives discovery?

What drives discovery?

Courtesy of TED

From Curiosity To Discovery

Why do some people spend years trying to answer a single question, or even risk their lives to discover something new? In this hour, TED speakers explore how curiosity leads to unexpected places.

James Cameron: Why Did A Hollywood Film Director Journey To The Bottom Of The Ocean?

Director James Cameron speaking about his childhood obsessions on the TED stage. Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

James Cameron: Why Did A Hollywood Film Director Journey To The Bottom Of The Ocean?

by NPR/TED Staff

Why Did A Hollywood Film Director Journey To The Bottom Of The Ocean?

Listen · 4:36
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/342136697/347715026" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Thomas Thwaites: How Do You Build A Toaster...From Scratch?

Thomas Thwaites' finished toaster. Courtesy of Thomas Thwaites/Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of Thomas Thwaites/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

Thomas Thwaites: How Do You Build A Toaster...From Scratch?

by NPR/TED Staff

How Do You Build A Toaster ... From Scratch?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/342138931/347715129" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Listen · 1:00
♫
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Jody Talbot
Buy

Buy Featured Music

Song
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Album
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Artist
Jody Talbot

Your purchase helps support NPR programming. How?

Wendy Chung: Could Genetics Hold The Answer To Curing Autism?

Wendy Chung shares her discoveries about autism on the TED stage. James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

Wendy Chung: Could Genetics Hold The Answer To Curing Autism?

by NPR/TED Staff

Could Genetics Hold The Answer To Curing Autism?

Listen · 8:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/342135819/347715386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Adam Savage: How Do Simple Questions Lead To Big Discoveries?

Adam Savage talks on the TED stage about where curiosity has led him. James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

Adam Savage: How Do Simple Questions Lead To Big Discoveries?

by NPR/TED Staff

How Do Simple Questions Lead To Big Discoveries?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/342147291/347716057" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Listen · 1:00
♫
Curious Groove (Instrumental) Toyko507
Nathan Wolfe: Are Microbes The Next Frontier?

Microbiologist Nathan Wolfe describes the potential of "biological dark matter." James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

Nathan Wolfe: Are Microbes The Next Frontier?

by NPR/TED Staff

Are Microbes The Next Frontier?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/342134451/347718089" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
James Cameron: How Far Can Curiosity Take You?

James Cameron talks about how his fascination with the world around him has driven his film career. James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

James Cameron: How Far Can Curiosity Take You?

by NPR/TED Staff

How Far Can Curiosity Take You?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/347109169/347718107" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Listen · 0:12
♫
Curious Barenaked Ladies

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

Life's biggest questions, explored.
Browse archive or search npr.org