Accessibility links
The Story Behind The Numbers : TED Radio Hour Is life today better than ever before? Does the data bear that out? This hour, TED speakers explore the stories we tell with numbers — and whether those stories portray the full picture.

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

A journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, and new ways to think and create. Based on riveting TEDTalks from the world's most remarkable minds.
The Story Behind The Numbers
Enlarge this image

The Story Behind The Numbers Dian Lofton/iStock hide caption

toggle caption
Dian Lofton/iStock
The Story Behind The Numbers

The Story Behind The Numbers

Dian Lofton/iStock

The Story Behind The Numbers

Is life today better than ever before? Does the data bear that out? This hour, TED speakers explore the stories we tell with numbers — and whether those stories portray the full picture.

Steven Pinker: Can Numbers Show Us That Progress Is Inevitable?

Steven Pinker on the TED stage. Ryan Lash /Ryan Lash/TED hide caption

toggle caption
Ryan Lash /Ryan Lash/TED

TED Radio Hour

Steven Pinker: Can Numbers Show Us That Progress Is Inevitable?

by NPR/TED Staff

Steven Pinker: Can Numbers Show Us That Progress Is Inevitable?

Listen · 12:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/639229357/639347901" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Hanna Rosin: Data Shows Women Have Progressed. But What's Next?

Hanna Rosin on the TED stage. James Duncan Davidson/TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED

TED Radio Hour

Hanna Rosin: Data Shows Women Have Progressed. But What's Next?

by NPR/TED Staff

Hanna Rosin: Data Shows Women Have Progressed. But What's Next?

Listen · 10:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/639246777/639373399" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Michael Green: What Does GDP Not Tell Us?

Michael Green on the TED stage. James Duncan Davidson/TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED

TED Radio Hour

Michael Green: What Does GDP Not Tell Us?

by NPR/TED Staff

Michael Green: What Does GDP Not Tell Us?

Listen · 8:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/639250769/639350155" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Paul Gilding: How Do We Continue To Grow If The Earth Has Reached Its Limit?

Paul Gilding on TED Stage. James Duncan Davidson/TED hide caption

toggle caption
James Duncan Davidson/TED

TED Radio Hour

Paul Gilding: How Do We Continue To Grow If The Earth Has Reached Its Limit?

by NPR/TED Staff

Paul Gilding: How Do We Continue To Grow If The Earth Has Reached Its Limit?

Listen · 9:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/639290216/639350345" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

TED Radio HourTED Radio Hour

A journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, and new ways to think and create. Based on riveting TEDTalks from the world's most remarkable minds.
Browse archive or search npr.org