Every young geek at some point has longed for the ‘direct brain to computer’ interface. The Matrix movie series took the concept to science fantasy. Now super-heroes of science are connecting computers directly to the brain, and the brain… is typing. This short and approachable video presentation from Stanford University is equally scientifically fascinating and an inspiring message to those who need these interfaces to fully communicate.

Krishna Shenoy is creating “brain-computer interfaces” that will enable paralyzed patients to control prosthetic arms and computer cursors. In this short talk, Shenoy describes how his team of Stanford researchers has built a system that achieves typing at 15 words-per-minute, just by “thinking about it”.

Watch it on Academic Earth

I may have spoken too soon! It turns out science has created the Matrix-like fiber optic connection to control our brain.  That’s the ‘good’ news.  The bad news is they discovered our brain is wired for BlueRay.  This equally scientifically fascinating video, though by a slightly less interesting presenter, is well worth the fifteen minutes of your life to watch a genuinely brilliant presenter talk about the breakthroughs in how he and his colleagues are able to communicate directly to the brain using fiber optics and blue light.

For those who are visual/pictorial thinkers (as I am) this is a fascinating and very personal presentation.  For those of whom who wonder where frequently odd and occasionally wonderfully innovative ideas come from, this should provide some interesting insights.  Ms. Grandin has a disinct cattle-country style about her, so if needed take a minute to let your mind get past it, as she has some interesting ideas worth sharing (the TED conference goal).

Designer, author and movie subject, Dr. Temple Grandin talks about how her mind works — sharing her ability to “think in pictures,” which helps her solve problems that neurotypical brains might miss. She makes the case that the world needs people across the autism spectrum: visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers, and all kinds of smart geeky kids.

We have all known parents who describe their children as a “genius” – but do we as society place untenable burdens on those who are correctly or incorrectly adorned with the genius label?  Author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical historical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius.

A really profound speech to the graduating class of Harvard by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

A fascinating perspective on the threat to our children and how we can do something about it.