What can acting reveal about the mystery of consciousness? Actor and producer Yara Shahidi and cognitive neuroscientist Anil Seth unpack the surprising ways that portraying different characters can reveal insights about our authentic selves — even if we’re not actually performing onstage or onscreen. Explore the intersection of consciousness and identity and discover how our brains and bodies work in tandem to form our understanding of ourselves. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a new series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts exploring ideas at the intersection of their experience.)
Watch Yara Shahidi’s talk from TED2023:
Watch Anil Seth’s talk from TED2017:
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@padaddadada5417
August 27, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Scientism : or the belief that science can explain everything
@ZenMasterChip
August 27, 2024 at 12:22 pm
That’s presumptive! 😝Especially since it hasn’t aired yet! As of this post, it’s airing for the first time in 7 minutes. But that doesn’t mean you’re wrong… so… we’ll see… ♥
@menna-i5i
August 27, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Science can’t explain everything but nothing else had given us better answers.
@shafeeqvk3413
August 27, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Science can’t prove morality
@Rubbe87
August 27, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Eventually
@electronlibre8027
August 27, 2024 at 1:14 pm
If knowledge is infinite , as stupidity and the universe , then there will be infinite question for every answer you find out . On the other hand, stupidity is sometimes , the need to create a God on something not explained by observation ( science ) , about the infinity of the universe , there is doubts about it .
@una365
August 27, 2024 at 12:31 pm
📝 🧠 ☕️❤️🔥
@iamdominiquewill
August 27, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Is this going to be replayed
@TED
August 27, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Yes, this will be on-demand as soon as the Premiere ends
@user-lt4my6df9k
August 27, 2024 at 12:38 pm
…انا اختك بوس ايدك بس صعدو تعليقي خل يشوفو الناس نحن مسنا الضر وين الامه الاسلاميه بكيت متنا من القهر لمن اشكي يا ناس نحن نموت من الجوع والله ماتكلمت الا من جوع ومن ضيق الحال انا وكامل اسرتي تشردنا من بيوتنا بَسَبَبَ الَحَرَبَ نَحَنَ فَيَ حَالَهَ لَايَعَلَمَ بَهَا الَا الَلَهَ حَسَبَنَا الَلَهَ وًّنَعَمَ الَوكيَلَ فَيَ مَنَ اوًّصَلَنَا الَى هَاذا الَحَالَ والله تعبت من هذا الدنيا والله ياخوان تعبت اختك في حال ميعلم به الا الله وًّالَلَهَ الَعَظَيَمَ مَا كتَبَتَ هَذا الَمَنَاشَدَهَ غَيَرَ مَنَ الَضَيَقَ وّالَفَقَر يَاعَالَمَ حَسَوّا فَيَنَا ارَجَوّكمَ وّالَلَهَ الَعَظَيَمَ رَبَ الَعَرَشَ الَعَظَيَمَ انَه الَاكلَ مَا فَيَ عَنَدَيَ بَالَبَيَتَ وًّالَلَهَ يَا اخَوّانَيَ انَهَ اخَوًّنَيَ بَقَعَدَوًّ بَالَيَوًّمَيَنَ مَافَى اكلَ وًّالَلَهَ وًّضَعَنَا كثَيَرَ صَعَبَ نَحَنَ ٥نَفَرَ دَاخَلَ الَبَيَتَ وًّابَيَ مَتَوًّفَيَ وًّلَا يَوًّجَدَ مَنَ يَعَوًّلَ عَلَيَنَا وًّسَاكنَيَنَ فَيَ بَيَتَ اجَارَ لَانَسَتَطَيَعَ دَفَعَ الَاجَارَ الَلَيَ بَاقَيَ عَلَيَنَا انَيَ دخلة على الله ثمَّ عليكِ اني في وجه الله ثم في وجهك اني اترجاك اتوسل اليك تساعدني لوجه الله. الله يَأْخي منَ الصَبَاحُ حُتا الان يَحُرّم علينا الاكل غير الماء اني اقسم بالله العلي العظيم على كتاب الله اني بنت يتيمه من ومعي اخوان صغار اقسم بالله على كتاب الله ان اخوتي ماعاد يقدرو ينطقو بكلمة من شدت الجوع وبيتنا ايجار وصاحب البيت مقدر ضروفنا يريد الإجار او بيخرجنا إلى الشارع و اني اسالك بالله وانشدك بمحمد رسول الله يا اخي لوانت مسلم وتحب الخير انك تساعدني بقدر استطاعتك ان تتواصل معي او تراسلني وتساب على هذا الرقم 967712607481+ وتطلب اسم بطاقتي ولا تتاخر وايعوضك الله بكل خير فيااخي انت رجال إذا شفت اسرتك جاوعين تعمل المستحيل من اجل تامن لهم الاكل ولكن انابنت عيني بصيره ويدي قصيره ليس لي اب مثلك يسمح دمعتى ويحمينى من الذل والاهانة .🥺واخواني سغار ساعدنا انقذنا قبل أن يطردونا في الشارع نتبهدل او نموت من الجوع انا اقسم بالله الذي رفع سبع سموات بلا عمد وبسط الارض ومهداني لااكذب عليك بحرف من هذا الرساله واني ماطلبتك إلى من ضيق وقسوت الضروف والحال الذي احنافيه واني وأسرتي نسالك بالله لولك مقدره على مساعدتنا انك لتاخر علينا احنا في اشد الحاجة والضروف القاسيه جزاك الله خير الجزا وحسبي الله ونعم الوكيل في من يقول اني نصابه من الافضل عندما لا تعلم ضروف الخارين تلتزم الصمت لا حول ولا قوه الا بالله الذي يقدر يساعدنا يتواصل معي ;-‘-“!;'(‘)”|(/()|¶€;:(:)’|€>|≧❤😢❤😢❤🎉😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
@Prashant43146
August 27, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Hi there❤❤
@blob-james-blob
August 27, 2024 at 2:02 pm
This was fascinating! They both had a great flow, it was nice to get lost in the conversation with them
@MyMeLive
August 27, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Times always moving forward so things are always changing. Yet we are obsessed with defining what something is right now, and right now doesn’t really exist…
@TED
August 27, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Tune in next Tuesday, September 3, for our next episode of Intersections, featuring conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and artist Amir Nizar Zuabi.
@Mioka_81
August 27, 2024 at 7:14 pm
TED is great! Please translate it into Korean too~
@TED
August 27, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Tune in next Tuesday, September 3, for our next episode of Intersections, featuring conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and artist Amir Nizar Zuabi:
@jonr6680
August 27, 2024 at 2:47 pm
Fundamental human is tricky.
Self awareness can be dangerous, like a crack in the Matrix.. acting is ironic, it’s like putting ‘you’ in a box and giving yourself permission to explore being ‘another’.
Sounds a bit like multiple personality… But if you are strong enough, would be very freeing, very empowering.
For myself, I would unravel I’m sure. I can barely cope with just being ‘me’.
@jonr6680
August 27, 2024 at 2:55 pm
10:27 Good neuroscientist, AI is just a simulation, right.
But for most ppl the expression of personality is easily replicable by an algorithm. People aren’t that complex, base desires are universal & the assumption of uniqueness is a delusion.
@Paperbutton9
August 27, 2024 at 3:42 pm
highly qualified person and someone who pretends for a living
@bretnetherton9273
August 27, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Awareness is known by awareness alone.
@HakuCell
August 27, 2024 at 6:22 pm
4:18
@CuriosityIgnited
August 27, 2024 at 8:45 pm
This conversation really resonated with me. I’ve always found it challenging to separate who I am from the roles I play in life. Hearing them discuss the fluidity of identity gives me a lot to think about.
@CarlPatterson235
August 29, 2024 at 8:54 am
I’m curious. Could you elaborate on how you have separated who you are from the roles you play?
@Redmoneyusa
August 27, 2024 at 10:22 pm
“Actor” …That woman is a Harvard graduate lol.
@rashidabaakza8554
August 27, 2024 at 11:05 pm
Very interesting discussion. 👍👌
It’s really challenging for an actor to be itself, as a common human being showing emotions, experiences and expressing feelings. Most of the time they are playing different characters in multiple projects at a time, means playing with creativity and experimenting own psychology on and off. 🧠🔬🧪🧘♀️
@brendabeamerford4555
August 28, 2024 at 4:34 am
MeTAtron’s MAtriX3x3 OM’E…
“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” “As above, so below; as below, so above.”
“Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.”
Everything is ALLMIND369 OVEONE IAM=O=QuantuM⚖️ ALLMIND IN 3in1MINDS Body Spirit OVE
light*3÷7 color*3÷7 sound*3÷7.. infinite all mind in Trinity every thought has an opposite charge of itself.
♂️+01=0=-01♀️
Riding the waves through our moments in equilibrium is A NEW beginning in masteRING3X369 of our OWN each individual unique complete Immaculate conceived MIND
1IN3💚3IN1 of
IAM 1LOVES
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In seven colors seven notes seven lights in infinite divisions ALL TOGETHER
Creating all living systems,
Creating All living bodies,
Creating all gravity,
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ElectroMAGnetic geometrical symmetrical fractal order
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Light Never Dies death is our illusion through the terrible twos of childhood in Mercy Mercy Me and our promise rest is real..
Prisoners law in three power three sets all captives free 3Consciousness says
I see you Mirror Mirror I see me wisdoms wisdom’s wisdoms unconditional love and forgiveness is key ⚖️ EnKi 🗝
@shannonlezama6608
August 28, 2024 at 9:19 am
Im loving this conversation. Can we have a part two?
Additionally, I now hold the belief that everyone going into acting should have hypnotherapy done with a loved one present to train the mind to respond to a trigger that will help them disassociate from their characters.
Much love to you all!
@baileybunny97
August 28, 2024 at 10:34 pm
I could listen to them for hours, excellent discussion!!
@diegochavez8752
August 28, 2024 at 10:50 pm
Just reading Being You, amazing book!
@AnilSethNeuroscientist
August 30, 2024 at 6:13 am
thank you!
@fanstream
August 28, 2024 at 11:32 pm
Yes, i really enjoyed the rapport and exchange between these two brilliant and creative humans. Quantum entangled in a convo about one of our greatest mysteries — Consciousness and how we interact and present our “selves”, performative or not, on the myriad stages of our lives.
Yara revealed a vibrant and curious mind towards the end, choosing to ask a relevant and significant question rather than allowing time to flow into whatever outro set on the Ted stage —
@WildHilary
August 29, 2024 at 4:31 am
Robinson Ronald Clark Mark Allen Scott
@thanos3839
August 30, 2024 at 6:29 am
Choose Jesus and be free. People don’t lie when they say Jesus has freed them from the shackles of addiction, depression, laziness etc. Jesus is a miracle worker. Oftentimes, we try so hard to make things right or to improve by our own strength and just fail. Jesus christ carries our burdens; he allows us to really be transformed and find true satisfaction in our lives. Choose Jesus and be free! Choose Jesus and be happy! He sacrificed his life for us and works for our every good! By following Jesus, I know that everything that happens in my life is worked by God for my own development and growth. No matter how much hardship I may go through, I have hope that God’s glory will be revealed in me. Please accept this gift! God is holding his hand out to you, so take hold of it!
@FNFNFN99KKK
September 1, 2024 at 11:24 am
Yara is the definition of beauty and brains!
@tamedromantic9924
September 1, 2024 at 5:22 pm
TED please understand your viewers desire for this dialogue to go on for at least an hour.
@roxytamlin
September 1, 2024 at 8:27 pm
This is interesting. I am actually an actress who is now studying psychology and psychophysiology. I have a very different process to Yara. My acting process involves separating the way I label my relationship with the other characters (this informs my chatacters unconscious needs), and defining what I consciously want to achieve in the conversation. With this, it creates a character who is very different from who I am, who I don’t carry home with me when I leave the set or the theatre. But it also doesn’t involve me needing to work hard at pretending because once the cognitive rules are set, I don’t need to pretend. I know what I want to acheive as that character in that scene, and this delivers the story for the audience.