Science & Technology

Coya Paz Brownrigg: The haunting truth of ghost stories | TED

Settle in for a spooky delight as theater educator Coya Paz Brownrigg lays out three types of bone-chilling tales and exhumes the grave truths they hold about longing, meaning and the cultural value of eerie encounters. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. The TED Talks…

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Settle in for a spooky delight as theater educator Coya Paz Brownrigg lays out three types of bone-chilling tales and exhumes the grave truths they hold about longing, meaning and the cultural value of eerie encounters.

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

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72 Comments

  1. Francisco Merino

    January 21, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    Greetings! I hope you are doing great, keep going!

  2. mayur bhat

    January 21, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    I’m so confused rn

  3. Abell Seyfu

    January 21, 2022 at 4:16 pm

    One doesn’t experience self-transcendence, the illusion of self only dissipates🎈

  4. 🎯Motivation Bay Channel

    January 21, 2022 at 4:16 pm

    The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. Take charge o your life.👌

    • B

      January 21, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      Ha!.. what a beautiful rhetoric of the ruling class…

  5. CannonC0cker

    January 21, 2022 at 4:33 pm

    Interesting perspective on ghost stories and their place in keeping history alive. Thank you for your closing reminder about considering what the ghost wants from us and what we want from the ghost.

  6. Peggy

    January 21, 2022 at 4:37 pm

    I’ve never thought like that before when it comes to ghosts .. you gave me food for thought

  7. dirtsky

    January 21, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    Ghosts aren’t real for the love of god…

  8. MIDNIGHT

    January 21, 2022 at 4:47 pm

    Fruit for thought; what if they are not ghost at all, No living dead kind of a stuff; are altogether a new specie beyond our eyes lens? A living being in parallel and overlapping dimension. Beyond our human sensory powers..

    Am afraid your entire theory may take altogether different paradigm.

    We call them Jin (plural, Janat).

  9. The Chaotic Allegory Show

    January 21, 2022 at 4:55 pm

    The beautiful nature of a subtle thing can be completely under appreciated. The noisy nature of everyday life distorts the opportunity to slow moments down to enjoy them longer and in real time.

  10. RRIDAFITNESS

    January 21, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼🌿🌿🌿🌿👍🏽👍

  11. UncleBuZ

    January 21, 2022 at 5:03 pm

    Just like the claims a certain deity exists, one needs first evidence to support the claim ghosts and supernatural phenomena exists.

    And i have yet to see any valid evidence so i do not.

  12. Ligia Sommers

    January 21, 2022 at 5:54 pm

    Super interesting! I also had several with these stories 🙏🏻✨🌹

  13. Brad Barton

    January 21, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    When I was a senior in high school, a friend committed suicide in the theater room of the school… 37 years ago this week… it’s intriguing how the ghost stories about him that permeate the school have evolved

    • Perry

      January 21, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      sorry to hear that
      sorry if this is inappropriate but can you tell me one of the stories?

    • Brad Barton

      January 21, 2022 at 10:38 pm

      @Perry What actually happened: He went in to the theater room just as the lunch period was ending and the next class hour was beginning (I literally had just left the theater room 5 minutes before). He started asking philosophical questions of anyone who would listen. He then went up on stage, removed a sawed off shotgun from a briefcase, and pulled the trigger with it in his mouth.

      The stories I’ve heard range from him hanging himself in the main auditorium to him doing it in the middle of a play performance… neither is true. I’ve heard the kids say his ghost wanders the main stage late at night, causing lights to flicker and things to drop from the rafters above (about 3 stories up). I’ve also heard that sometimes there is a certain seat in the theater that will squeak as if someone is sitting in it that you can hear when its quiet in the auditorium.

      It’s just interesting to hear how the legend grew over the years…

      Now, I do have a couple of ghost stories from 13 seasons in the haunted house business that I have trouble explaining today… involving people associated with the haunt that died (not from anything haunted house related).

  14. Alejandro Curado

    January 21, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    Is that academic!?

  15. Lyssa’s Letters

    January 21, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    Great talk!

  16. CMDR After Hours

    January 21, 2022 at 8:02 pm

    Normalising demons of course, making it normal to chant and call on spirits which you have no business calling on. Serving the system no doubt. There’s no “outer space” and what they call “greys” are really just demons and they know that. Allister crowley opened up a portal and saw one and drew one… they aren’t “aliens” they are in fact demons.

  17. Robert Wayne

    January 21, 2022 at 8:18 pm

    Although I do not believe in an afterlife, this presentation is intriguing. A great story…about stories! Boo!👻👻👻

  18. Alwyn Nito

    January 21, 2022 at 9:20 pm

    …. (dots = wtheck, I just watched something related, wtheck algorithm, are you Psychic, Algorithm???? GREEAAT….talking to myself and an algorithm). This is completely unrelated-ish, WHAT IF epilepsy sufferers had a cybernetic implant to control flow (?) or an induced K.O device and resuscitation device at the ready? (I don’t know how they all work, I’m just rambling again). Don’t do dangerous stuff, kids, beware flashing lights and colours epilepsy people…wait does body activity and etc levels trigger epilepsy too??? Don’t watches and phones have body signal warnings now? Ugh, rambling again

  19. Virtual Treadmill Walk, Nature Sounds

    January 21, 2022 at 9:46 pm

    Interesting prospective ❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸 Stay active Stay Healthy!!

  20. Love not Hate

    January 21, 2022 at 10:38 pm

    this was an awesome talk. I don’t know if I believe in ghost, but my mom does. She says that my dad has checked in on her through the mirror that he gave her as a wedding gift. This mirror has been with her all these years and stands currently in a guest room. It is a full length mirror and a guest who stayed in that room said he saw a man in the mirror and then pointed to my dad in a picture and said it was that man. I’m not 100% sure if this is true, but it’s interesting. He would definitely be in the third category

    • Agn Lac

      January 22, 2022 at 12:26 am

      Thats a little bit creepy

  21. chas in lakewood

    January 21, 2022 at 11:25 pm

    Some say there are no such thing as ghosts.
    But we don’t know everything we are ever going to know.

  22. Nicky's Channel

    January 21, 2022 at 11:33 pm

    To be “ghosted” is to have your entire name and identity wiped from the records, so this is likely what inspired that name convention for literal records of real people vanishing.

  23. Uridium

    January 22, 2022 at 12:36 am

    How many ghosts are there then, everyone who ever died from the dawn of man. Or do animals apply. This is what makes it not real to me, the facts that man always makes up ego stories where humans are the center. And anyone who ever died or just the cases WE who are still alive feel are “allowed” becoming a ghost (the terrible injustice) Even if it is only for them, there would be billions, everywhere. For me there is no difference between believing in ghosts, god, werewolves, tarot readings and raindance. All of it are stories made by an egotistical human.

  24. noobius the 14th

    January 22, 2022 at 1:58 am

    i really fucking hope this is about debunking the concept of ghosts and spirits, or else what is wrong with TED these days??? watches video

    nope.. ignorant and infantile.. jesus fucking christ.. i am don’t with this retarded platform!

  25. CASSANDRA DARWINIANA FATHER KNOWS BEST

    January 22, 2022 at 2:31 am

    Ghost stories with half a man sitting on some virtual bench will be the new type of alienation came in to poison us with the multiverse of Zuckerberg, very soon. Brazil

  26. Eli Nope

    January 22, 2022 at 2:39 am

    The ghost of bloody Mary probably smiles at the plight of modern teen girls.

  27. Azmr Haq

    January 22, 2022 at 3:22 am

    this speaker is so adoreable

  28. Siti Fadhilah

    January 22, 2022 at 3:41 am

    I remember Fear Street immediately

  29. wu eric

    January 22, 2022 at 3:43 am

    i love this perspective !

  30. Marad Hero

    January 22, 2022 at 3:48 am

    Thank you very muck Coya! You are a very brave and honest woman. I feel , even you did keep trying to filter a lot of information considered to be truth or length of speech. And also being acceptance by audiences. There are differences between ghost and soul and mind projection, but there is something in common , and it is a range of energy.

  31. Hamdoolam 6

    January 22, 2022 at 4:45 am

    I love it!! Ted talks my favorite thing to fall asleep to!!!

  32. Artistic Art

    January 22, 2022 at 6:36 am

    I clapped, somewhere in the middle when you emphasized your question to the audience, but you deserve a standing aviation😅( the corect one didn’t pop up in the suggestions) at the end. Where can i find more of these stories? Documentaries 😮?

  33. Early Xplorer studios

    January 22, 2022 at 6:52 am

    This woman’s accent is haunting 😂🤣

  34. Deepak Arya

    January 22, 2022 at 8:11 am

    Thanks

  35. Ananya Akruwala

    January 22, 2022 at 9:56 am

    This was a very fascinating take about the origin of ghost stories. I think this can be applied to the origin of a lot of folklore as well. Stories about incidents that may or may not have happened, but the important part is the message they impart to the listeners.

  36. Tapan Sadhu

    January 22, 2022 at 11:33 am

    It is an subject to search, then re-search.When the word ‘ghost’ and ‘spirit’ are there, it is surely exist.

  37. utkarsh ranjan

    January 22, 2022 at 12:22 pm

    Me and my imaginary friend watching this video together 🥂🍿

  38. ✿Shahrezad Nor💜 Mohammadiy

    January 22, 2022 at 12:45 pm

    TED | Tell me.. what the truth in there 🌏🌍🌎!!

  39. ✿Shahrezad Nor💜 Mohammadiy

    January 22, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    TED | Tell me.. what the truth in there 🌏🌍🌎!!

    thank you.
    ###

  40. Nasri 123

    January 22, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    I do Believe you!
    But if I reveal the reality of the ghost it is just a disease that provoke at the middle of the night.

  41. Alex Benjamin

    January 22, 2022 at 1:44 pm

    I was at a retirement seminar and the speaker spoke on how he quit his job after he made well over $950,000 PROFIT within 3months he invested $120,000. I just began investing and i will really appreciate any tips or helpful guide.

    • Alex Benjamin

      January 22, 2022 at 1:45 pm

      @Terry Pasca that is totally true, but how well does a financial advisor improve your profit? What is the experience like using an advisor?

    • Ismail Hamza

      January 22, 2022 at 1:50 pm

      @UCKWGvTMGs-LiWjEK33TDXAg My spouse recommended, Blaine Phillips jr . to me after investing $150,000 and he has really helped us financially.

    • Terry Pasca

      January 22, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      @Alex Benjamin I’ve traded for several months. I barely knew anything about the markets when I started but recently, someone advised I get a financial advisor that has good experience. I did and things changed. I finally got my profit of $330,000 on my crypto investment

    • Alex Benjamin

      January 22, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      @Terry Pasca please how do i get to reach him?

    • Ismail Hamza

      January 22, 2022 at 1:52 pm

      @Alex Benjamin Look him up on the web, you can reach him through his personal site

  42. Elise Hingson

    January 22, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    We have more to fear from the living!

  43. Afreen Zahra

    January 22, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    What an interesting perspective!!

  44. Freaky

    January 22, 2022 at 10:27 pm

    You are gorgeous 🙈🌹 and good speech

  45. Black Rebel Radio®️

    January 23, 2022 at 12:30 am

    how did you meet ted talks? i was doing a train install. you just a curb after thought and…… diud this really happen? wes. did he meet ted talk on a cig? it may have happened. you got details? you tell me…./

  46. Alexander Redhorse

    January 23, 2022 at 2:37 am

    people who use emojis are straight up living bots

  47. Alexander Redhorse

    January 23, 2022 at 2:38 am

    also we are not just divided by politics. there has been an even greater class division in the world that is becoming increasingly more acute. it’s not just “political” – it’s class war.

  48. Mrboobiesrider

    January 23, 2022 at 6:24 am

    What a curvey and a brilliant lady

  49. Cute Animal Wizard World.

    January 23, 2022 at 11:47 am

    These ghost stories and unexpected supernatural events are all based on information the person receives.
    For example: Only Muslims see Jinns, Only Christians see demons, Only Hindu people see their Hindu gods, Only Catholics see Jesus etc. while athirst people don’t see any of them(Unless told that they are real).

    The Human subconsciousness generate these hallucinations based on what the brain knows about.If you never heard of any of these stories then you will never see any ghost or anythings else.

  50. Mohd Sarfaraz

    January 23, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    This is so beautiful. Thank you for your insights and thank you so much for being open and vulnerable.

  51. Daxxon Jabiru

    January 24, 2022 at 5:46 am

    *”Guh-guh-guh-GHOST!”*

  52. Rachel A

    January 24, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    Bravo Coya. Congrats!!

  53. Norwich Norfolk

    January 24, 2022 at 9:41 pm

    All I can say is I’ve seen 2 ghosts over the last few years…. 1 during the day and the other at night so I’m a true believer

  54. Green Coffee

    January 25, 2022 at 10:13 am

    Never thought or seen the perspective of ghost stories in this way.I love ghost stories,so TED do u have a ghost story to tell

  55. Martynas Valančius

    January 25, 2022 at 9:08 pm

    bjutiful

  56. Tyrone Williams

    January 26, 2022 at 8:32 am

    I find the smiling and disconnect when speaking about lynching and killings of human beings to be offensive!

  57. Huy Đỗ Đức

    January 26, 2022 at 2:27 pm

    This video is so meaningful. I have never thought about aspects of the ghost stories. When I listen to them, they almost are felt by human fear and they are just simple stories that we talk to entertain and I don’t realize the meaning behind each story. Oh well, I am always so scared when I listen to a ghost story, and that story can haunt me a long time from when I was a child until now. But thank to this video, I have a different view about this kind of story and maybe I will be less afraid and I will be calmer down when I meet a ghost one day, lol.

  58. Luân Bùi

    January 26, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    I still believe the ghost exists, in my entire life to now, I have had many accidents but I can’t die or big injuries, I think my generation still protect me, and I am always grateful to them!

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