Neutrality can get you through a tough conversation, but it rarely gets you anywhere else. Joshua Johnson, actor/anchor for “The Onion” and former NPR host, makes the case instead for objectivity — parking your own opinions for a moment so you can focus on someone else’s story. He shares three quick ways to turn your most frustrating conversations into real understanding. (Recorded at TED2026 on April 16, 2026)
Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:
Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.
Watch more:
TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at
#TED #TEDTalks #Communication
@BrutusMaximusAurelius
August 10, 2026 at 11:19 am
So that cop who wanted police reform due to his trauma was an idiot. Got it.
@RebeccaMorris-v6m
August 10, 2026 at 11:44 am
When did he say anything like that?
@BrutusMaximusAurelius
August 10, 2026 at 11:50 am
@RebeccaMorris-v6m his whole talk is about how to talk to idiots and he used the cop as an example. His whole talk implies that people who act like the cop and the other man with the statues are automatically idiots.
@kimberly_erin
August 10, 2026 at 1:05 pm
@BrutusMaximusAurelius you are the idiot he’s talking about and that make this thread hilarious. Thnx for that.
@BrutusMaximusAurelius
August 10, 2026 at 1:09 pm
@kimberly_erin sure hun, keep telling yourself that, I love that for you.
@TT-nq5np
August 10, 2026 at 2:21 pm
@BrutusMaximusAurelius I mean I think you are misunderstanding. Anyone can be the “idiot.” The “idiot” is whoever’s view you see as so absurd or incorrect that you cannot understand their perspective or how they came to that conclusion. For example, my stepdad is incredibly conservative and frequently calls people he disagrees with “idiots.” He would view the cop as the logical one and the man telling the story as the “idiot.” My stepdad can still apply this talk and choose to approach with curiosity.
This is about how you communicate with people you view as the “idiot” and seeing them as human beings who have something valuable to offer instead of seeing them as an “idiot.” Sure he never said that directly, but the shorter TedTalks usually have strict time restraints, which results in things being cut down and potentially becoming less clear. You took the wrong lesson from the talk.
@jarrettbobbett5230
August 10, 2026 at 11:27 am
I found the speaker to be racist.
I have an opinion about race.
It’s called the human race.
If you’re not an educator, a scientist or at very least, maybe an officer in a very time-sensitive situation, explain to me how involving someone’s skin pigmentation or ethnic background in your decision making is not a form of racism?
@RebeccaMorris-v6m
August 10, 2026 at 11:43 am
He literally said nothing like that. You’re reading into something that didn’t happen. Instead of listening to what he was saying you were ignoring his point and judging him the whole time.
@misslusixseven67
August 10, 2026 at 2:06 pm
@jarrettbobbett5230 Different people with different backgrounds experience the world differently. Race plays a role in this. As such I think it is fair to bring race into it.
@originalposer
August 10, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Racism does not mean making a decision to mitigate racism based on recognizing racial distinctions. Racism means making a decision not to mitigate racism, but to prejudge someone as lesser based on that same distinction.
You imply such a reductive understanding of racism and its effects that disregarding measures that recognize racism as an existing problem and provide avenues for resolving it seems to come naturally to you.
@andyb8015
August 10, 2026 at 11:28 am
Is this the guy from the Onion?
@chuck.reichert83
August 10, 2026 at 11:45 am
My mother taught me early that “No person is completely worthless; they can always serve as a bad example.”
@jf-jx4ym
August 10, 2026 at 12:17 pm
In the lense of any strong law…bad advice as it is malicious and harmful.. not borne of understanding and problem solving.
@mkhud50n
August 10, 2026 at 11:45 am
I say “huh…” like they just said the deepest thing ever and I need time to think about it because it’s so profound. Then I walk away and hope I never see them again.
@janrowe327
August 10, 2026 at 11:48 am
Earlier comment to other message – Yours made a English actually agree and chuckle chuckle
@andrewkaylor
August 10, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Great talk, and there’s some idiiots in the comments section.
@fashiongik
August 10, 2026 at 12:15 pm
what an idiot
@nikkanikka1999
August 10, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Why ted videos become shorter and shorter 😂
@ISHTIAQ-KHAN
August 10, 2026 at 2:27 pm
@nikkanikka1999 no one is interested in watching long length videos (coz of scrolling shorts ) anymore so that maybe the reason
@KitaIsHer
August 10, 2026 at 12:41 pm
coming at people with curiosity & compassion will always yield better results than hostility or defensiveness. fantastic talk!
@Avarice7D
August 10, 2026 at 12:47 pm
This was a great ted talk. Smart guy, well spoken. I didn’t agree with everything he said but he made a good point and he has a solid dissenting opinion about a topic that has polarized a not small amount of people. Concerning Statues; I would like to submit that if they are somehow removed then they would fail at reminding people of the truth, hard though it may be for not a small amount of people to swallow. I would submit that we need to get closer and learn more. Which is the best performing tactic I have ever seen in use but isn’t for the faint of heart. Getting closer takes courage, patience, humility, empathy and listening skills. This really is an awesome talk. To the idiots here, this is not about shoving racism in your face. This is about understanding complicated systems within oneself/others and how we can learn more about them safely. Excellent talk, well done.
@robinnewhouse1563
August 10, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Joshua Johnson the goat ❤😂 really insightful talk
@AlanDias17
August 10, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Best way to handle idiots = Don’t engage.
@MrMeheheh
August 10, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Hoped to learn more about how to deal with idiots and less about interviewing them 😀
@kinsmed
August 11, 2026 at 12:17 am
Consider “interviewing” them. Asking the right questions really frustrates them… but they will think about it.
@tylerharry6319
August 10, 2026 at 3:40 pm
I saw Joshua Johnson giving a Ted talk and my brain was like, the comedian Josh Johnson’s gave a Ted talk?? Nope, different black guy, but still funny. Good Ted talk.
@jwestney2859
August 10, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Great hearing this black man delivering sage advice, showing agency, sharing his wisdom. We need more like this. Rather than bickering with each other.
@alienautopsy9326
August 10, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Starting a speech with ‘idiots. … ‘
You have our undivided attention
@user-yg6qd2ws5u
August 11, 2026 at 12:26 am
Yes, that really is an intriguing opening! 🤣
@Thomas-qc2dc
August 10, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Finally, an actual TED talk and not TEDx
@sosukodo5037
August 10, 2026 at 4:36 pm
I LOVED this video! And that mowhawk is BADASS 🙂
@jocelyndominguez1
August 10, 2026 at 5:07 pm
Johnson’s approach has a strong anthropological quality to it by encouraging people to move BEYOND what someone believes and investigate *how* and *why* they came to believe it. I really appreciate this TED Talk for so many reasons. Thank you for this one!
@chrisg4036
August 10, 2026 at 6:06 pm
I can’t get past the ring!
@Nana1D65
August 10, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Me too. Distracting. Maybe he should have rethought that decision to wear it during this TED talk ?
@tvo6453
August 10, 2026 at 9:58 pm
He’s another example and proof the “septum ring theory” is spot on!!!
@francesbernard2445
August 10, 2026 at 8:02 pm
Really good advice unless you are trying to communicate with someone who was told that you are the self-centered from time to time crazy idiot when at the time you need to ask them short questions about what all that you too need to be aware of so that whatever could go wrong will not go wrong during preventative measures which need to be in place soon enough. Like for example on that American sitcom serieis called “Young Sheldon” when the youngest lad wants his MeeMaw back in his parent’s house on his preferred schedule at the time when MeeMaw lives right across the street from them.
@ricofivekay6562
August 10, 2026 at 9:00 pm
A guy with that hanging out of his nose is referring to others as idiots?
@ceejay1794
August 10, 2026 at 10:22 pm
Thank you, this was so refreshing to hear😊
@doyouguysnothavephones8967
August 10, 2026 at 10:50 pm
Okay but what can we do about the idiot in the White House?
@kinsmed
August 11, 2026 at 12:06 am
45 seconds in Joshua gets a thumbs up.
@adamenstrom
August 11, 2026 at 12:27 am
This was some seriously hacky bullshit.
@welcome.421
August 11, 2026 at 3:57 am
TED only you are my hope, so take my hand and don’t leave me alone😞
@ehiller4491
August 11, 2026 at 9:15 am
42! It’s the question, not the answer that drives us forward ⏩
@Nick-q5t4f
August 11, 2026 at 10:16 am
“Never with an idiot, he’ll bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
@egx161
August 11, 2026 at 10:29 am
What I find troubling is the vile hate and bigotry that continues to spread throughout America. Religion is a powerful thing that can cause people to hate. It makes non believers the other. Religion causes division and violence instead of love and acceptance. Religious zealots are idiots.
@TravisTingz
August 11, 2026 at 11:13 am
I read marvel comics for a very long time and the elder Nick fury senior perfectly demonstrates this on most occasions
@eyesontoast1105
August 11, 2026 at 11:29 am
I think one of the major issues highlighted in this presentation is simple and childish; thats dName calling and trivialising other peoples views. These are fundamentally the core issues of modern discourse between disparate cultures or policies of folk in life.
The moment you believe that you are RIGHT and have it all figured out is the moment you stop listening. When you represent a club or a gang that has very sensitive rules or views, thats often the central reason why you clash with anything outside that. Its purely a clash of power, not a mission for knowledge and progress as its often guised.
As a wise person once said; ‘If you want to know who you are ruled by, find out who you can’t question’. Holds true for Kings and Dynasties as it does cultures and empires.
All the best people are moderate, but moderate people can easily unwittingly do the bidding of power hungry or greedy or vengeful groups.
@Ratliffisabeast
August 11, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Not the Josh Johnson I was expectng, but I’m here for it.
@zombiemolly9711
August 11, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Idiots…. Idiots… (*says the guy with the nose ring) 😂
@noahthpirate
August 11, 2026 at 3:48 pm
LOVE it. Great examples. Thanks for the thought-provoking and curious approach.
@Know1_really
August 11, 2026 at 3:51 pm
1st time ever taking notes. Coping w a vengeful manager and earlier learned that belittling comments are meant to make the target ” be little ” – microscopic is helpful cuz it 180s the attention, yeah?
@mkmitty
August 11, 2026 at 5:16 pm
disagree
@camfella647
August 11, 2026 at 8:50 pm
That nose ring was definitely made for radio:)
@michellemacco
August 11, 2026 at 9:45 pm
🙏🏽💕Thank You 🙏🏽💕
@tomhenderson2430
August 12, 2026 at 7:11 am
Speaking of idiots, as soon as somebody starts talking with a bull’s nose ring implanted in their face, I don’t bother listening to that idiot.
@guppygrease9767
August 12, 2026 at 8:22 am
New experience gone a wrong when not living in now! Idea never stop coming infallible are the children’s. Meditation basic solutions come long way.
@guppygrease9767
August 12, 2026 at 8:25 am
Use data again counterpart for profits in spreading men made up hate cancer hot button no substitute! Same everybody experienced, peace as win nobody missing!
@Yourmission9
August 12, 2026 at 9:18 am
This pulled up in my feed because I’m a fan of Josh Johnson. I’ll give this Josh a watch as well
@bfingen
August 12, 2026 at 10:09 am
Hard to take any advice about self improvement from somebody with a nose ring
@En_theo
August 12, 2026 at 11:06 am
I have not watched the video yet but I already state that whatever he says, this won’t work on my wife. And you ain’t gonna change my mind about that neither.
@albertwaterfield7983
August 12, 2026 at 11:35 am
Well said. We often forget that being an everyday hero is something everyone can do…if we’re only willing to step up and get in close.
@Lifeisbutadream26
August 12, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Josh, come back to 1A please!!!
@joe_hoeller_chicago
August 12, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Yea, I’ve noticed… 🫠😑🤦🏽♂️
@JumpScare-v6v
August 12, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Street epistemology – just get them talking. Sometimes peoe talk themselves out of things.
@MikeAnn193
August 12, 2026 at 5:09 pm
This seems like good advice, and it’s _long_ been a goal of mine to learn and understand, when someone holds an opinion or belief that’s baffling to me. I admit I’d also sometimes like to _educate,_ but the (seemingly endless 😮💨) Trump years have severely lowered my expectations for success on that front, _and_ I’ve gradually been realizing that people respond better to being heard than being “educated.” I know that partly because _I’m_ a people. 😏
*One thing I suspect I still need to learn when facing a torrent of nonsense, unreason, and unsubstantiated beliefs: How to **_sit_** with my intense feelings long enough to learn things about that person’s beliefs.* 😖🙊
But I’ve always respected a person’s _feelings,_ so I always try to remember to convey that message clearly. Feelings, in a way, are a universal language. I can relate to your pain, frustration, fear, joy, and sadness even if I can’t relate in the least to the thoughts that generated them.
@sky01james28
August 12, 2026 at 6:38 pm
@MikeAnn193 good thoughts, thanks
@morty23
August 12, 2026 at 7:09 pm
He forgets I’m not a journalist, I don’t engage with idiots to “find out their stories”, I engage with them because I’m forced to (work, neighbors etc.). Why would I want to waste my time with someone I have no common ground with when there are a lot better people out there? I engage with the idiots around me just as much as I need to, I don’t need to “examine” them or find out the reasons for which they have become idiots.
@benshakespeare268
August 13, 2026 at 8:22 am
“I hear different people” … has anyone said it yet?
@TheBoogerJames
August 13, 2026 at 8:46 am
This man got up that morning and put on his best nose ring.
@TheBoogerJames
August 13, 2026 at 12:18 pm
ableismisgross I watched the video. The content was good. He’s clearly a smart guy with some good advice. I’m just a nose-ring hater. It might be your “culture” but it still looks ridiculous.
@itslexactually
August 13, 2026 at 12:54 pm
To you. It looks ridiculous, to you. And the word “culture” didn’t deserve quotation marks there.
You might want to reflect on the level of bigotry you’ve displayed here today.
@Zbeastie
August 13, 2026 at 12:54 pm
And he clearly worked out as well!
Didn’t even notice the nose ring. 😄
@TheBoogerJames
August 13, 2026 at 1:30 pm
@itslexactually you might want to reflect on the fact that you are arguing with a stranger on the internet about a stupid joke comment.
@kevshiro
August 13, 2026 at 8:52 am
I’ve worked with many “idiots” as well. But when you talk to them and listen to their personal story, you learn that there’s lots of trauma behind the anger. It feels like all this cool new technology which allows us to “talk freely” to each other has broken down a lot of psysic “walls” that some people dont know how to deal with these newly found “feelings”.
@rhimaginemua
August 13, 2026 at 12:43 pm
And it just means they can invest in journals to write out their thoughts to see it better in getting understanding. Sometimes therapy is the writing because sometimes getting out what is stressing you or causing you the most grief or trauma reduces just by talking about her writing it down even once.
That’s why journaling is often used as a tool in therapy for patients.
@Reikasa
August 13, 2026 at 8:52 am
You always have to go into a discussion or debate willing to learn. You can’t expect anyone to learn from you if you dont lead by example.
@SalvadorRiosJr
August 13, 2026 at 9:42 am
5:03 This revelation gave me chills. What a powerful moment. Something for all of us to learn. THANK YOU for sharing your moment. I want to read the book you write.
@theo3000
August 13, 2026 at 9:52 am
The irony of an idiot with a nose ring lecturing about idiots is not lost on me.
@dinkingaround412
August 13, 2026 at 10:16 am
If you ask enough questions, the other person and yourself will agree on something. You can only start there.
@fundalal5408
August 13, 2026 at 10:17 am
مرور خاطف
13 أغسطس 2026
فمتى يكون المرور العميق بفهم دقيق عال ٍ ؟
@fundalal5408
August 13, 2026 at 10:18 am
لماذا يضع ذلك في أنفه ؟
@nelmur
August 13, 2026 at 10:24 am
Miss his voice and mind on 1A.
@Greeneggsandbrown
August 13, 2026 at 10:31 am
I think this is one of the most important TED Talks of our time.
@mariehughey5390
August 13, 2026 at 10:33 am
I agree with 90%. Sometimes survival requires fight or flight. Not neutrality.
@christianladu1136
August 13, 2026 at 10:59 am
No, not THAT Josh johnson
@SamTheWurzelbacher
August 13, 2026 at 11:04 am
Jfc, you’re a g-ddamn grown man, take that idiotic thing out of your nose
@seanluis2735
August 13, 2026 at 11:22 am
The issue often lies in the belief that everyone else is foolish, as if the world were populated by idiots, with oneself being the sole exception.
@Comment4fun
August 13, 2026 at 11:24 am
That nose ring is distracting
@freih15
August 13, 2026 at 11:40 am
Assuming you are surrounded by idiots and you are never the idiot one is pretty idiotic.
@davidatkisson6141
August 13, 2026 at 11:40 am
Wow! That was profound! Thanks for sharing your experience.
@M0ns1gn0r
August 13, 2026 at 11:56 am
But why talk with idiots if it’s not your job as a journalist?
@rhimaginemua
August 13, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Basically have curiosity about other humans so much that you can see the thread that weaves their beliefs, ideas, and morals or lack there of in morals to dive into understanding why they hold onto them. Once you choose to do this, you create the neutrality you need in the methods that is being talked about in this video.
@cynthiabotsko2449
August 13, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Absolutely brilliant speech on active listening and participant conversation, whether difficult people, diffucult situations, or differing viewpoints. Bravo! 👏👏👏 And, thank you! ❤️♾️❤️
@jessatesta
August 13, 2026 at 12:58 pm
This talk reveals everything wrong with the culture of American journalism. None of the adversarial energy required to hold power to account. Give me an old school BBC adversarial journalist any day of the week.
@davidh2550
August 13, 2026 at 5:46 pm
This was really good. I believe I’ve developed some of these principles organically throughout life but definitely not to its completeness the way this man articulates it. This talk, breaks it down to a formulated science. Deductive analysis
@fiddlestix3025
August 13, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Geat lessons 🙏
@Nettabird303
August 13, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Everybody has reasons for what they believe. If you want to change minds, you have to know what those reasons are. If you don’t want to change minds but you want yours to be correct, you have to find out if people who believe differently from you have *good* reasons.