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The Language You’re Fluent in — but Forgot How to Hear | Louis VI | TED

What if the calm you feel when you hear birdsong isn’t a coincidence, but ancient evolutionary wiring … a signal that once meant safety? Musical ecologist and rapper Louis VI says humans are hardwired to nature’s sonic language, but modern life has drowned it out. He explores how we can tap back into the “overwhelming…

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What if the calm you feel when you hear birdsong isn’t a coincidence, but ancient evolutionary wiring … a signal that once meant safety? Musical ecologist and rapper Louis VI says humans are hardwired to nature’s sonic language, but modern life has drowned it out. He explores how we can tap back into the “overwhelming chorus of aliveness” we’ve stopped hearing — and performs an original song incorporating rainforest recordings from the Amazon and the Caribbean. (Recorded at TED Countdown and Bezos Earth Fund on September 24, 2025)

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47 Comments

47 Comments

  1. @joehamman3546

    February 19, 2026 at 11:06 am

    !

    • @LouisVI

      February 19, 2026 at 11:59 am

      Thank you for watching! Would love to know what nature sounds are near you where you are?

  2. @Aa1a1a1

    February 19, 2026 at 11:14 am

    Wtf is TED become with this speaker

    • @Niqu3focused

      February 19, 2026 at 11:39 am

      Everyone has a voice even you

    • @stacey6325

      February 19, 2026 at 12:38 pm

      Ted needs more people like him

    • @aramidegillett4581

      February 19, 2026 at 2:31 pm

      TED needs WAY more people like him

  3. @Trene_r

    February 19, 2026 at 11:43 am

    Wow

    • @LouisVI

      February 19, 2026 at 11:57 am

      Thank you so much 🌳

  4. @othasoul

    February 19, 2026 at 12:17 pm

    “Throughout our entire evolution, listening to nature has been a big part of our compass, but now that we’ve stopped, it’s no wonder we’ve lost our baring” brilliant 🙌🏽

    • @LouisVI

      February 20, 2026 at 10:37 am

      Thank you so much my g Dozer!

  5. @stacey6325

    February 19, 2026 at 12:40 pm

    Love this and it’s frequencies bro❤ 432 hz is natures frequency. The birds the crickets etc
    .. 432 natures balance

    • @LouisVI

      February 19, 2026 at 2:37 pm

      Yea I’ve been hearing a lot about this lately, I need to look into it, but essentially 432hz being the most common frequency in nature right? I’ve heard about the Schumman resonance at 783Hz which is the sound of the earths atmosphere which is mindblowing

  6. @ellaweldon2274

    February 19, 2026 at 2:29 pm

    what an incredible, though-provoking talk.

  7. @donwella6267

    February 19, 2026 at 2:31 pm

    so well articulated – big up Louis VI!

  8. @wherewegrow

    February 19, 2026 at 2:32 pm

    Absolutely phenomenal. Such a compelling speaker with an essential message. Listening to birdsong now, and feeling the calm 🙏

    • @LouisVI

      February 19, 2026 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you so much @wherewegrow that means the world! It is crazy how quickly hearing some beautiful bird song or crickets influences your physiology, I’m heading out right now to try a record the dusk chorus

  9. @aramidegillett4581

    February 19, 2026 at 2:33 pm

    Profound! Beautifully eloquent, and so moving. It’s bewildering how simple yet powerfully complex listening is. Bravo ❤️👏

    • @LouisVI

      February 20, 2026 at 10:37 am

      It really is, just when I think I get used to it, it blows my mind all over again!

  10. @alexsession6075

    February 19, 2026 at 2:36 pm

    A great message, put in a great way! Thanks Louis

  11. @AdeleRadice

    February 19, 2026 at 2:43 pm

    Really interesting!

  12. @noahrutter4466

    February 19, 2026 at 2:52 pm

    This is so amazing. So inspiring and informative. I’m getting into the woods this weekend and opening my ears for sure. Love!

  13. @SándorErdélyi-u6q

    February 19, 2026 at 2:53 pm

    OK, I admit it’s awesome, but I think TED lost its scientific profile. A couple of years before you could learn so much of TED videos, but nowadays it’s purpose is just entertain you without giving real knowledge.

  14. @exancy

    February 19, 2026 at 2:55 pm

    there is hope <3

    • @LouisVI

      February 20, 2026 at 8:52 am

      There really is, if we start noticing more with our ears over our eyes we stand a chance of creating a far richer more beautiful world. And the positive possibilities are endless

  15. @whereintheworld7464

    February 19, 2026 at 2:59 pm

    I love the way the audience tuned into the different sounds of nature and rainforests. How fantastically interesting and refreshing

    • @LouisVI

      February 20, 2026 at 8:49 am

      I always love doing this experiment live; people find it hard to believe they can tell so much information just from a biodiverse sound until this do it. Thank you so much ❤

  16. @LogicCrew-d6n

    February 19, 2026 at 3:08 pm

    i had no idea i could tell the time with my ears! incredible ted talk

    • @LouisVI

      February 20, 2026 at 8:48 am

      It’s incredible isn’t it? It may seem simple, but there’s a deep science to this that is fundamental to our health and the health of the planet and we’re only just scratching the surface; in the next 5 -10 years , we’ll recognise the damage neglecting our sonic landscapes has fundamental to change for our own existence

  17. @mathieulefevre5250

    February 19, 2026 at 3:22 pm

    Love this talk Louis !

  18. @anthonykendall8785

    February 19, 2026 at 6:30 pm

    Great stuff, really makes one think ❤

  19. @alicejay-xx3cd

    February 19, 2026 at 6:37 pm

    this is brilliant! a must watch. we must listen our way to protecting life on earth

  20. @lisamuir8850

    February 19, 2026 at 6:37 pm

    Wow…. multi-crossed talented/educated and artistic! Impressive presentation and definitely takes you on a journey. Working from an Android compared to this could be most intimidating but is more persuasive and encouragin. Well done.

    • @louisvi5601

      February 20, 2026 at 10:32 am

      Thank you for your kinds words, I’m so happy it resonated for you! Would love to know what the nature sounds like near you this time of year!

  21. @rudyrussell5290

    February 19, 2026 at 7:30 pm

    So articulate so inspiring lovely watch Louis 👏🏽

  22. @danradice9482

    February 20, 2026 at 5:52 am

    Superb talk. Really important message, brilliantly delivered. Am feeling better for having listened to it

    • @louisvi5601

      February 20, 2026 at 10:31 am

      Thank you so much for listening! Mumma nature and me really appreciate it! Hope you notice the birds this spring just a bit more! They deserve it!

  23. @tsankodimov462

    February 20, 2026 at 9:04 am

    Amazing talk. The feeling when the jungle sounds come in… We need this reminder so much

    • @LouisVI

      February 20, 2026 at 10:39 am

      Thank you so much, we really do, and it’s crazy only after a few minutes of reminding, it’s impossible to unhear, we can definitely have a more beautiful world if we stop focusing so much on what we just see, and stop neglecting what we hear

  24. @anicesweater8281

    February 20, 2026 at 10:51 am

    150 and a long hike. If you know, you know.

  25. @juliesalmon734

    February 20, 2026 at 1:50 pm

    You’re a Master of speech! Love your work ! Thank you for what you’re doing for our beautiful planet

  26. @annarod5282

    February 20, 2026 at 5:27 pm

    I’m in tears! You sir, have just filled my soul with hope for the future!
    Please spread your love of nature, wisdom beyond your years and hope for a better tomorrow!
    Thank you for the kindness of sharing.

  27. @akintolaabdulmuizz5775

    February 20, 2026 at 6:30 pm

    Love this 👏 👏

  28. @zoriyaelstollar6

    February 20, 2026 at 9:56 pm

    Love this ❤powerfully impressive and inspiring! Reconnecting with nature’s sounds and beauty is beyond amazing! Pure joy! Wonderful talk and super talented artist. Thank you!

  29. @Hannah-hs4vo

    February 21, 2026 at 2:31 am

    Everyone look up Snow Raven if you don’t know who she is

  30. @marvelous1987

    February 21, 2026 at 5:06 am

    Louis 4 world president 🙌🏻

  31. @triciahollingshead9971

    February 21, 2026 at 5:27 pm

    Fabulous speaker, Fabulous audio, Fabulous topic. ❤❤❤❤❤

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The Controversial Climate Tool Funding Real Change | Sandeep Roy Choudhury | TED

If a company plants trees to offset its pollution, is that climate progress — or is it greenwashing? Critics of carbon markets say it’s the latter. But Sandeep Roy Choudhury, who’s spent two decades financing climate projects from rural cookstoves to coastal forests, says the real failure is discouraging companies from even trying. Hear his…

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If a company plants trees to offset its pollution, is that climate progress — or is it greenwashing? Critics of carbon markets say it’s the latter. But Sandeep Roy Choudhury, who’s spent two decades financing climate projects from rural cookstoves to coastal forests, says the real failure is discouraging companies from even trying. Hear his case for why we shouldn’t let perfection block meaningful action on climate change. (Recorded at TED Countdown Summit 2025 on June 17, 2025)

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How to Be a Great Listener | Maegan Stephens, Nicole Lowenbraun | TED

Have you ever left a meeting thinking: everyone talked, but nothing was achieved? Chances are that people were listening to each other, just not in the same way. Listening experts Maegan Stephens and Nicole Lowenbraun unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and…

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Have you ever left a meeting thinking: everyone talked, but nothing was achieved? Chances are that people were listening to each other, just not in the same way. Listening experts Maegan Stephens and Nicole Lowenbraun unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and get results — starting with just one simple question. (Recorded at TED@BCGon October 23, 2025)

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The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

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TED’s 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 our TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at

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Have you heard of aphantasia? Here’s what it is — and how to know if you have it #TEDTalks

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