Why do communication technologies fail to deliver on their promise to connect us? Can the right design change this narrative? Lana Yarosh is a Computer Scientist who takes a human-centered approach to designing technology to connect people in critical contexts. You won’t believe how divorced parents used the technology her team created to connect with their kids! Think about a computer you use every day. Like the one in your hand, pocket or bag that gives you a notification every few minutes. The laptop you stare at for 4050+ hours a week. How do you use it? What does it do for your relationships? This is Lana Yarosh’s world in the study of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) which researches the design and use of computer technology by people – observing how we interact with it, and designing technologies that let us connect through it in more novel ways. Lana’s efforts are leading to a new technological design that will help us connect with others in far more natural ways than we’re accustomed. It’s a new system to enhance social relationships and connections in ways we never thought possible with our computers. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Composer and pianist Renzo Vitale performs his piece "Drottning Kristina," bringing the audience along on a warm, meditative yet energetic instrumental journey that closely reflects the tempos of life.

Pianist Daria van den Bercken fell in love with the baroque keyboard music of George Frideric Handel. Now, she aims to ignite this passion in others. In this talk, she plays us through the emotional roller coaster of his music — while sailing with her piano through the air, driving it down the street, and of course playing on the stage. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of 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). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more. Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at http://www.ted.com/translate Follow TED news on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tednews Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDtalksDirector

Ge Wang makes computer music, but it isn't all about coded bleeps and blips. With the Stanford Laptop Orchestra, he creates new instruments out of unexpected materials—like an Ikea bowl—that allow musicians to play music that's both beautiful and expressive. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of 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). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more. Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at http://www.ted.com/translate Follow TED news on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tednews Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDtalksDirector