My Ted talk of choice is “Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger?” by David Epstein. Epstein discusses the progression made in athletic advancement through the lens of technological innovation, genetic improvement, and the overall change in the mindsets of athletes. This is easily one of the most entertaining and informative Ted talks that I have ever watched, primarily due to Epstein’s ability as a speaker and presenter. Today I want I to break down exactly why Mr. Epstein’s Ted talk works so well, examining what techniques he implemented in order to produce such a masterful presentation.
First and foremost, the best feature of Mr. Epstein’s presentation is his visual aid. His powerpoint served to enhance every example that was given, specifically when looking at the advancement of sports technology. Being able to visualize distance and time improvements along with the speech really ingrains the information into the audience’s head. Not only that, but it serves to amplify the enjoyability and entertainment factor of the presentation, with colorful and interesting images displayed across the slides. Being able to see the exact scatter-plot of athlete height and weight charted across sports adds to the credibility of his findings. Overall, Mr. Epstein’s visual aid shines as the most important and polished portion of the Ted talk, as it highlights the data given in the presentation along with providing necessary visual aids to further increase enjoyability and comprehension.
Another crucial factor in the success of Mr. Epstein’s Ted talk is his actual speaking ability. He speaks smoothly and confidently, with a noticeable passion for the subject material in his voice. He takes the audience along a journey of sorts, switching seamlessly from point to point within the presentation. While still holding a professional air to the talk, Mr. Epstein finds a way to present his information relatively casually, throwing in jokes and other small quips throughout the talk. This fully immerses the audience in the presentation, allowing them to take in all of the information that Mr. Epstein presents.
These two specific aspects of David Epstein’s Ted talk elevate the entire presentation, making it an easy to watch, informative, and entertaining Ted talk that I constantly revisit. I hope to apply these techniques to my own Ted talk, focusing specifically on a quality visual aid to help bolster my research.