The art of choosing | Sheena Iyengar | TED

www.ted.com Sheena Iyengar studies how we make choices -- and how we feel about the choices we make. At TEDGlobal, she talks about both trivial choices (Coke v. Pepsi) and profound ones, and shares her groundbreaking research that has uncovered some surprising attitudes about our decisions.
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. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

[@hbeliever1]

If just before this video, you watch the ted talk about "Sleep is your superpower" and "a simple way to break and habit", you probably also saw that philrypz post and you got motivated to change. Good for you ! You are on the right track! I pray for a total change in your life and a restoration of what was lost. May you be able to succeed in all the aspect of your life and go even further beyond your goal! Eager to hear about your success 👊

[@scottgarder4046]

wow thank you ! 🤭❤️ can’t wait to hear about your success either !

[@shrikantkale536]

True

[@kalesantosh]

@@shrikantkale536 Hey there, my birth name was Shrikant but soon after it was changed to Santosh. What are the odds finding you!

[@kipkemoihillary3790]

I couldn't stop but just smile, apparently I am one of those following that thread by philrypz

[@berndhoecke8493]

You sir or ma'am have got a really sharp mind. Thank You!

[@channelthegijoeshow]

I have been fortunate and privileged enough to have been her student..

[@tizianashea]

same!

[@duckman6541]

who asked

[@TheJapanChannelDcom]

She has a very open mind and an international perspective.. very refreshing

[@gailghinis1394]

This woman is absolutely mesmerizing.

[@pup56]

Seeing this in 2023. So beautiful. Audience looks captivated by her talk!

[@ishikajain1398]

Sheena is so Calm and Clear while delivering the thoughts and her past experiences.I am very much Delighted with this TED TALK.

[@cutifat]

I watched this video three times. Yes, three times! Professor Lyengar is so attractive, so eloquent, and so full of knowledge and wisdom. What a combination! The fact that she is blind only makes me respect her more.

[@sidnomaci]

Only three??? I watched it at least 20 times. loved it

[@AtlasBlizzard]

I love it. Very insightful story that is also very entertaining, almost effortlessly. I know that when I am presented with too many choices, I get nervous and tend to make worse choices. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one.

[@whachuwantfromme]

I'm halfway through her book, and so far it has done an amazing job at opening my eyes on the way I live my life and why I choose what I choose.

[@abhidoit8270]

Which book

[@chungdha]

@cooperbep3 Me too only noticed it when they show that she was reading braille from the sheet.

[@150buckfifty150]

This talk gave me a unique perspective of choice, as I was one of the people who believed that choice is exclusively an independent decision. Very interesting and educational!

[@ruchacentreheadcsd956]

Just absolutely fell in love of how insightful and intriguing the entire speech was. Kudos to @Sheena Iyengar

[@google2com]

This just shows that there is a balance to everything. No choice is just as bad as too many choices!!!

[@yenig2140]

I took out your book from my local library and was intrigued by the title and as I was reading I was curious about your demeanor and opened up you tube and was not disappointed💫Thank you for relaying you’re research ~

[@magicknight13]

Thank you for also supporting the library!

[@532flair]

Had the honor of taking her "Think Bigger" class at Columbia for my masters degree and it was such a unique experience that greatly expanded my mind. What a treasure!

[@andreasghb8074]

I was very interested in her comments about eastern Europeans. I've been to Hungary in 1989 and again in 2007. The second time things were obviously very different, and most people I spoke to were very positive about the changes (this was before Orban). The one dissenting voice was the cab driver who took me to the airport. He said under the old system he knew his place in society and at work. The uncertainty under the new system was very stressful to him.

[@lilianka3943]

she is amazing.

[@GeracaodeValor]

AWESOME!

[@ParadoXPrincess1]

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I tip my hat to you Ms. Iyengar.

[@jlspszj]

Nice speech! Personally I think that this really assembles the worldwide situation right now. The availability of choice does benefit humanity as it spurs innovation and creativity. Consumers' wants drive the producers to come up with new products, new products turn into revenue, revenue to income which will drive another round of the process... And I believe that this is the reason for the success of America, from its industrialization to all the various technologies.

[@draytonbailey3588]

So informative. She is so well spoken.

[@ssrmurthy6691]

Madam! You are inspiration to the depressed & illmotivated..great speech!

[@solrheat]

This is one of the best TED talks I watched. Refreshing, original, thought provoking. Brilliant and charismatic speaker. Loved her sense of humor. Thank you, Sheena! :)

[@jessicanmailbox]

She is absolutely AWESOME!!!

[@rippinsteo]

The ability to choose is the very essence of individuality and free will, along with the attendant ownership and responsibility for the consequneces of choice. Choice enables learning, growth, the acquisition of knowledge, and the empowerment of the individual.

[@SephoraBelle]

I like what you wrote, very true and well expressed. Thank you for your perspective.

[@subikramhansda]

Wow completely took me off guard how I have been choosing. So much factors related to choosing you can't impose something to another.

[@KumoConsulting]

I live in Japan, have for over a decade, and have experienced the same attitudes for Yearrrrs! The first two minutes are SO TRUE!! The Japanese do NOT allow for choice! What a brilliant opening!! :) Thumbs up!!

[@leemor]

Bravo! She is so impressive in her presentation of her knowledge . I'm taken by her demeanor.

[@taniaforafrica]

She's one of the best speakers i've seen so far on TED. So calm and articulate. Thanks for the message. It was beautiful.

[@user-oq9iw1ul1n]

hi

[@mccfokl]

yes she is! look at 07:37 and 07:40 it's Braille tactile writing, you don't need eyes to read it

[@cinanglai]

I really think NOW is the crucial time people attend and this learn the skills. We now can't differentiate fake/true news, we rely too much on how we feels & make too much assumptions

[@onotheo]

I really like her answer to the question at the of her presentation, even more than the presentation itself.

[@JohnDoe-ir5pe]

He speak felt really well written. Amazing!

[@eastmanweb]

This presentation is a gift to the Internet. My world view has expanded from watching it.

[@D4V1DC00L]

prof Sheena is certainly an inspiring person. Would love to hear more of her...

[@UmarAli-jr1rk]

Can you please tell me if she is blind

[@melissaemilly8622]

Muito interessante, a questão do esmalte no final foi muito engraçado e verdadeiro hahaha costumamos escolher coisas pela sensação que elas nos passam

[@fullfist]

it's is the sign of a strong mind if one is able to make decisions without regret or fear of failure. that's the kind of person that welcomes a challenge. . all challenges starts with a decision. Thinking outside the box results in surprising advancements. Sticking to the collectivist, tried and true grants stability but punishes with boredom .

[@Christophe_L]

I thought the same thing! Very harmonious and soothing!

[@s0nyuhshigay]

The woman gives an thought-provoking talk, and the first thing they ask her about is her blindness? It's a shame.

[@andy4an]

your's is an interesting comment, but the fact remains that she does have a unique perspective, and she had a great answer.

[@carinafinoli3636]

The way she reacts to the question about her blindness is amazing!!

[@bhavishajogi1775]

Despite the many factors that can influence our choices, we ultimately have the power to decide what we do… this power gives us sense of self determination

[@djAmiracle]

shes a great speaker, great storyteller!

[@TwinkleTVi]

Off topic but, For the first time in my life, I saw a Rolex ad.

[@jakubchase4821]

Fantastic presentation so much information so well delivered. Fantastic Competent Woman!

[@hik7181]

Recomendo o ted talk da Sheena Iyenga: a arte de escolher

[@xmarcovinzx]

very inspirational, great speaker. thanks for uploading.

[@Rasenkrieger]

amazing voice & speech

[@TalynCo]

She's a fantastic speaker...

[@KellyNeddo]

I am so fascinated by these talks on choosing - Thank you so much! the nailpolish Oh so True :)

[@Epicurean999]

2020 Quarantine did bring A Nerdy Beast OUT OF ME....Indebted forever for such spectacular talk. Love and Respect from INDIA 🇮🇳💓🙏

[@arun6004]

@tessb I think you have a valid point - if you are really interested in the research data that backs up the anecdotes, you should give her book a read. I was surprised to see how different the book was when compared to this talk!

[@silvercoin1111]

great subject, very well explained!

[@ShawnMcNown]

I don't know about You All but this lecture really moved me, and I am grateful for the observations work and thought that went into this [G*D Bless] and thank you @TED

[@borami22]

Loved watching this. Very interesting.

[@kj762aa]

This is a gem. I'm glad they recorded this.

[@MegF142857]

I'm glad I was born to live in the United States of America with the choices and independence available. We had an Indian programmer right off plane from India come to work for us in 90s. At the grocery store he was completely overwhelmed and said "Too many choices". After being here awhile he loved all the options available and chose to stay in the United States vs go back to India. And... one can choose to not take all the options. That is a choice. I'd rather have that than the opposite.

[@bendietrees]

Interesting, I'm an American living in Australia and I find the lack of choice frustrating and suffocating, as though I'm being told what to like. Gets you thinking.

[@shatabdibiswas7309]

Amazing!

[@Auramassagewellness]

Wow!! so inspiring. This womans mind is beautiful

[@MaiaUnfiltered]

Excellent Ted talk. Loved it all ❤

[@7stg]

Having choice is having responsibility. It gives the potential to act with true intentionality. With choice one can go bigger and fall further. Its unreasonable to blame someone else for ones problems when one is empowered to choose as the sole responsibility rests with chooser. As to society and its role, when one makes poor choices that do impact the whole there are negative ramifications for the one who has been granted the authority to choose and the whole whom that persons choices affect.

[@Heartyface4]

her voice and her mind are beautiful.

[@billyg89]

love the story at the end!

[@AtlasBlizzard]

This is one of my favorite TED talks, very insightful, but I feel there's a bit of a logical fallacy in her assumption that all Westerners make choices based on their own preferences. Many people make choices (both big and small) based on what friends and/or family think.

[@FatDeadElvees]

"Of course, you and I know that coke is the better choice."

[@sharmasibal]

Inspiring talk.

[@KathBorup]

The story at the end with the nail polish was great.

[@Athenation2010]

What an amazing talk!

[@xapemanx]

didnt know she was blind, till they shows the braille paper

[@41riseslipkorn]

One of the very interesting talks.

[@hitshsachdev7700]

What she said in the last experience of herself was adorable and glamorous as well! Nothing is sexier than being original!

[@ashoks5317]

Amazing talk.

[@DubaiGuy08]

Wow, Sheena Iyengar is smart, articulate and persuasive! What an illuminating, well-delivered talk on choice and choosing!

[@Sergei__v]

Fantastic!

[@TheMarkedbyher]

She has a Doctorates on the research topic of how individuals approach choice, the subject matter she's speaking about here . She's an actual professor of a Ivy league college, and has credentials far beyond teaching a kindergarten class.

[@zweisteinJ]

this woman is blind.... and she did all this spectacular job researching... Respect..

[@princessniken]

she's very good! i understand everything

[@siphesihleenock1549]

Wow very insightful Ted and aspiring. 👌❤️

[@DarwinsBeerReviews]

Really interesting talk.

[@zeffii]

top speaker, humorous and sweet!

[@babakpardes]

You hit it. I loved it.

[@blahdelablah]

Her point? There are many points raised, but from my perspective the central message is that we should be more open minded about the effects (both positive and negative) that choice can have on us. Having choice can be an expression of freedom, but when our choices become overwhelming they can leave us feeling trapped. The talk is about developing a more healthy attitude towards choice. This is just what I picked up from the talk, you may have a different opinion.

[@davidoladimeji1078]

the one at the beginning with sugar was good too

[@sarakamran7832]

what a nice way to express

[@TheSpankymonkey]

@MrDemonshalo - Odd isn't it. She has her eyes open to the world more than most people with full sight!

[@Muxoll-Rocks]

So Cool... good work Sheena TED we love you

[@msvispila]

Well, I was born in Europe and grew up there for 23 years before moving to the US. I can fully understand why the eastern Europeans viewed seven different sodas as just one option. We Europeans see sodas as the bubbly, too sweet stuff that is bad for you. Majority of us don't care how they taste, they are just bad for you and you don't touch the stuff. That's why the sodas were viewed as just one option. When she added water and juice, then they had three options.

[@JaneDoe-ci3gj]

I thought this video was about how I would be better at making choices. It was not that kind of video, but I´m glad i stumbled over it! The thing about the former Soviet countries though true are a bit outdated though, they have had capitalism for a long time now. Still a very intersting video! I have mental problems and when it comes to large decisions I just tend to either freeze up or not anything which is a real problem for me!

[@mdg936]

At 20:00 she completely contradicts herself. At this point she says that we should learn to embrace the vast array of choice preferences, not just assuming that everyone likes many different choices, but this is at odds with her main message that we should accept that some people and cultures don't like having too many choices to choose between.

[@tonychow8120]

+Svalbardea you are wrong in "embrace the vast array of choice preferences" means no need to judge or choose one preference

[@WakeRunSleep]

I was excited about this topic for the first five minutes; I still am, but there are so many problems with Sheena's conclusions, i don't know where to start.

[@2661960]

This explains a lot as to why I often struggle in making decisions. Sometimes It is hard to decide the right thing to do with so many choices and I try to make choices on what I think will help others only to have someone say "Why didn't you do what you wanted". What I want isn't always best for everyone. If we consulted with others and took the good of everyone into consideration, our choices would be more collective and community minded. We would actually be happier with ourselves.

[@Hijodeganas1]

Interesting video. I see a couple problems, though. 1. Is the problem individual choice, or an overwhelm of choice? It seems like there are two preimses in one argument. 2. Is the problem that individual choice and/or an overwhelm of choice, or that people do not know how to properly make choices? In other words, should we be reducing choices, collective choices, or learning how to make better individual choices?

[@avichicken]

@Kway32 mm come to think of it, that is true. Its quite a wide topic so its also nice to here what other people have to say about it

[@ananthapadmanabhanss4553]

Excellent insights thanks :) a lot

[@klarasy393]

Amazing. 🤩

[@roninviking]

excellent,would be my choice to exemplify choice. and the rose is the point.

[@jarduli]

@m0llusk I agree! but that was many years ago. I am 27 now I i don't remember anything like that!

[@smokenojoke8182]

Choice =innovation

[@DavidEpstein]

@HumanistWikitopian I hear what you're saying, but we still want to be the ones who choose whether or not to ask for advice, who to seek advice from, how much weight to give to the advice we're give, or whether to ignore that advice entirely. At time we may give up our choice to someone else, either because we simply don't care, or because we don't want the responsibility that comes along with a possible wrong choice. In such a case, we want to choose whether or not we are the ones to choose.

[@muzikfreak007]

Hi Malinyc. She an S.T. Lee Professor of Business in the Management Division at Columbia Business School and the Director of the Global Leadership Matrix initiative. She went to Stanford and University of Pennsylvania. I would have been so lucky if she taught me at kindergarten though :)