What if R2D2 were your doctor? Do proteins have their own social network? And, while we're at it, can we reshape human perceptions without saying a word?
Those are just a few of the questions that are being addressed this week at the annual TEDMED conference, an off-shoot of the popular TED talks.
The talks, starting today and running through Friday, April 13, explore the future of health and medicine. TEDMED participants range from singer Jill Sobule (best known for her 1995 single "Supermodel") and our beloved Cookie Monster (yeah, you read that correctly), to the Director of the National Institute of Health Francis Collins and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.
The sold-out event is held in Washington D.C., but folks in California can virtually watch the talks live at various locations throughout the state, from Eureka to San Diego. TEDMED will posting videos soon after the talks.
In the meantime, here Jill Sobule and Herbie Hancock performing at TEDMED back in 2009: