Ted Memory Project
Memories make us who we are; they form our identity and tell a personal and collective story. Many people, however, suffer from degenerative illnesses like Alzheimer's disease that put their memories at risk. Images fade. A sense of being is lost.
Join TED and Lilly in preserving our most cherished memories, and add yours to our collective album.
The memories that shape us could be big or small. When you think about a memory you want to preserve, what feeling does that memory evoke?
Adventure 
Calmness 
Community 
Confidence 
Connection 
Excitement 
Security Here’s a sneak peek of the album filled with 324 memories from people around the world.
Confidence 
Melanie, age 46:
Learning to be a coach/speaker and teach from the stage- taught me that I have something of value to contribute!
Memory of Confidence N.17
Calmness 
Theodora, age 18:
Watching the sunset on the beach with my family at the same beach we've gone to my whole life. Such a special summer tradition (:
Memory of Calmness N.24
Security 
Kat, age 7:
As kids, my brother and I often spent weekends at our grandparents house. Their home felt so safe and comfortable and although my grandfather has passed and my grandmother no longer lives there, I can still feel the sense of refuge it gave me.
Memory of Security N.2
Connection 
Sherri, age 35:
Shared experiences with my children, and now I see them carrying it forward.
Memory of Connection N.11
Calmness 
Sage, age 29:
The momenmt my daughter was born i was overwhelmed with so many emotions of love, overwhelm, gratitude, being proud yet, I needed to remain calm up until that momemeny
Memory of Calmness N.23
Community Julie, age 58:
I saw a long-awaited concert and my whole family was there to share it.
Memory of Community N.5
Adventure Allison, age 32:
Time at the Barbican Centre’s sound exhibit with baby Josie, nina, curtis, alex and abbi. Lots of play, happiness, and shared connection.
Memory of Adventure N.14
Adventure 
Marçal, age 24:
I remember when I went with my friends to do skubadiving and then we had beer waching the sunset on the boat and we could see all the coastline from our hometown
Memory of Adventure N.3
Calmness Edu, age 21:
In January 2017 I traveled to Kiruna, in Northern Sweden, to see the northern lights. Besides that, my friends and I went to the sauna, did a hike on top of a frozen lake and tried reindeer soup.
Memory of Calmness N.1
Adventure Youssef, age 28:
Skateboarding at Glencoe Scotland
Memory of Adventure N.37
Confidence Melanie, age 46:
Learning to be a coach/speaker and teach from the stage- taught me that I have something of value to contribute!
Memory of Confidence N.17
Calmness Theodora, age 18:
Watching the sunset on the beach with my family at the same beach we've gone to my whole life. Such a special summer tradition (:
Memory of Calmness N.24
Security Kat, age 7:
As kids, my brother and I often spent weekends at our grandparents house. Their home felt so safe and comfortable and although my grandfather has passed and my grandmother no longer lives there, I can still feel the sense of refuge it gave me.
Memory of Security N.2
Connection Sherri, age 35:
Shared experiences with my children, and now I see them carrying it forward.
Memory of Connection N.11
Calmness Sage, age 29:
The momenmt my daughter was born i was overwhelmed with so many emotions of love, overwhelm, gratitude, being proud yet, I needed to remain calm up until that momemeny
Memory of Calmness N.23
Community Julie, age 58:
I saw a long-awaited concert and my whole family was there to share it.
Memory of Community N.5
Adventure Allison, age 32:
Time at the Barbican Centre’s sound exhibit with baby Josie, nina, curtis, alex and abbi. Lots of play, happiness, and shared connection.
Memory of Adventure N.14
Adventure Marçal, age 24:
I remember when I went with my friends to do skubadiving and then we had beer waching the sunset on the boat and we could see all the coastline from our hometown
Memory of Adventure N.3
Calmness Edu, age 21:
In January 2017 I traveled to Kiruna, in Northern Sweden, to see the northern lights. Besides that, my friends and I went to the sauna, did a hike on top of a frozen lake and tried reindeer soup.
Memory of Calmness N.1
Adventure Youssef, age 28:
Skateboarding at Glencoe Scotland
Memory of Adventure N.37
More than memories
The original video series The Memories That Make Us features three TED speakers sharing personal memories that shaped their lives and identities. Watch as filmmaker Jon M. Chu, baker Christina Tosi and restauranteur Will Guidara take us on an emotional journey highlighting the power of memory and the importance of human connections.
Identity and belonging: The Memories That Make Us
Jon M. Chu, Acclaimed Film Director
Jon M. Chu recalls his early childhood experience of filming and editing home movies of his family, a pivotal time that would influence his work on later films like Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights.
Breaking the rules: The Memories That Make Us
Christina Tosi, Award-Winning Chef & CEO of Milk Bar
Christina Tosi remembers how a seemingly ordinary car ride with her mom and sister inspired the launch of her unconventional dessert empire, Milk Bar — and guides her search for joyful, rule-breaking moments with her two children.
The power of hospitality: The Memories That Make Us
Will Guidara, Restaurateur and Author
Will Guidara reflects on how a magical evening at a New York City restaurant taught him the power of hospitality, shaping a career centered on giving people extraordinary experiences.