The Future of Discovery: Rob Dunn at TEDxSantaCruz: Activate

Evolutionary biologist and writer Rob Dunn humorously explores citizen science, big data, and the yet undiscovered world around, and even ON, us.

This TEDxSantaCruz talk is one of 22 surrounding our theme of "Activate" at the third full-day TEDxSantaCruz event held March 8, 2014 at the Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz, CA.

Rob Dunn is a writer and evolutionary biologist who studies the life inhabiting what he considers to be one of many last frontiers, human backyards, bedrooms and bodies. He does this work by engaging the public in the study of their own homes and bodies through the yourwildlife.org project. Dunn leads projects on the mites found on adult humans, bacteria in belly buttons and guts, fungi in houses, and ants in backyards. Dunn has written three books, Every Living Thing, The Wild Life of Our Bodies, and The Man Who Touched his Own Heart (2015). In addition, he has worked with the public to publish three books based on studies based on public science, Dr. Eleanor's Book of Common Ants, Dr. Eleanor's Book of Common Ants of New York City and The Book of Invisible Life (2015).

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)