5 Influential TED Talks About Finance
- Paul Kemp-Robertson: Bitcoin. Sweat. Tide. Meet the Future of Branded Currency
- Neha Narula: The Future of Money
- Chris McKnett: The Investment Logic for Sustainability
- Mariana Mazzucato: Government – Investor, Risk-Taker, Innovator
- Annette Heuser: The 3 Agencies With the Power to Make or Break Economies
TED talks by finance experts serve to educate students, colleagues, and the public on topics like:
- monetary theory
- investments
- personal financial education
- the future of money
According to Forbes, these talks help students connect with subject matter by:
- appealing to emotion
- introducing a new perspective
- offering a straightforward message that is easy to share
Some popular speakers in the financial industry are listed below.
1. Paul Kemp-Robertson: Bitcoin. Sweat. Tide. Meet the Future of Branded Currency
This speaker is one of the founders of a successful marketing company. In his speech, he demonstrates that Americans’ trust in banks and the government to regulate and protect money is decreasing. He goes on to explain that money as it is understood today will be replaced by digital currency. He also says there might be branded currency used for different products in the way customers use their ‘points’ at stores for discounts and credits.
2. Neha Narula: The Future of Money
Narula is a researcher at the MIT Media Lab and serves as their Director of Digital Currency Initiative. In this talk, she explains cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and compares this system to the one we have now. She explains that this new system of money, programmable money, will not require financial institutions. She emphasizes that payment will be more connected to the value of products and services than it is now. This is an important topic for students in the financial industry because, likely, they will encounter cryptocurrencies with increasing frequency during their career.
3. Chris McKnett: The Investment Logic for Sustainability
This presentation highlights why investing in sustainable businesses and industries is not only beneficial for society but also the best option for the investor. McKnett serves as vice president of one of the largest firms serving high-dollar investors. In choosing where to put money, his strategy involves analyzing more than just a company’s stock trends but focusing on issues involving the environment, society, and governance.
4. Mariana Mazzucato: Government – Investor, Risk-Taker, Innovator
As a professor and researcher, Mazzucato has studied the major influences on local and global markets. While government often gets a reputation for impeding business, she argues that government is actually the biggest force pushing the markets forward. This talk benefits students in money matters and economics because it portrays a different perspective on ways to grow the economy.
5. Annette Heuser: The 3 Agencies With the Power to Make or Break Economies
Heuser has been a big name in studying and setting global financial policy. In her talk, she says that the current system of rating a nation’s economy actually puts everyone at a disadvantage except the three companies doing the ratings. These companies also rank the credit-worthiness of banks and other companies. She makes a case for switching from the current system to a single, nonprofit agency to level the playing field.
The financial industry does not immediately come to mind when talking about exciting technological innovation. However, experts in the field can bring the subject to life and explain more complex economic topics. The above TED talks can help finance students see real-world applications of their studies and make the transition from school to professional life.
Related Resources:
