Ideas change everything

A radical experiment in empathy

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Sam Richards |

TEDxPSU

• October 2010

Can two countries at war dare to empathize with one another? Step by methodical step, sociologist Sam Richards gives his audience an extraordinary challenge: to allow a group of (mainly) Americans to understand -- not approve of, but understand -- the motivations of an Iraqi insurgent. A powerful talk.

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Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Can two countries at war dare to empathize with one another? Step by methodical step, sociologist Sam Richards gives his audience an extraordinary challenge: to allow a group of (mainly) Americans to understand -- not approve of, but understand -- the motivations of an Iraqi insurgent. A powerful talk.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxPSU, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

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About the speaker

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Sam Richards is a sociologist and teacher of the largest race relations course in the US. He argues that empathy is the core of sociology.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxPSU, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.