From Inspired to Infectious

Throughout that process, Chris has had a ringside view of the world's most significant thinkers
who’ve shared their boldest ideas across every imaginable discipline. Under his visionary leadership, TED
Conferences have become a catalyst for innovation.

It should come as no surprise that Chris has developed his own vision for changing the world, what he
believes is the ultimate idea worth spreading: the power of using social media for good.

“To so many people right now, the future seems dark,” Chris says. “People seem to have become
impossibly divided from one another. And to some extent, the internet, especially social media, is to
blame. I believe the response we need can be summed up in two words: ‍Infectious Generosity.”

What Is Infectious Generosity?

Through a combination of inspiring stories, cutting-edge psychological research and practical guidance, Infectious Generosity is both a manifesto and a guide on a journey of generosity.

“We live in a hyperconnected world where generosity can spread from a simple act to millions of people,” Chris highlights. “I believe there is a pathway for us to reclaim the internet as mostly a force for spreading good.”

His new book, Infectious Generosity offers insight into how Chris developed this vision and what everyone can do to bring it to fruition.

TED is amplifying Chris’ vision through the Infectious Generosity website, where visitors can order the book, chat with a TIGG, your AI Guru who can help spark ideas of generosity and even view and share resources using the Generosity Feed.

We’re also “taking a page” out of Chris’ book to further amplify the generous gifts of knowledge, insight, imagination and inspiration between TED speakers and audience members. TED2024 and future TED Conferences will weave in the ideas found in Infectious Generosity through speaker selections, content curation, and opportunities for shared experiences.

How Infectious Generosity Spreads

Every one of us has a part to play in spreading infectious generosity. We can be generous financially. We
can share time, knowledge, attention, skills and more. However, it’s the cultivation of a generous
mindset that Chris believes will transform our individual actions into viral giving. The impact of which
will have ripple effects for generations.

Imagine a world where Chris’ vision of Infectious Generosity is at the core. Changemakers, industries,
companies and countries could be transformed. The vision is alive and spreading – just as Chris
predicted. Here are some of the inspiring stories of Infectious Generosity that have already taken place:

• Street artist, Mundano, painted 200 carroças (trash carts) to bring visibility to the catadores (trash collectors) wheeling them through the streets of São Paulo. A #PimpMyCarroça movement began. 1,000 donors and 800 volunteers provided funds and healthcare for catadores across Brazil.
• At 99 years old, Sir Captain Tom Moore set off to walk 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the England’s National Health Service. His courage went viral and by the time he crossed the finish line the public had donated £32 million #WalkWithTom
• Korean band BTS and their fans, known as ‘BTS Army’, collaborate around their shared commitment to alleviate suffering. After the band’s $1m donation to Black Lives Matter, BTS Army matched it in just 24 hours #MatchAMillion
• Goto Ikki, Keisuke & Kaz Kobayashi pick up trash. But theatrically and dressed as Samurai. Thanks to social media fame, there’s now an army of #GomiHiroiSamurai across Japan
• Joshua Coombes traveled the world offering haircuts to homeless people to share their underheard stories. His #DoSomethingForNothing philosophy has turned into a 150,000-person social movement
• Matthew Burrows enabled artists to support each other by pledging to buy another artist’s work for £200, when their own sales hit £1,000. His #ArtistsSuportPledge campaign has raised £70,000,000 for artists around the world
• John Sweeney reinvented an Italian tradition and used social media to inspire coffee lovers to buy an extra one to pass on to a stranger. #SuspendedCoffee is now promoted by 2,000 cafes in 34 countries
• Inspired by a box of tissues and a note reading “Please take if needed”, Dr Catherine Barret had a simple idea to spread kindness during the pandemic. The #KindnessPandemic Facebook Group now has over half a million people doing exactly that.

Infectious Generosity at TED

During Chris’ 2023 TED Talk about “Infectious Generosity,” he randomly picked Michelle Pascal from the audience and handed her an
envelope containing $1,000 as an act of generosity. Recently, Michelle shared the impact of Chris’
generosity.

She gifted $300 and a heartfelt note to a talented young designer, whose emotional reaction
mirrored how Michelle when receiving Chris’ gift. Clearly he ignited something:

“This experience stands out as one of the best in my life, not just because of the monetary gift, but because
it highlighted the generosity and kindness that exist in the world. Your act of kindness has left an indelible
mark, and I can't thank you enough.”

– Michelle Pascal

Find Your Inspiration for Generosity

Experience the gift of infectious generosity yourself at TED. Our highly curated agenda of speakers,
installations and activations, along with our equally curated list of attendees is designed for infectious
optimism and generosity. Find out how we’ve woven this powerful concept into our conferences first-
hand and join the TED community.