My train journeys have been made more bearable this week by bringing along some of the lectures available on Ted.com. There’s nothing like having your mind expanded, even while you’re being crushed against a door.

Of the many highlights, may I recommend physicist David Deutsch on What Is Our Place In The Cosmos, the aptly-named Michael Pollan on what the world looks like if we assume that plants are in charge and Deborah Gordon getting down with the ants.

In the meantime, for those of you who have enjoyed David Attenborough’s breathtaking Life In Cold Blood, here’s a short video in which octopuses do remarkable things. Seriously.