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How do you know what's true? - Sheila Marie Orfano

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TEDEd Animation

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A samurai is found dead in a quiet bamboo grove. One by one, the crime’s only known witnesses recount their version of the events. But as they each tell their tale, it becomes clear that every testimony is plausible yet different. And each witness implicates themselves. What’s going on? Sheila Marie Orfano explores the phenomenon of warring perspectives known as the Rashomon effect.

A car crash occurred at the intersection by your home, and you and your neighbor were both witnesses. When the police arrive to find out what happened, you tell them that the person driving the red car caused the accident. Your neighbor tells them that the person driving the blue car caused the accident. Explain why this is an example of the Rashomon effect.

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Sheila Marie Orfano
  • Director Jeremiah Dickey, Gerta Xhelo
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Sound Designer Jeremiah Dickey
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Emma Bryce
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

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