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What “Machiavellian” really means - Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler

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TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

From Shakespeare’s plays to modern TV dramas, the unscrupulous schemer for whom the ends always justify the means has become a familiar character type we love to hate. For centuries, we’ve had a single word to describe such characters: Machiavellian. But is it possible that we’ve been using that word wrong this whole time? Pazit Cahlon and Alex Gendler investigate the origins of the term.

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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 Pazit Cahlon, Alex Gendler
  • Director Hector Herrera
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Producer Pazit Cahlon
  • Composer Andrew Scott
  • Sound Designer Nick Sewell
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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