TED Day One

[tehmushroom]

That's awesome (and an achievement) that you've gone to 7 TEDs. It might sound like a longshot, but i'm going to try and be invited to one of the TED conferences and have my money to pay for it as well.

I bet it's a good experience being there listening to profound speakers hand down so much knowledge.

I must admit though, some of the talks kind of seem pointless to me (the one based on pictures from north korea, or the satirical song stype jane and jill show i think)

[polyex]

Am I the only one that suspects this conference is just a way to ask for vc money? It's sort of interesting, but not technical in any way, and certainly not very scientific. I have to wonder who is the audience for this stuff? It may be good to show it to kids to develop an interest in Science/Technology but otherwise it seems like prostitution of Science to folks who cant possibly understand the subject on any useful level to contribute except for giving money.

[tlg847]

Interesting point of view. I've been to 9 TEDs and it's definitely not a VC hustle venue. "Presenting science for an intelligent lay audiences" has been a great challenge for the past hundred years and TED does it well. The point is to see big trends, not in-depth exploration of single topics. Ever read magazines like Popular Science or Discover, or the Science Times section of the New York Times? Thanks.

[tehmushroom]

TED's a non profit organisation, nor are the speakers paid..i don't know who else might be making money off this. All the talks are also available online to watch and download, that's very rare in itself. Keeping it technical would only mean having a very narrow audience.

[AdviceToMyClones]

Oh I just spent the last few hours watching the TED director's video channel. Your vid popped up after Hans Rosling's 06/07 videos, how cool that somebody I (kind of) know was there and made a vlog about it.

[tlg847]

The TED channel is a treasure chest, isn't it? As you saw, Rosling stole the show both last year and this. Thanks for the comment.

[mixedpixel]

Hey! I wish I could have been there!! Checked out the site and saw that V. Ramachandran spoke on saturday. He is an excellent speaker - did you see him?

Next year i'll be there, i promise!

[mixedpixel]

:o(

"It currently costs $4,400 to attend a TED conference" PLUS: you have to be invited. Could you please tell me how you managed to get in? And did you have to pay for it?

[tlg847]

Well...I was invited 7 years ago and been going ever since. Yes, I do have to pay. (And the price went up for next year!)

[tlg847]

Yes, he was a smash on Saturday morning. His brain research is fascinating. Keep an eye on the TED website for the release of the conference videos online.

[mixedpixel]

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out. I never saw Ramachandran life, but i would love to.

Why doesn't TED have a channel on here???

[tlg847]

I'll pass your question along to the TED leaders!

[mixedpixel]

Thanks! And please ask them if they could invite their first subscriber next year ;-)

[TheMathGuy]

When you first started talking about "TED" I immediately thought of 'TedJesusChristGod' from YouTube, LOL!

[tlg847]

Our worldview starts to get a little, let's see, "skewed" out here in YT, doesn't it? LOL!

[rafaelcs10]

well done...

Thanks

[MrMandolin]

Hoarser? is that a word???

(lol)

[tlg847]

Interestingly in her TED speech yesterday, Erin McKean, a lexicographer talked about how few words-in-use actually appear in the dictionary! So, yes, it is!

8^)

[geezerart]

Carmel is close and it's beautiful! We wanta go!! lol Bet your tired but now your have us on the edge of our seats! Look forward to seeing your next one! Hope Chad and Steve appreciate you! We do!

[PolyrhythmIndustries]

Boy do I miss Monterey (lived there for a few years and plan on moving back). Hope you have fun while you're there :-)

[pnkdragn]

Ohhh, that's funny! I'm curious to know what Chad and Steve had to say about your presentation.

[drowan22]

Thanks for doing this. Looking forward to more.

Dick

[ockteby]

Reminds me of a Poetry Slam for Mensa members. -Just Joking- Looking forward to seeing your presentation.

[tlg847]

I like that analogy! I'll do my best to get the presentation online soon.

[BMac199]

You gave a seminar to Chad and Steve about their site? Wow, I hope they took notes. HAHA! :P

[tlg847]

Well...I didn't see any notepads, but they did seem to be paying attention and laughing in the right places!

[brianrangeley]

Sounds as though you are having a great time learning some fascinating things - I am feeling mildly jealous

[tlg847]

It really is an incredible experience, Brian. This is my seventh TED and they just seem to get better each year.

[LiberalViewer]

Hey Tom,

Welcome to California!

And, I've heard of extreme sports, but extreme hobnobbing? TED sounds like that Renaissance weekend thing. But, congrats on getting such access to the YouTube bigwigs

As you can see, my YouTube access has recently increased somewhat as well...

Thx 4 the video :-)

[JAKULL22]

Did you film this vlog in the mirror?

[tlg847]

Very perceptive, Kull. No, but there's this iSight app that lets you do some adjustments and "mirror" is one of them...I forgot it was on!

[JAKULL22]

Thank you. Don't forget my father was a photography & graphic arts teacher so I guess I inherited some of his ability to see things like that. And I also noticed when you put what appeared to be your left hand to your face, there was no wedding band....or is that just how you roll when you're away on business? Ha ha!

[pimmms2004]

Thanks!!

As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

[Gr8Shotz]

Tom, excellent vlog. Looking forward to hearing more about TED, and your YouTube sessions. I've known about TED for sometime, and have always wanted to attend. One day.... -Russ

[tlg847]

Russ, it's good to have you back here on The Tube! Thanks for the kind words...the great thing is that the TED videos are now online...not sure how long it'll be before this year's start going up but there are plenty from previous ones that are terrific.

[Gr8Shotz]

Thanks Tom. Yes, I've watched some the old TED vids here on the Tube. Great suff!

[crex81]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar? Cool... i have a really nice set of his Trainers! You see TED really has something for everyone :)

[LeSaMilano]

What an incredible conference. I took a look at the 'line-up' and have to admit I'm envious not only of the brilliant discussions but also the location. Love Monterey. Have a great time. Look forward to your log/blog/vlog.

- leS

[FantasticBabblings]

I have been watching videos of TED presentations past lately. Tom, I am so jealous. I wish I were there. I think TED tops Davos, the Renaissance weekend, all of them. You are the man.

[tlg847]

It's really a special event, Phil. Just on a break from another amazing session which I'll try to capture in blog/vlog form later.

[DrLemur]

Sounds great. Must have been amazing to see Chad and Steve.

[Tahllulah]

How interesting! Thanks for the update, Tom. Looking forward to hearing more. -cindy

[Mikerochip1]

Who are Chad and Steve? I'm serious. You spoke as if everyone would know who they are. I don't.

[tlg847]

My apologies. Chad Hurley and Steve Chen are two of the three YouTube founders.

[Mikerochip1]

Oh, ok. Thank you.

[PastaBaby]

Can't wait to hear more.

[MHarris1920]

Of course you didn't go through me you threw me. I haven't been up for long either, Tom Have fun

[MHarris1920]

You through me off there for a minute, Tom. YOu usually where your caps on the weekend.

[tlg847]

Heh-heh...I like to keep you guys off stride! (At this hour of the morning, nobody wants to see me without a hat!)

[ivor1977]

wow, i bet you felt some pressure when Chad and Steve turned up.

[tlg847]

It's funny. I wouldn't call it "pressure" exactly but it was a cool moment seeing them walk in. I actually stopped for a second and said, "whoa, look who's here; hey guys!"