Lies, damned lies and statistics (about TEDTalks)

http://www.ted.com In a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek analysis, Sebastian Wernicke turns the tools of statistical analysis on TEDTalks, to come up with a metric for creating "the optimum TEDTalk" based on user ratings. How do you rate it?

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[RaustBD]

TED TALK HERO!

[OuroborosChoked]

I'm not sure why, but there's something about this video that I just like a whole lot.

[Jaquettie]

This is such a good vid, et cetera et cetera

[FunkyMonkeyJunkie302]

I'm actually desperate for TedTalkHero to come out ... looks like the best game EVER O.o

[rockinthisnecropolis]

@RickZiis I'm under the impression that these talks were designed to be factual, rather than persuasive. But who knows. My 'beef' is essentially only with color. It's true that people have their prejudices in how they learn, I need to hear things, but color probably isn't factor. Presentation is a large factor, the congruentness of the data's compilation, ratio of key ideas vs secondary ideas ect ect ;) but I have NEVER heard of a correlation to colorblindess and learning, for example.

[RickZiis]

@rockinthisnecropolis Why? Persuasion is about a lot more than facts. It always has been and likely always will be. People may vary on the extent to which they are persuaded by popularity, color, authoritativeness, length of presentation. perceived underlying biases, etc, etc, etc, etc, but everyone is subject to irrelevant factors that serve to persuade, inspire, or whatever the case may be.

[PivotSideEffects]

web surfing though ted,screw homework

[rockinthisnecropolis]

I'm sad that basic irrelevant things, specifically color, are factors in enlightening media.

[sawboss42]

That one is funny !

[doihaveot]

@OuroborosChoked i know right

[squishedpimp]

@billyjay people like people who talk about the things they're interested in... namely TED