About a year ago, I was introduced to TED and enchanted immediately. Since then, TED and I have laughed, cried, and learned together. Never before had I felt this way about a website.
TED, short for Technology, Entertainment and Design, is an American non-profit organization that began in 1984. The aim of TED was to bring together gifted people from three very different disciplines to share ideas, “Ideas Worth Spreading.” These “TEDTalks” are now available online for anyone to view.
Each year, the main TED conference is held in California. A off-spin of the annual TED Conference, called TEDGlobal, has also been created since TED’s original conception. This conference is held in a different location each year, last year being held in Oxford, UK. Each year, these TED conferences have varying themes relating to world issues or simply poses a thought provoking statement to speak to. This definitely provides the framework for intriguing idea sharing.
Over the years, TED has grown considerably. The list of TED speakers now includes Noble Prize Winners, World Leaders and Academy Award Winners, including Bono, Bill Clinton, James Cameron, Bill Gates, Al Gore, Stephen Hawking and many, many more. Since 2006, there have been 200 million views of the more than 700 TEDTalks.
The TED website, ted.com, in and of itself is excellent. Depending on your interests, you can search for a TEDTalk and you will be sure to find something fascinating. The talks have also been categorized into themes of Technology, Entertainment, and Design, as well as Business, Science, Culture, Arts, and Global issues. A favourite feature of mine are the Rated talks, where talks can be rated as jaw-dropping, persuasive, courageous, ingenious, fascinating, inspiring, beautiful, funny, or informative. This is a perfect way to guide your TED viewing. Typical TEDTalks are on average 20 minutes in length, the perfect study break. There are also “TEDTalks in less than 6 minutes,” as well as longer TEDTalks similar to lectures.
Waterloo and TED are also well acquainted. TEDx are independently organized TED Events. This past February, TEDx Waterloo took place, hosting a variety of local genius. Videos from this conference are also available online – I encourage you to check them out! There are many other high profile TED events in existence. TEDMED is another independent TED event focusing on a medical technology and health care.
The Annual TED Prize was introduced back in 2005. TED Prize presenters bring forth their “One Wish to Change the World,” with hopes of winning the $100 000 prize. With this financial win also brings the benefit of involving the entire TED community, with their rich supply of talent, in order to instigate change. The prize was originally awarded to three individuals, but starting in 2010 will be given to one deserving “TEDster.” The 2010 TED Prize winner was Jamie Oliver with his wish “for help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everything to fight obesity.”
Personally, I have found TEDTalks to be a perfect source of inspiration, or “procrastinating with purpose,” as I like to call it. I find myself recommending certain talks to my friends all of the time. Most of my favourites have been recommended to me by other people. Here are three of my favourites I suggest you check out:
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