Every year in the States there is a four day conference held in the States called TED ( technology – entertainment – design). It’s Go to this link and it will explain the rationale behind TED far far better than I can. But the really cool thing is that they are posting 15 minute plus selected presentations so we can enjoy what the presenters have to say without paying the $4500.
Here is the hype…
Each year, TED hosts some of the world’s most fascinating people: Trusted voices and convention-breaking mavericks, icons and geniuses. The talks they deliver have had had such a great impact, we thought they deserved a wider audience. So now – with our sponsor BMW and production partner WNYC/New York Public Radio we’re sharing some of the most remarkable TED talks with the world at large. Each week, we’ll release a new talk, in audio and video, to download or watch online. For best effect, plan to listen to at least three, start to finish. They have a cumulative effect…
So find an hour and here are my pick for three TEDTalks (audio, video)
Lets start with the talk by Jeff Han. I saw him demonstrate his touch sensitive screen concept on Beyond Tomorrow a month or so back. It just wiped me out the second I saw it, it was so intuitive, in 3 seconds you could see how it worked. I want it. By the way Jeff is an incredibly passionate communicator,
Jeff Han is a research scientist for NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and the inventor of an “interface-free” touch-driven computer screen. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, CA. Duration: 09:32)
Audio
Download Video
Nicholas Negroponte is a amazing character, you tend to get dragged on board his vision or you run away. He doesn’t leave a lot of people in the middle ground.
Nicholas Negroponte is former Director of the MIT Media Lab, and founder of the non-profit, One Laptop Per Child. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, CA. Duration: 18:21)
Number three would have to be Amy Smith, the work she is doing in under developed countries starting with building a better charcoal and working up from there, is astounding.
MIT engineer Amy Smith designs ingenious low-cost devices to tackle tough problems in developing countries. (Recorded February 2006 in Monterey, CA. Duration: 15:48)
There is a talk buy Jimmy Wales about Wikipedia, some astounding musical prodigies and a bunch of other stuff. This is inspirational stuff.
Not to be missed.