Staff Writer
TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Talks are stimulating lectures that cover countless subjects. In under twenty minutes, speakers educate their audience on a chosen topic. In the past, topics have included religion, dinosaurs, fear, motivation, biomimicry, and many others. TED talks have been around since the 80s but gained popularity in the 2000s when they were put online.
TED Talks first started in 1984 as an annual conference in Monterey, California. Since then, it has moved locations, accepted speakers with a variety of ideas, and began awarding prizes for the greatest innovations of the year.
There isn't a single definition for a TED Talk. Each discussion is vastly different from the last. The non-profit Sapling Foundation, which owns TED, is dedicated to addressing important topics that involve everyone around the world. Several famous speakers have come to California to share their ideas, including Bill Clinton, Bono, Jane Goodall, Al Gore, Bill Gates, and Stephen Hawking.
The Talks take place at week long conferences. Each conference presents several Talks. To attend a conference, one must submit an application for review and pay a steep fee.
They operate under the semblance of ‘Ideas Worth Spreading.’ True to its word, each talk is interesting and sure to give viewers a new perspective on the subject. NHNE.org said, "If you are looking for something that will expand your mind, open your heart, and possibly rekindle your faith in humankind, a good place to start is listening to the fabulously inspiring presentations made by the best and brightest among us."
If you don’t have the time or money to attend a TED Talk, they can be accessed for free online at www.ted.com or on YouTube. There you can also find links to TEDx (locally organized groups creating TED style talks) and TED-Ed which provides educational videos geared toward teachers and students. With the number of TED Talks out there and the diversity of topics, viewers are sure to find something inspiring.
