TEDBlog August, 2009 Archive
31 August 2009
One seed at a time, protecting the future of food: Cary Fowler on TED.com
The varieties of wheat, corn and rice we grow today may not thrive in a future threatened by climate change. Cary Fowler takes us inside a vast global seed bank, buried within a frozen mountain in Norway, that stores a diverse group of food-crop for whatever tomorrow may bring. (Recorded at TEDGlobal 2009, in Oxford, England. Duration: 17:08)
Watch Cary Fowler’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 500 TEDTalks.
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29 August 2009
The week in comments
Maybe it was because of our 500th TEDTalk, but this weeks comments seemed especially meaningful. From people being amazed at Eric Giler’s WiTricity to people rethinking their life strategy thanks to Dan Pink’s talk on motivation. Here’s just a sampling of the reaction:
On Natasha Tsakos’ talk: A multimedia theatrical adventure:
This lady is amazing – talented and inspiring, to say the least. My sense is that she’s just begun to explore the depths of reality and cross the borders of an infinite imagination. What’s more, to have a social conscience – to connect and collaborate – makes her work a must-see for everyone! — Ron
On Dan Pink’s talk: The surprising science of motivation:
1. autonomy, 2. mastery, 3. purpose. I am going to be beating this drum for a bit. thanks to dan pink TWIT — coreformula via Twitter
Excellent talk! Its interesting to note that the science supports innovative, out-of-the-box thinking and not the subject of economics. Economics is based on aligning incentive structures to maximize utility and productivity. Productivity is reminiscent of the 20th century and the industrial revolution. The 21st Century is about fostering innovation and companies need re-think their performance models to take that into account and stay competitive in this new arena … — Rebecca
On Eric Giler’s talk: Wireless electricity demo:
I’m pumped on the reality of WiTricity from Eric Giler’s talk at #TED — vspeelman via Twitter
That is very interesting. As Eric stated this is very old technology, I am wondering why it has come out now? And how they will hinder its productivity to monopolize it? I will watch this old invention made new with great interest. — Aaron
On Hans Rosling’s talk: Let my dataset change your mindset:
The way his personality and his website bring information to the public so lucidly and persuasively is unparalleled from all the talks I’ve watched from TED. Here he breaks apart our conceptions of developing countries and literally delineates the problems plaguing so many countries. — Brad
Thank you TED, for letting Hans come and talk again. Inspiring, really really inspiring. Improving data availability, transparency and usability (As hans conveys perfectly) will rocket our world into new heights of prosperity and health, I am sure of it! — Colin
As always, thanks for the comments on the talks. We hope you’ll be here sparking discussion for the next 500.
28 August 2009
A multimedia theatrical adventure: Natasha Tsakos on TED.com
Natasha Tsakos presents and performs her one-woman, multimedia show, “Upwake.” As the character Zero, she blends dream and reality with an inventive virtual world projected around her in 3D animation and electric sound. (Recorded at TED2009, in Long Beach, CA. Duration: 14:39)
Watch Natasha Tsakos’ talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 500 TEDTalks.
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27 August 2009
Celebrating the 500th TEDTalk!
Today, TED.com releases its 500th TEDTalk: perennial favorite Hans Rosling’s latest data-bubble presentation from TED@State. Since April 2007, the TED.com site has selected the best talks and performances from TED and partner conferences around the world and made them available to everyone online, for free. In keeping with TED’s mission to spread ideas, these talks have been reposted, shared among friends and shown in classrooms from middle schools to colleges.
Reaching 500 TEDTalks is an amazing milestone, and one that was not entirely expected. The experiment of putting talks online has blossomed into a thriving web community of fans and friends of TED, in ways that no one could have predicted. One blogger has made it her goal to watch absolutely all of the TEDTalks (for a spreadsheet that includes every TEDTalk, click here). Our incredibly dedicated volunteer translators have helped us provide TEDTalks in dozens of different languages. And, on our Facebook page, fans discuss and debate on the talks as they go up, creating strings of conversation that often extend into hundreds of comments. At TED, we’ve worked very hard to reach 500 talks, but we couldn’t have done without you.
27 August 2009
Let my dataset change your mindset: Hans Rosling is our 500th TEDTalk
Talking at the US State Department this summer, Hans Rosling uses his fascinating data-bubble software to burst myths about the developing world. Look for new analysis on China and the post-bailout world, mixed with classic data shows.(Recorded at the US State Department, June 2009 in Washington, DC. Duration: 19:57)
Watch Hans Rosling’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 500 TEDTalks.
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26 August 2009
Help nominate TED's panels for SXSW Interactive next year
For next year’s SXSW Interactive festival in Texas, TED has submitted four ideas for panel discussions and talks — and your vote can help put them on the official schedule.
If you’re planning on going to SXSW Interactive next spring or following via podcast, check out the ideas below, and cast your vote if they look interesting! TED has suggested these four panels — click each name to read more and to vote:
“Turning a Real-Life Event Into an Online Experience” For years, the TED Conference was a well-kept secret among the 1,000 people who attended each year. All that changed in 2006, when the talks from the conference first appeared online. June Cohen, the Executive Producer of TED Media, talks about how to share the magic of a live conference with an online audience.
“Evolution of Online Video” A group of industry leaders (including TED’s Jason Wishnow) will talk about the evolution of online video and weigh in on emerging trends for the future of online video
“Offering Your Content in 100 Languages” A social translation program like TED’s Open Translation Project is one way to make your website accessible to a global audience. Representatives from successful translation projects will share what works.
“Anatomy of a TEDTalk” June Cohen and Jason Wishnow of TED’s media team will explain how TED makes addictive video out of conference speakers giving the “talk of their lives.” They’ll walk through the process of creating a TEDTalk and offer lots of advice and tips.
Voting closes at the end of the day on Friday, September 4, 2009. And SXSW Interactive happens March 12-16 in Austin, Texas.
26 August 2009
Watch the TEDIndia preview video
Happening November 4-7, 2009, TEDIndia offers a vision of the future that’s rich with invention, entrepreneurship, cross-disciplinary problem-solving, unexpected solutions and sensory delight. Hosted in a country that’s reinventing itself — and reshaping the world. Want to know more? Watch this preview of the experience in Mysore this November 4-7:
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25 August 2009
Wireless electricity demo: Eric Giler on TED.com
Eric Giler wants to untangle our wired lives with cable-free electric power. Here, he covers what this sci-fi tech offers, and demos MIT’s breakthrough version, WiTricity — a near-to-market invention that may soon recharge your cell phone, car, pacemaker.(Recorded at TEDGlobal 2009, July 2009 in Oxford, UK. Duration: 10:10)
Twitter URL: http://on.ted.com/2V
Watch Eric Giler’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 475+ TEDTalks.
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24 August 2009
The surprising science of motivation: Dan Pink on TED.com
From last month’s TEDGlobal 2009: Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don’t: Traditional rewards aren’t always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories — and maybe, a way forward. (Recorded at TEDGlobal 2009, July 2009 in Oxford, UK. Duration: 18:36)
Twitter URL: http://on.ted.com/2U
Watch Dan Pink’s talk on TED.com where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of 475+ TEDTalks.
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21 August 2009
Update: Afghanistan elections
Although preliminary results for Afghanistan’s presidential election will not be publicized until Saturday (and full results may not come until September 3), both President Hamid Karzai and second favorite Abdullah Abdullah are claiming victory. If neither candidate receives 50% of the vote, a run-off vote will occur. Voter participation was estimated at 40-50%, far lower than the 70% turnout for the first presidential election of 2004. Allegations of fraud are widespread and Ashraf Ghani’s campaign team is expressing its concern over reports of ballot box stuffing in the south where only a paucity of election observers could monitor the polls.
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