Who is Ted and why is he so popular? The nearly 200 people who attended Sacramento’s inaugural TEDx conference last night at Hinde Auditorium at Sac State discovered that “what is TED?” is the better question. TED is a nonprofit devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” It started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds--Technology, Entertainment, and Design--and now its scope has become ever broader. Since the launch of the TEDx program only six months ago, thousands ... goodlaura Laura Good comment-25136 2010-04-19T19:23:46Z 2010-04-19T19:23:46Z There is a TEDx Silicon Valley too. I haven't checked it out many of the videos yet, but there is a YouTube channel for TEDx --perhaps you could catch some of the content there. Laura Good 2010-04-19T19:23:46Z Laura Good comment-25135 2010-04-19T19:21:00Z 2010-04-19T19:21:00Z Taking off my journalist hat, I enjoyed the first Sacrament TEDx very much. The pace was quick and the topics were all interesting. My favorite speakers were Robyn Waxman on FARM and Scott Brusaw on Solar Roadways. But all of the speakers were very good. I was excited to hear that the next event is planned for November. The challenge will be to find a venue large enough to allow everyone who wants to come to be there! I also enjoyed talking with fellow attendees at the reception after the event. I reconnected with some friends and twitter buddies and also met some new folks. Laura Good 2010-04-19T19:21:00Z Che Perez comment-25134 2010-04-19T19:18:47Z 2010-04-19T19:18:47Z TED is an excellent organization, a bit too academic for me, but good speakers who are OUTSIDE academia nonetheless. I was fortunate to meet their music director, the incomparable Sir Thomas Dolby. A few years ago, he performed at Harlows. I had no idea what TED was at the time, but we spoke and he gave me his card and it said TED... So I looked it up and was blown away by their FREE VIDEO ARCHIVE of GREAT SPEAKERS talking about RELEVANT topics. I'm not a big fan of TEDex, it's like a franchise version of the original. But since it's SUPER difficult to be accepted into the core group, this will be attractive to them. As for me, I wouldn't trust any group that would have me as a member - paraphrased, Groucho Marx. Che Perez 2010-04-19T19:18:47Z bbbbmer comment-25117 2010-04-19T15:54:26Z 2010-04-19T15:54:26Z I wish I had known about this or another similar event in San Francisco... It could have been fun to attend... Does the local TEDx group have a website??? Whoopsie -- nevermind... I found it... bbbbmer 2010-04-19T15:54:26Z Opiner comment-25111 2010-04-19T07:39:10Z 2010-04-19T07:39:10Z Curious as to no comments. Who went, any responses? What you like, what not? If we do this again, how to make it better? What themes to explore? Who to invite? Opiner 2010-04-19T07:39:10Z