The global conference known as TED—known for presenting short speeches by some of the finest minds in the world—will send one of its spinoffs to Santa Cruz June 11, called TEDx.
It's the first time for the conference to be here, and its first venue will be the new Cabrillo College recital hall. The committee that runs the program is looking for 15-25 speakers to give talks of less than 18 minutes.
"We are looking for the outliers, the doers of great deeds, people who may do great things but aren't in the public eye," says David Warren, a retired computer science professor who is bringing the talk here.
TED started in 1984 as a for-profit, onetime event in Monterey, but it was so popular, it grew around the world. The main conference is now in Long Beach the first week of March. It became nonprofit in the 1990s and has spun off smaller, regional conferences called TEDx.
TED stands for technology, entertainment and design; however, the speeches have branched off into all kinds of topics, including a highly controversial rant by comedian Sarah Silverman.
Among the early speakers were Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Al Gore. The speeches are broadcast on Youtube and Ted.com. One of the most impressive ones is by Pranav Mistry, an Indian inventor who has created something called "Sixth Sense" technology, a remarkable leap forward for computing that he has donated to the world for free.
The local "x" or extended conferences give speakers a chance to rise to the top and get notice that could have them reach the main conference.
"TED is trying to be more democratic and spread into communities," said Warren. "They have the money to look all over the world for great speakers, giving access and ability to see what rises up on YouTube and who gets the most views. Suddenly, they may be looking at someone from Santa Cruz to speak at the next year's TED.
The main conferences cost as much as $7,000 for a ticket, or are by invitation only. The Santa Cruz TEDx costs only $75 and includes a lunch. Participants will get a lunch for five people and have to share it with four others, to network.
As part of getting the local conference, Warren will be able to stream the March 2 TED talk from Long Beach, featuring Bill Gates. It will be broadcast at the Inner Light Ministries, at 5630 Soquel Dr. in Soquel, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Warren and a committee of 15 locals will select the speakers and musicians from applicants to the TEDx Santa Cruz website, and they urge applicants to submit proposals soon. Nominations are due by March 1.
morgannebshayne
6:29 pm on Sunday, May 15, 2011
i would recommend a santa cruz family i know. on less than an acre, they keep a cow, chickens, a huge garden , fruit and avacado trees, berries and more....they grow and sell things to make their money. they make their own cheese, butter, yogurt, bread, jam, vinegar, miso, and everything else...even sparkling elderberry sodas in summer! they are my ideal of a sustainable organic system, happy family, good neighbors, teacher's and more. I am telling you to see if you are interested in knowing them. I think I have to ask them as well and see if they are up for this! they are what many people dream to be...successful urban farmers...we need more people doing this very thing to create sustainable local food sources for neighborhoods everywhere!