www.alliancecom.net 5 According to its website, TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. Its audience is anyone with an interest and an internet connection. Learn About the Organization That Teaches Us All History of TED The first annual TED event was held in 1990. As the conferences grew in popularity, celebrities began to participate, including Nobel Prize winners, actors, and business leaders. Until 2006, the events remained limited to invited speakers and audience members who could afford the expensive tickets. But organizers wanted this information to be accessible to everyone, so they started posting talks online. The website now includes thousands of talks in more than 100 languages, with more than one billion views. On a Mission TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. Its mission statement includes this: “We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. On TED.com, we’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers —and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long.” The organization has expanded beyond the conferences to include the Audacious Project, which amplifies the ideas of changemakers; TEDx events, which are smaller, local TED conferences; and the TED-Ed lesson series, which supports classroom learning. TED Topics The list of TED topics is long and highly varied (see TED.com/topics). Its scope has widened from the original categories of technology, education, and design to also include other areas. Here’s an overview with examples of topics to give you an idea of what’s available: • Technology – artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robots • Sciences – astronomy, chemistry, and geology • Health conditions – autism, blindness, and cancer • Social issues – bullying, homelessness, and online privacy • Environmental concerns – climate change and pollution • Arts – dance, fashion, and poetry Most Popular Talks At TED.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all, you can find a list of the 25 most popular talks of all time. Topics include body language, motivation, what makes a good life, how great leaders inspire action, and how to spot a liar. What Makes TED Talks So Effective? TED talks stand out for being both easy to understand and impactful, which is why they’re frequently viewed and shared. What are the secrets to their effectiveness? Passionate speakers. While TED speakers may gain recognition for themselves, their organizations, and their work, that’s not why they do it. They’re truly passionate about the topics they present and want to share their knowledge with as many people as possible. Plenty of preparation. Many TED talks may seemsimple and even spontaneous, but a lot of preparation goes into them. The speeches are written, memorized, and practiced well in advance. High-quality visuals. TED talks feature photos, videos, charts, physical props, and body language to help get their points across. Short length. Most TED talks are less then 18 minutes, which forces speakers to stay on topic and present only the most important information.
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