For my first post I really can’t do better than to introduce you to
TED.com . And by way of introduction I can’t do better than quote from their web site.

[TED] aims to provide a platform for the world’s smartest thinkers, greatest visionaries and most-inspiring teachers, so that millions of people can gain a better understanding of the biggest issues faced by the world, and a desire to help create a better future. Core to this goal is a belief that there is no greater force for changing the world than a powerful idea.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and the site has grown out of an annual conference that has been held in Monterey since 1989 in front of an invited audience. Minimum cost is $6,000 for the four days. Sorry, but the 2008 conference is already sold out! Luckily the site currently holds about 150 videos of some of the best talks.

Now, we are talking some seriously good speakers here - world leaders in their own fields - and they are ‘challenged to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes’. The site was only redesigned around the talks this year, and It’s firmly on my favourites list.

It takes a while to get used to the navigation. In my opinion they’ve tried too hard to be helpful and you are presented with too many clever ways to find what you’re looking for. I’d suggest that you start on the ‘about’ page.

As a taster I’ve embedded a couple of the talks below, but they certainly do not tell the whole story about the site. The first one, by Art Benjamin, is highly entertaining (I know it’s maths but, really, stick with it. You WILL be impressed!). For me, Bill Stone’s talk certainly has that wow factor. You start off deep underground with this incredible man, but just wait until you find out what he’s going to do next!

To view full screen click the grey icon with arrows at the bottom of the video. Warning - make sure your speakers are on, but don’t have the sound too loud!