How Many Wyomingites Know What A “TED Talk” IS?

I like to feel up to date on current trends in society. I keep my ear to the internet highway, and try to make sure I'm not slacking.

Then I find out I am out of touch on some stuff and need to catch up.

One of the subjects I would nod my head in agreement to, and not really know what it is, is the phrase 'TED Talk.'

What the heck is that? Who is this TED, and why is he so important that he's doing so many talks? Ever heard about TED Talks?

According to SpeakerFlow.com, a TED Talk is NOT a talk from some guy named TED. Nope, a TED Talk is a short presentation that focuses on Technology, Entertainment, and/or Design.

TED.com says:

The goal of the TED Foundation is to foster the spread of great ideas. It aims to provide a platform for thinkers, visionaries and teachers, so that people around the globe can gain a better understanding of the biggest issues faced by the world, and feed 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 Talks are short videos, speaking events, and even podcasts that are devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder, and the pursuit of knowledge. If you're curious, Ted.com offers 11 TED Talks that cover a broad range of topics.

Interestingly enough, I've heard quite a few podcasts discussing listening to a TED Talk. So, I started researching what it was, and much to my surprise, it's not a new thing. You can see TED TALKS from a span of 30 years to get an idea of how the ideas have evolved.

Like this one from Nicholas Negroponte from 1984, and his five predictions for the "future."

TED is a real non-profit organization that promotes ideas, without an agenda. In today's split society, that seems unheard of, but a TED Talk is open to all ideas and how to put them to use.

If you've heard the term "TED Talk" and didn't know what it was, you do now, and maybe it can be helpful to you.