The Inspiration of TED

If you haven't heard about TED, it's time to check it out! Every year, a group of some of the world's visionaries get together in Long Beach, California to present their latest ideas and inventions. The categories vary from design to science to music to business. All the presentations are then later streamed online at www.ted.com. No matter your interests, you're bound to find something inspiring and thought provoking. The conference began in 1984 and the website launched in 2007. Their mission?

"Spreading ideas.

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you're an important part of it. Have an idea? We want to hear from you.

The TED Conference, held annually in Long Beach, is still the heart of TED. More than a thousand people now attend -- indeed, the event sells out a year in advance -- and the content has expanded to include science, business, the arts and the global issues facing our world. Over four days, 50 speakers each take an 18-minute slot, and there are many shorter pieces of content, including music, performance and comedy. There are no breakout groups. Everyone shares the same experience. It shouldn't work, but it does. It works because all of knowledge is connected. Every so often it makes sense to emerge from the trenches we dig for a living, and ascend to a 30,000-foot view, where we see, to our astonishment, an intricately interconnected whole."

A few videos we suggest to get started...

Majora Carter's tale of urban renewal | Video on TED.com: Majora Carter discusses her work cleaning up the Bronx riverfront and fighting for environmental justice--a truly inspiring woman.

Catherine Mohr builds green | Video on TED.com: Catherine Mohr discusses her process of building a home with embodied energy in mind.

Pilobolus perform "Symbiosis" | Video on TED.com: A visually stunning dance that shows the strength of the human body.

Sirena Huang dazzles on violin | Video on TED.com: A moving performance by an extraordinarily talented 11 year old.

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food | Video on TED.com: TED 2010 Prize winner, Jamie Oliver, discusses his work behind the fascinating TV show Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.