TED of the Web

August 4, 2007 6:54 AM

100 Sites TED thinks you need to know aboutTED (Technology Entertainment Design) is an annual conference held in Monterey, California and recently, semi-annually in other cities around the world. TED describes itself as a "group of remarkable people that gather to exchange ideas of incalculable value". These are the sites that it thinks you should know about.
posted by psmealey (25 comments total)

Sheesh, just slightly self-aggrandizing there, aren't they?

Note that 'incalculable value' and 'actually having worth' are not necessarily congruent. LOLcats, for instance, would qualify for TED's wording.

That said, it's an interesting list, and thanks for posting it. :)
posted by Malor at 7:08 AM on August 4, 2007

Would Reuters count as curiosity, or knowledge?
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:12 AM on August 4, 2007

Almost without exception TED considers the "E-commerce Experience" to be that of frustratingly slow to navigate flash interfaces.
posted by The Radish at 7:27 AM on August 4, 2007

It's missing archive.org, the largest and most unsung repository of stuff on the net.
posted by stbalbach at 7:32 AM on August 4, 2007

pitchfork meets ideas: dumbness ensues.
posted by wallstreet1929 at 7:34 AM on August 4, 2007

A group of remarkable people, each with $10,000 to spare...
Their videos are great. I have learned about a lot of interesting technologies watching them. I just don't have the $10,000 lying around that would allow me to attend the conference.
posted by Eringatang at 7:43 AM on August 4, 2007

Nah, this is just one person's* Cool Links Collection.

Totally unrelated but TED probably has the single best flash video player that I've used. Also, the TED talks are pretty amazing and I'm grateful that they are available for free.

* "Julius Wiedemann, editor in charge at Taschen GmbH, offered an ultra-fast-moving ride through sites"
posted by Foci for Analysis at 7:50 AM on August 4, 2007

TED probably has the single best flash video player that I've used.

I just had a "What's the bid dea- Oh sweet!" moment there.
posted by buriednexttoyou at 8:05 AM on August 4, 2007

A group of remarkable people, each with $10,000 to spare...

It currently costs $4,400 to attend TED. And they do have 50% discount passes for folks from non-proifts and education.
posted by ericb at 8:06 AM on August 4, 2007

Every person in the main conference room has $10,000 to spare. They sent me an e-mail earlier this year saying they changed their whole payment/registration scheme. In order to attend the conference in the room where the talks are actually being held, you have to be a "member" which costs $10,000. Yes, you could watch the talks by simulcast for less in a different room. It was the $10,000 number that stuck in my head. I did not save this e-mail, so I can't support this assertion, but it was so amazing to me that I do not think I am remembering it incorrectly. I think they have a very limited number of discount passes for educators that they give out to people they know, so it is not possible for someone like me to get one. I have inquired about this for past conferences, and they are always "sold-out." Unfortunately they have no pricing info on their site, if you know of a place that states their current pricing, that would be helpful to post.
posted by Eringatang at 8:38 AM on August 4, 2007

Oh wait - you are so right ericb, it only costs $6000 for the priority main room seating. I stand super corrected. And, if you want to apply early for conference registration that will cost you another $1000 for the associate membership.
posted by Eringatang at 8:43 AM on August 4, 2007

Digg? Seriously? And the biggest tag on their infocloud is Entertainment?
posted by wigu at 8:43 AM on August 4, 2007

Also Reuters as their first link. Puh-lease. Anyone who describes themselves that way is a joke.
posted by xammerboy at 9:13 AM on August 4, 2007

BTW -- you don't need to be an Associate, Donor, Patron or Felllow to attend. I have attended in the past and have only paid the conference fee.

From the website:

"It currently costs $4,400 to attend a TED conference. They are invitation-only events, but there is a simple process for requesting an invitation, and anyone can apply.

For people working full time in Education or for a Non-Profit, we have a limited number of passes priced at a 50% discount. And each year we award up to 5 free passes for truly exceptional individuals who otherwise could not afford to come to TED. If you believe you fall into either of these categories, click the appropriate choice on the registration page."

posted by ericb at 9:16 AM on August 4, 2007

I am pretty sure that pricing info is out of date, as it isn't on their new website, and it's on some site called test.ted.com. Also, that e-mail I got saying their pricing scheme was changing...
posted by Eringatang at 9:34 AM on August 4, 2007

For those unfamiliar with TED -- in 1984 it was co-founded and run by architect and graphic designer Richard Saul Wurman (who sponsored a new conference eg last year).

TED is now hosted by Chris Anderson and owned by his non-profit The Sapling Foundation^.* The conferences are some of the most intriguing and engaging to which I have ever been -- right up there with the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival.

Introduced in 2005 the TED prize awards 3 people each a grant of $100,000 to implement a "wish to change the world." Bill Clinton was one who won the 2007 prize to launch a pilot health care system in Rwanda. The other winners: photojournalist James Nachtwey and biologist E.O. Wilson^.*

Eringatang -- I didn't go this year, but did find this: "In 2006, attendance cost $4,400 and was by invitation only. The membership model was shifted in January of 2007 to an annual membership fee of $6,000 which includes attendance of the conference, club mailings, networking tools and conference DVDs."^*
posted by ericb at 9:36 AM on August 4, 2007

Arrogant people trying to sell BMWs to middle managers who no one listens too. EXCITING!
posted by delmoi at 9:45 AM on August 4, 2007

Also Reuters as their first link. Puh-lease. Anyone who describes themselves that way is a joke.

BTW -- as Foci for Analysis points out above these 100 websites and the order in which they were presented was the crux of a live presentation given by Julius Wiedemann. It's his (and not that of TED -- as per the FPP wording). He arranged it in his preferred order -- from which he garners information, news and inspiration.

Since one of my first links visited on a daily basis is often MetaFilter I guess some would consider me to be a "joke?" What is the perfect "first site" to visit?
posted by ericb at 9:50 AM on August 4, 2007

Since one of my first links visited on a daily basis is often MetaFilter I guess some would consider me to be a "joke?" What is the perfect "first site" to visit?

As long as it isn't digg I mean jeez
posted by wigu at 10:10 AM on August 4, 2007

Hmm. Random list. Could benefit from screenshots and abstracts/descriptions. I mean it's just a list of links. How do I know goatse is not hiding behind one of them?! Should have hired a $10/hr intern with some of that BMW money...
posted by mrgrimm at 10:14 AM on August 4, 2007

I like TED. I like what they are doing with the web, and I like it that they share things like videos, podcasts and lists of links. It's the web, so it's just another list, but there is so much crap on the web that I celebrate anyone who is actually trying - and succeeding - in adding value.
posted by salishsea at 11:36 AM on August 4, 2007 [1 favorite]

Why the hell would anyone want to visit gnu.org? Any updates worth reading are done on a mailing list.

"Dudes, Ive been growing my neckbeard out and the HURD almost boots up a command prompt. Almost! Maybe next year."
posted by damn dirty ape at 11:50 AM on August 4, 2007

these assholes stole my bookmarks!
posted by parmanparman at 12:29 PM on August 4, 2007

TED has produced some really great stuff. But some is really crappy. Digg, a website you "should know and use"? Ms Fucking Dewey?

The bono thing, discussed in this interesting article: Africans to Bono: 'For God's sake please stop!') kinda exemplifies the wierdness of TED. Trying to help, but trapped in preconceived, comfortable realites.
posted by MetaMonkey at 5:59 PM on August 4, 2007

ge.com under curiosity and knowledge? I saw nothing but product write-ups and other marketing bullshit.
posted by dozo at 9:17 AM on August 5, 2007