Are you looking for a way to get inspired or learn something new? TEDx Talks may be just what you need! TEDx Talks are talks given by experts in various fields that are meant to educate, inspire, and entertain. Those short, informational videos are the perfect way to learn about new topics or get inspired about something you are passionate about. But what exactly are TED Talks, and how can you get involved? Here’s everything you need to know about TEDx Talks.
What is TEDx Talk?
To know about TEDx Talk, you need to know what Ted is. It is a non-profit organization that aims to let the world know about innovative ideas and inspiring discoveries through lectures that last only 18 minutes or less.
TED is the initials of three English words: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. However, Ted’s scope is not limited to these three topics. Moreover, they also try to create new and varied lectures on all possible subjects in the world. These lectures are informative as well as inspiring. As a result, the audiences are introduced to new things and get motivated to apply new creative ideas in their own lives. But somehow, Ted’s speeches should not be confused with the so-called ‘motivational speech.’
History of TEDx
The story of Ted’s journey began in 1984, five years before the birth of the World Wide Web. It started as a conference in Monterey, California. It was started by Richard Saul Wurman, an architect, and graphic designer. Wurman wanted Ted to be the “Ultimate Dinner Party” that he would host. In order to implement this ambitious plan, he invited speakers from all over the United States, including Silicon Valley and Hollywood, to the conference.
Speakers at TED conferences these days are usually scripted, and by practicing that script over a long period of time, speakers make themselves ready to present to the audience. But Wurman’s actual TED concept did not have any scripts. He wanted the TED conferences to be an “anti-conference” – there would be no annoying PowerPoint slides or one-hour monotonous lectures. Instead, he wanted talented people to take to the stage and present their ideas to others, to talk about things that fascinated them.
Speakers at the first TED conference in 1984 discussed compact disc production and its operation and an e-book reader. There was also a presentation by Lucasfilms’ three-dimensional graphics design and fractal mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot. But despite the presence of all the well-known speakers, Ted’s first conference was a failure economically.
Come Back from the Failure
Overcoming initial disappointment, Wurman again tried to organize a TED conference in 1990 and set up a TED speech duration of 18 minutes. In addition, instead of making the conference open to all, it was restricted to the best inventors and talents; that is why getting a TED conference ticket that year became a huge honor.
After that, the list of speakers at the TED conference continued to grow, and many more joined it, including scientists, philosophers, musicians, businessmen, religious leaders, and philanthropists. At the same time, people’s interest in attending the TED conference continues to grow, although it was only limited to a few invited people.
How to speak in TEDx Talk?
TED always looks for speakers who have interesting and inspiring stories to tell. They also seek emerging thinkers, scientists, and artists. So, anyone can speak at TED. If you know someone who has an inspiring story, you may fill out the speaker nomination form for that person. Or you may also suggest yourself as a speaker.
TED then evaluates the speaker and the story. If the story is inspiring enough, the speaker will be introduced to the TED community before hitting the mainstream.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend a TED Talk?
If your application for TED Talk Conference is accepted, you will need to pay an admission fee to attend the conference and give a speech. However, the cost depends on the type of membership you have chosen during the application. Usually, the conference cost is $10,000, but it is $5,000 for the first-timers.
Do TED Talk Speakers Get Paid?
At TED, speakers don’t get paid. But they cover travel costs and good hotel accommodation during the conference. Also, they provide a covetable pass for all five days of the conference. Other benefits are that the speakers get pre-conference training, coaching, events for networking, gift bags, and web access to the full conference.
What Makes a Good TED Talk?.
In 2013, Ted Curator Anderson wrote an article in the Harvard Business Review in which he outlined some simple ways to provide an “unforgettable” Ted talk. According to Anderson, Speech should be like a reminiscence of a personal journey or experience. A successful Ted talk has to be as important to the audience as a small ‘miracle,’ and it is powerful enough to change their perspective on a particular subject.
Instead of trying to cover all the topics at once, you need to focus on the specific ones. Besides, eye contact with the audience is very important when giving a speech. Do not walk or move too much while giving a speech. Many speakers walk from one side of the stage to the other to break the fear while speaking. But this makes it difficult for the audience to focus on his words.
Benefits of listening to TED Talk
Ted certainly has a huge impact on the lives or careers of Ted speakers. But Ted’s biggest role, of course, is at the individual level, which may not be possible to describe with statistics. But without a doubt, watching Ted’s videos is changing people’s outlook on life, enriching them with new knowledge, and making it easier for them to discover things in science that they would never have known otherwise.
TED Talk events in Bangladesh
While TED Talk features globally, TEDx Talk works locally, TEDx has different self-organizers worldwide who work in a certain community or region. And TED Talk also has a Bangladeshi chapter, where local organizers independently host sessions. Mohammad Tauheed and Salman Hossain are the organizers of the TED Talk Dhaka. TEDxDhaka has been organizing an annual TED event since 2009 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Final Words
TED Talks are an excellent way to get enlightened about new and interesting topics. The videos are short and engaging, and they cover a wide range of subjects. If you’re looking for a new way to learn, or if you’re just curious about a topic, check out a TED Talk.
Source: United News of Bangladesh