Is TED Becoming Part Of The Problem?

Across the street from the 2008 TED conference is BIL – a competing conference with some very interesting values. In a thought piece by Grant McCracken asks whether the super-exlusive TED has become part of the problem that its trying to solve and that BIL could be the antidote:

BIL stands for Beauty. Ingenious. Learning. It is described as an open self organizing, emergent,and anarchic science and technology conference. Nobody is in charge. If you want to come, just show up. If you have an idea to spread, start talking. If someone is saying something interesting, stop and listen.

… the implication is that TED is part of the problem it means to solve. TED is top down, centralized, hierarchical, elite driven, celebrity centered, and, at $6000 a ticket, really expensive.

What do you think? Possibly one of the big issues PSFK has with TED  is relevancy. There are some wonderful minds at TED but in past events there have been so few emerging talents that really excite us day in, day out. Of course, we can’t wait to see if 2008 offers…

BIL
TED
Grant McCracken