Attending TEDx San Jose, CA 2010

Are you someone with an idea who wants to change the world? If you embrace people, passion and possibilities, believe that ideas can change attitudes and that one person can make a difference, you should be attending a TEDx event. They happen all over the world, not just in California.

What is TED?

TED is a small nonprofit devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading." I first heard about the TED conference a couple of years ago and had no idea what it was. Basically TED began bringing people together from three industries: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Since then its scope has become more broad and sounds more intriguing every time I hear people talk about it. The annual conference costs thousands of dollars to attend and guess what? The 2011 conference is already sold out! But if you want to be a part of TED registration is open for TED Women, TED Global 2011 and TED Active. I'm attending TEDx San Jose, CA which may best be described as an independently organized, mini, local version of the annual, original conference. The cost to attend is $100 but here's the thing, you have to apply to purchase a ticket. Yup, you can't just buy one. At first I thought "what the heck?" The more I thought about it the more cool I thought it was that TED qualifies their attendees.

LOL It was with some trepidation that I filled out the application form. Would I be worthy? Turns out yes! I received an invite!

In brief these are the idea thinker uppers who were going to present at TEDxSanJoseCA and still may come March 2011:

Phil Cousineau (Writer and Filmmaker)
Adam Gazzaley, M.D., Ph.D. (Neuroscientist)
Jeff Greason (Rocket Scientist)
Jason Halpern (Product Engineer, Green Entrepreneur)
Dewitt Jones (National Geographic Photographer)
Margo McAuliffe (Founder of Girl's School in Africa)
Keith Raffel(Mystery Writer)
Kim Silverman Ph.D. (Principal Research Scientist at Apple)
Kevin Surace (Entrepreneur of the Year)
Jonathan Trent, Ph.D. (NASA Nanotechnology Scientist)
Karen Trilevsky (People Magazine "Hero Among Us")
Chris Waugh (IDEO "Human-Centered" Designer)



About TEDx (From their website)
x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.