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TED Talk, 2006
So, yeah. My talk from TED 2006 is now up on the TED site. (There's a higher-res downloadable MP4 version, as well.) The subject matter is ostensibly Worldchanging, but I use the platform to talk about the environmental participatory panopticon concept, too.
It's an interesting historical artifact. It was the first big presentation I'd ever given, and I had to give it in front of a thousand people, including some fairly high-profile folks. I was incredibly nervous, and it shows (I really needed to stop leaning on the little podium, and would somebody please give me a glass of water!). Moreover, I read the talk, rather than just speak extemporaneously, in part because the time limit was drilled into my head, but mostly because I didn't have the confidence that I'd be able to carry off the presentation without a script. I don't do that any more.
As exciting as it was to have a chance to speak at TED, I almost feel sad about it now. Not because it was a thrown-into-the-deep-end introduction to giving big talks to big audiences -- on balance, given the situation, I did okay -- but TED generally only has a given speaker show up once. From what I'm told, I give much more engaged, engaging, presentations these days, and I have a lot more interesting things to say -- it's just too bad I won't have a chance to do so on the TED stage.
Comments
Thanks for pointing out your flaws. You know, I probably would not have noticed them if you didn't say anything.
Still, a great talk!
Hope all is well.
Posted by: Michael P. Gusek | January 21, 2009 3:12 PM
Jamais, you were interesting! I mean it! I've watched your TED presentation and immediately retwitted it + followed you on Twitter :)
Please keep up the good work and talk to Chris Anderson about the 2nd try :) As you know, any exception is only proving the rule :)
Thank you to you for spreading the ideas! I found them really interesting!
Posted by: Bayram | January 21, 2009 3:28 PM
I watched your TED talk and went to worldchanging.com and was inspired. Great initiatives!
I've subscribed to the worldchanging newsletter, open the future facebook blog network, and twitter. Worldchanging is a really great resource.
Keep up the good work and don't worry about your TED presentation as I thought it was good! It did exactly what you probably intended it to do - it got me passionate and inspired to be part of the change to a better world :)
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | January 22, 2009 6:13 AM
Jamais, you're crazy--you did just fine! Quit beating yourself up. Honestly, it was a GOOD presentation. You were engaging, and the ideas you shared were worth everyone's time and attention (including my own).
Posted by: Gary K. | January 22, 2009 7:14 AM
Thanks, folks. I wasn't fishing for compliments -- really! -- but I do appreciate the good words.
I'd give a more animated talk today, that's for sure.
Posted by: Jamais Cascio
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January 23, 2009 10:32 AM
James, you did just fine.
I gave a short TEDTalk last week - it was simulcast from Palm Springs to Long Beach. Topic was our intelligent power outlets that save energy and save lives (www.2d2c.com). I hope you saw it. Same deal - biggest talk of my life, I was nervous, had notes, and flubbed some stats at the beginning. But when I asked people about my fumble, nobody remembered. At TED, you're among supportive peers. Thanks for all that you do for this planet and its people.
Posted by: John L | February 15, 2009 11:12 AM