TED and HuffPost are planning an exciting experiment in the weeks ahead. We want to highlight some of today's most intriguing ideas. But to do so in a way that sees those ideas morph and develop in real time, in response to input from thousands of contributors, perhaps including you.
Because that's the thing about ideas. They're not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, each of whom may bring an additional insight, they're capable of adaptation until they find their most potent form. A form that can truly go viral and perhaps impact millions of minds. As Thomas Edison -- who, unfortunately, never gave a TEDTalk -- put it, "To have a great idea, have a lot of them."
Here's our plan. Every weekend for the next year, we'll introduce a theme, anchored to a TEDTalk we think has at its core a powerful and timely concept. But rather than simply offering it up as is, we're opening it up to you to write your own post about it, leave a comment behind, and help refine it, asking questions like:
- How is this relevant now?
- What are its real world implications?
- How might this idea be used to shape the future?
- What are the main criticisms that could be leveled at it?
- How can it be improved?
- How can it be spread?
TEDTalks are famously limited to 18 minutes, but the essence of TEDWeekends is that when the TEDTalk ends, the evolution of the idea begins. So along with the TEDTalk you'll see blog posts written by others giving their own take. We're also inviting graphic artists to illustrate the essence of an idea visually. Meanwhile, the speaker behind the talk will be online chipping in to the conversation. (We've recently seen some great examples of this on TED.com, like this one.)
TED is known for sharing great ideas in talk form. The Huffington Post is famous for amazing perspectives generated by its passionate audience. Together therefore, there's a unique opportunity to do something significant: take a great idea, and use the power of the crowd to make it greater still. We'd love you to be part of this.
Brian Goldman, M.D. kicks off TEDWeekends with his talk "Doctor's Make Mistakes... Can we talk about that?" His key idea -- that talking openly about medical mistakes may be an important step toward healing a broken healthcare system -- is especially pertinent theme in these last few days before the election. We hope you'll introduce your ideas into the conversation, which will include doctors Dean Ornish, David Katz and Patricia Fitzgerald -- and many more -- as well as members of our community weighing in with their expertise or personal experience.
So check out TEDWeekends, where we'll also be co-premiering with TED several talks for the very first time. Follow us on Twitter using the hashtag #TEDWeekends, and email tedweekends@huffingtonpost.com if you would like to contribute a blog post for future TEDWeekends. As always, use the comments section to let us know what you think. And we want to say a special thank you to Chevy Volt for sponsoring TEDWeekends, and helping us amplify ideas.
P.S. If you'd like a quick primer on how ideas germinate and morph, here's a wonderful talk by Steven Johnson.
Add your voice to the conversation on Twitter: twitter.com/ariannahuff
Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TEDWeekends will highlight some of today’s most intriguing ideas and allow them to develop in real time through your voice! Arianna Huffington and Chris Anderson invite your participation.
Want to write for TEDWeekends? Learn about future weekend's ideas and contribute as a blogger to TEDWeekends by clicking HERE.
Tweet #TEDWeekends and share your perspective.
Mr. Asimov gave this "Group-think" or mob psychology allot of thought in the late 60's. Please don't misunderstand, I don't mean that we would sing anything, just blatantly rip off the good idea Mr. Whitacre had and use it for something cool. Like maybe save the world or something we could all do together like share water.
Hope this arena tries to stay relevant to as it takes off.
I've got a wide variety of experiences in the Medical field as a professional and Board member of a now closed hospital - witnessing firsthand the frustrations of medical staff as well as the fears of litigation, the serious issues of reimbursement, lack of, the impairment of all levels of staff with pill addictions, the impact of untreated mental illness, the extremely expensive diagnostic equipment that becomes outdated, lack of financing because of poor collections, patients that don't think healthcare should cost anything, patients who don't comply with minimal instructions,can't afford to comply, resistance of entire system to change, fear of losing face, finances and territory.
It is a very complex system - the more we cross over into others arenas and understand their views we might accomplish positive change. Right now, those with the most money spent in lobbying and policy win. Those at the bottom but seeing the most - don't have a forum to be heard where the decision makers hear them - or they don't understand how to use the system to make it happen.
We need change but it won't start until we work together not spend all our time fighting for our own agendas, titles, salaries, or fiefdoms.
One - Tax breaks for the wealthy improve economies.
Two - Tariffs are harmful to economies.
Professional journals of every kind and "official" spokesmen may very well be stodgy and too caring of protecting themselves. We do some reform of those structures, and possibly alternatives.
Professional organizations at least have some standard of value for professional opinion. There is no indication here of any guide, of any sifting or distinction toward the pursuit of useful opinion. Granted, many tons of slurry may well produce a few gold nuggets, but mass marketers note that far more likely, lots of thoughtless opinion however well-intended, tends to bury more thoughtful comment.
It is just too easy to dash off an opinion on the internet. Unless a new vehicle demands more effort and thought of all of us before we are published, then there will be no better alternative as result.