I’m sure most CityBeat readers have at least one friend who has said something like, “Oh, you have to listen to this TEDTalk,” or “This is my favorite TEDTalk.” Now if those phrases leave you questioning who the hell TED is or why he’s so interesting, know that TED is not a human but a collection of humans — smart and innovative humans who represent the acronym (“Technology, Entertainment, Design”). The annual national TED conference brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers in the spirit of sharing “ideas worth spreading.”
The upcoming 2011 conference in Long Beach on “The Rediscovery of Wonder” is already sold out, so it’s lucky that Cincinnati is hosting its own independent TED event, TEDxCincy, at the Aronoff Center on Thursday.
The first TEDx in Cincinnati will feature local and regional experts with extraordinary ideas to share on the theme of “Passion: The Energy Behind Life’s Most Fearless Pursuits.” The program will feature four 75-minute sessions based on sub-topics Mindshift, Innovatation, Imagination and Action. Speakers include Bengal and humanitarian Dhani Johnes (pictured); Carlton Farmer, assistant curator for America I AM: The African American Imprint at Cincinnati Museum Center; and Grant McCracken, author of Culture and Consumption.
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Aronoff Center; the program runs 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission is $55, $35 for students. Go here for event, venue and ticket details.