TEDxYYC = Greatness Abounds in Calgary

TED^XYYC

If you're familiar with TED.com, then you have probably already rejoiced -- shouted from the rooftops several times over about the news that Calgary is hosting its own independent TED event.  

The TED mission is to spread ideas.  So we now have this amazing chance as Calgarians to step up to the mic and show the world just how progressive, creative and thoughtful we really are.  

One could spend days - weeks - watching the 450+ videos collected from the various TED talks that have been hosted around the world over the past two decades.  If you're not familiar with these videos, please treat yourself to an evening viewing (at LEAST an evening).  You can watch Malcolm Gladwell talk about spaghetti sauce, Johnny Lee show off his ingenious Wii "hacks", Pranav Mistry on the idea of a sixth sense, Eva Vertes on the future of medicine, Richard St. John sharing his 8 secrets of success and, well, hundreds more mind-bending, informative lectures.  

TED^xYYC is slated to run in Calgary on February 26th, 2010.  Event organizers are now looking for input on who, from our city, should be on that lecture roster.  Calgary is indeed a place rich with innovative thought, creative spirit and we arguably have enough drive and determination in just the centre city alone to fuel an entire continent.   

So let's get a dialogue going.  Who do you want to hear from at this year's TED^xYYC?  We want you to share your ideas and nominations for environmental warriors, musical geniuses, energy trailblazers, animal ambassadors, creative masterminds, technology gurus, medical marvels and physical heroes (did I leave anyone out? if so, let's hear about it from you!).  The goal of TED^xYYC is to bring together the youthful minds of Calgary - to hear from those who will be our leaders - people who will be instrumental in building a future Calgary.  Remember, if you know just the right person to nominate, please also submit your idea to the TED^xYYC website.

Pssst....I can hear you still scratching your head about that spaghetti sauce lecture...so here it is just to get you in the mood.

For more TED^xYYC information, follow the organizers on Twitter and you can find them on Facebook here.