When Ben met Al
Two events in the past two years have changed my life profoundly. Both conferences, both in America, both mind-blowing; PopTech and TED. I've just returned from this year's TED in Monterey, California, where I've had the privilege of spending four days rubbing shoulders with the likes of Al Gore, Burt Rutan, Dr.Larry Brilliant (the chap that eradicated smallpox), Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon.com), Sergey Brin and Larry Page (founders of Google), Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons), Pierre Omidyar (founder of eBay), Tony Robbins (motivational speaker and bestselling writer) and many, many others.
Anyway, a few memories:
Biggest 'D'oh!':
The wonderful Daphne Zuniga (yes, Princess Vespa from Space Balls!) was interviewing people for a TED documentary. On Friday morning she came up to me in the foyer and introduced her friend – I didn't catch her name and I couldn't quite see her name badge, but despite big sunglasses she looked vaguely familiar. I shook her hand and she asked me how I was finding this year's conference. I launched into an effusive speech about how it was so wonderful that the famous (and/or super-rich) people there had so much humility; how TED was a unique forum for conversation about the big issues facing the planet and the human race, yadda yadda. And then the anonymous blonde removed her sunglasses. I was chatting to Meg Ryan.
Most Surprising Speaker:
I was blown away by Sir Ken Robinson, who spoke movingly, passionately and hilariously about the mess that the education systems of the western world are in, and the importance of fostering rather than inhibiting creativity in children. 'All kids have tremendous creative potential, and we are squandering it: schools educate kids out of creativity – the process of having innovative ideas that have value – because mistakes are stigmatized – and if you're not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything original.' Ethan Zuckerman somehow blogged Sir Ken's talk in real time.
Best Poetry:
The incredible 'slam poet' Rives. You can hear his poem 'Mockingbirds' here.
Most Unexpected Bonus:
Driving up the coast to San Francisco after the conference in a Mustang convertible.
Biggest post-TED downer:
Learning that my luggage is still at LAX.
For a more thorough write-up, Ethan Zuckerman, Bruno Giussani, The Lone Ronin and the official TED Blog have it sewn up.
— 28 February 2006 | Filed under Speaking | Comments are currently closed.
Alan M wrote:
Ben,
Did Al[i] G[ore] have anything interesting to say ?
Glad you had a good time(Although that statement probably does not do it justice), if I had known you would meet Meg Ryan I'd have asked you to mention me to her. (LOL, although she would probably deny everything of course)
I sent you a mail reference the Pennine Duathlon Challenge.
Let me know if you didnt get it…
Alan
February 28 2006 · 3:49 pm
Paul (DrainBamaged) wrote:
Alan,
Meg forgot everything about you after she and I started dating. hahahahahaha ;)
~DB
February 28 2006 · 3:55 pm
Ben wrote:
Alan – thanks for the email. Al Gore's talk was one of the highlights of the event – he spoke about climate change and the need for America (and indeed the world) to start taking significant action before it's too late.
A lot of people said that if he'd spoken with that much passion and conviction six years ago, he'd have been president…
February 28 2006 · 6:19 pm
andy K wrote:
Glad to hear Tony Robbins is doing well after Blackadder…or am I getting confused?
Andy
February 28 2006 · 10:03 pm
Ben wrote:
Andy! I thought you might have left for Alaska… Seeing as you're (I assume) still in Blighty, I'll give you a bell soon…
February 28 2006 · 11:31 pm
Rich...! wrote:
Rats, now I'm jealous, so she wasn't a biatch lie she was on Parky then? Whew…!
March 1 2006 · 9:58 am
ladymissmarquise wrote:
Sexy wheels, Ben. Next time you'll have to make the cross country
I5 trek all the way to Vancouver to pop in and say *Hey!*
March 1 2006 · 10:58 am
Neil wrote:
Big Doh indeed on the Meg Ryan front. Ho Hum!
March 2 2006 · 2:02 pm
Alan M wrote:
Ben, I think I meant to ask, did he have anythig interesting to say, when he was speaking to you in the photograph.
Paul, Glad to hear thatsomeone reads my drivel…. Thanx ;)
Alan
March 3 2006 · 8:53 am
Wil wrote:
Ben, you must check out boingboing.net? That water vapor video was great. And nice shot of you with the almost pres. For the record, I voted for him :)
BTW, you've lost weight?
And about the educational systems – hats off to Sir Ken. Spot on for sure.
March 8 2006 · 3:38 am
Ben wrote:
Eagle eyes there, Wil – I have indeed lost a few pounds… I'm in skinny racer mode at the moment – 77.5kg this morning, which is 12.5kg or 27.5lbs lighter than when I set off (fattened-up!) for the North Pole in March 2004!! The adaptability of the human body never ceases to amaze me.
I'll stay 'skinny' until the London Marathon next month, and then increase the weight training/eating a bit (gotta look buff for the summer ;) ) before piling on the lbs for Antarctica in October (probably back up to nearly 90kg/198lbs again)…
March 8 2006 · 11:50 pm
Paul wrote:
Ben,
Because of the muscle atrophy I actually went from a chunky but muscular (powerlifter) 250lbs down to under 160lbs when all of this started almost 3 1/2 years ago. I actually got back up around 200lbs even with being in the wheelchair,… well with a higher body fat index than I wanted. The doctor kept harping for me to lose 20 and stay around 180lbs.
With the chemo I actually dropped to around 170lbs and then with the end of that nearing and my body getting used to it's affects I'm up over 200lbs again.
I'll be happy to loan you 20 or so pounds for your trip in October. It would save me the hassle of losing some. And save you the hassle of looking for some. All in all a win-win situation. hehehehe
~DB
March 9 2006 · 5:34 am
Gnorb.NET » Blog Archive » TED Talks: Technology, Entertainment, and Design wrote:
[...] A few months ago, while reading one of my favorite blogs (BenSaunders.com), I saw a couple of posts (post 1, post 2) on something called the "TED" conference. "TED conference?" I thought. "Like the United Airways low-cost air line? You know, I used to work with a guy named Ted…" [...]
June 28 2006 · 5:48 pm