The TEDxSanDiego Experience

TED is a nonprofit devoted to “ideas worth spreading” – amazing talks by remarkable people, free to the world. It started as a conference bringing together people from Technology, Entertainment, and Design and has grown to include the TED Talks video site, annual TED Prize, TED Fellows, TEDx programs, and more.

TEDx programs are designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently (that’s the “x”), on a community-by-community basis.

TEDxSanDiego is a local forum for ideas that inspire people to change their lives and their world. And the experience delivered on this promise. You could write a book on the many amazing moments from this one day. I will share one…

Musicians from all around the US came together to perform at this year’s TEDxSanDiego. They had never met prior to this event. It was the Friday before the big day and full dress rehearsal – lights, sounds, cameras, set design, logistics, make-ups, etc. In the green room (a place for performers before and after a performance, and during the show when they are not engaged onstage), shortly after being introduced to one another, they needed to figure out what they were going to for the opening act. In moments, these creative forces – Zach Dellinger, Ben Sollee, Unknown Lyric, and Parker & The Numberman – worked out a composition then went out on stage and performed it – amazing.

These spontaneous creative collaborations happened all day – back stage, in the green room, on the loading dock. Speakers, artists, scientists, teachers – were sharing their talents to create new and wonderful experiences. This energy was “in the air” at TEDxSanDiego. It spilled over into the auditorium, washed over the audience, and filled the event with creative energy – inspiring people to positively change their lives and our world.