Look who’s talking! Its TED

TED’s back! It’s free and it’s interesting. TED Talks is coming back for another season. Presented by LifeLong Learning, we will again be sharing two hours of TED Talks monthly beginning Thursday, November 3 through April 6. Talks are held in the Palm Room at Eagle’s Nest and start at 2:00 p.m. “We’re excited to add more dates to the schedule because of the popularity of the talks last season,” said TED facilitator Shannon Tyree, adding, “LifeLong Learning has done an excellent job of providing a variety of educational interests for its residents and TED Talks is just another example of that. I hope people will come and join us.”

TED Talks, for the unfamiliar, are short talks, less than 18 minutes, on almost any topic possible. The acronym TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design and since 1984 when the first TED conference was held, more than 2,200 talks have been presented. “LifeLong Learning uses the videos to generate thoughtful, intellectual conversation on a wide variety of topics,” said Phyllis Minsuk, LifeLong Learning co-chair. “Topics are selected by a committee who screens the talks in hopes of inspiring the viewers, leading to meaningful and interesting conversations,” she added.

What can you expect? When you come to TED Talks, you’ll watch a talk and will discuss what you’ve just seen in a small group of eight people. We do this a couple of times on totally diverse topics.

What are your fellow Creekers saying about TED Talks? “I never knew something like this was available.” and “It has me thinking about things I never knew existed or thinking in a new way.” One resident said that she likes not knowing what talks will be presented because in her words, “I enjoy the surprise and listening to everyone at my table’s varying comments.”

Sign up is easy and necessary. Visit the LifeLong Learning website, under the Special Programs tab you’ll find TED Talks. Remember to sign up for each date individually. Registration is limited to 32 people.

For a sampling of the variety of talks previously viewed and discussed, links to last season’s talks have been provided. TED”s mission is “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Help us spread the word about TED Talks!