TED Global - Stop. Look. Go.

This week I have attended the TED Global conference in Edinburgh. The best way to describe the conference is through it's initial vision – a ‘dinner party’ or gathering of inspiring people sharing topical ideas and addressing relevant global issues or trends.  Richard Saul Wurman started the event in Monterey in 1984 bringing together like-minds to participate in interesting conversation. Originally encompassing ideas around Technology, Entertainment and Design (hence the name TED) the conference also now encourages other topics - namely politics and business. In 2002 media entreprenuer and current owner Chris Anderson bought the TED brand via his non-profit organisation and began distributing the content free via the internet. The slogan 'ideas worth spreading' was born and is the now underlying philosophy of the conference and culture.

The TED Global conference has been held in Edinburgh for the last few years after originating in Oxford and short spell in Africa. For a city known for its history and medical innovation it was the perfect destination to gather some forward-thinking minds.  I was looking for inspiration and ideas along with meeting people from diverse eclectic backgrounds.  Also a good excuse to visit Edinburgh on the fringe of summer! After filling out a quite comprehenseive application process I was accepted to attend, so booked my tickets for Scotland and with no expectations I threw myself head first into this cauldron of debate of disruptive ideas and discussion.

I arrived at the Edinburgh Conference Center to be met by the friendly event staff, many from Vancouver where the TED head office is based. Although many of the 700 attendees were staying at the Sheraton I had booked into a local apartment through Airbnb, although I didn't spend much time there except to sleep! A warm up cocktail events was planned at the National Museum. It was here I met a number of speakers, including Charlie Robertson who is the leading thinking on macro investment in Africa, a continent fast on its way to be the new frontier of tech start ups. But more on that later. I also met up with fellow kiwi Elliott Blade. Elliot organizes the Auckland TEDx event and was to be my wing man for the week.

The first day kicked off with TED University which was the opportunity for conference attendees to speak on topics they felt strongly about. A soapbox if you like for passionate thinkers who support the TED ethsos. When the conference began we were welcomed by infamous Greek PM George Papandreou who spoke about the spirit of democracy and encouraged all to join the global voice on issues or risk being left out.  Other opening talks also included benefits of taking sleep seriously and then power of asking questions to ensure topical issues continue to be bought to the fore.

A whole session was dedicated to ‘those flying machines’- namely drones. Sci-fi author David Suarez spoke about the ethics of drone warfare and danger of machines making decisions on who should live or die in combat. An interactive session showed quadrocoptic drones working to algorithms to complete specific tasks at the request of hand gestures. We heard about the use of airborne robots for digital mapping and observing animal behaviour in a game parks, along analysing forest deforestation in the Amazon. And a futuristic vision for airborne delivery of healthcare supplies to remote villages in Africa. By the end of the session it wasn’t hard to imagine a world in whereby drones would complete day to day tasks in our cities, like delivering pizzas or building houses, all at the direction of specific GPS algorhythms.

A further welcoming dinner was held which was a great chance to meet some of the fellow delegates.  Here a crude game of speed networking took place as the room buzzed with introductions and conversation.  It was great to meet 2 young Harvard MPP/MBA grads Jake and Matt who have set up CrossBorders - a company focused on investment in third world such as Afganistan and Sudan.  By the end of the week we were great mates. Another young guy was Dan who was Australia’s youth representative at the UN.  There was the wealthy Oxford donor who helps fund the TED Foundation. A dashing fund manager from New York. A manager of Miami-based philanthropist Knight Foundation. Ex-pat kiwi musician Natasha Beddingfield. The networking continued at the hotel bar over a few whiskeys but I left at a reasonable hour with intentions to get the most out of the week.

As the conference went on the conversation seemed to heat up. A memorable moment was from author Lesley Hazeldine who discussed an excerpt from her book 'The First Muslim'.  A courageous and powerful speech from a female agnostic Jew's perspective about the presence of 'doubt' in religion, completely undermining the plight of fanatical Muslim extremists. Many were saying her talk was the highlight of the week. I was certainly memorised by her dulcut tones and eloquant depictions of why real faith needs a sense of doubt. A standing ovation soon ensued.

An engaging talk by Eric Li a Professor from UC Berkley on the Chinese government and how it more efficient system of government over democracy despite continued ridicule from the West. That the Chinese Communist Party run a regime that is adaptable, competent and is on track to leading China as the world's largest economy while containing corruption and poverty along the way. 

This was followed by a discussion from Political theorist Benjamin Barber about Mayors being the respected leaders of the powerful ‘urban animals’, commonly known as cities. Mayors are pragmatic, problem solvers and respected by the people they govern due to emersed in the very world they govern being he argued. Imagine the world run by a parliament of Mayors rather than Heads of State? Why do we follow leaders that consistently have the support less than 50% approval rating? One idea that resonated with me.

During the breaks the Conference Center was a hive of activity. Healthy lunch and snacks were provided along with fresh coffee. Bean bags were set out in adjoining rooms and all the talks broadcast live on TV's for those who wanted a break from the theatre. It was here you could easily mix and mingle or even snooze if you so choose. I met Steve Gottleib who was an ex-music mogul from New York, having discovered Nine Inch Nails.  Also Juliana Rotich a TED fellow from Uganda. There were 20 TED fellows annually who are flown in from around the world to be part in the discussion.

Elliott and I took front row seats for the session Forces of Change. This was curated by TED fellow Erik Hersman who was leading the charge of Nairobi billion dollar tech industry, now known as the 'Silicon Savannah'.  We learnt that the East-African hub is about 5 years away from the infrastructure to sustain itself and has the scalability or millions as high speed broadband, VC and access to hardware all align on the new frontier. Toby Shapshak a reknown tech editor spoke about the innovation in the South African community. Not unlike NZ, many cutting edge innovation is born to not on but ‘over’ the edge. The difference between our countries is the scale of the market from South Africa north is enormous. This session lit a fire on Africa I my consciousness that has continued to burn long after the conference.

The most moving discussion of the week revolved around a young North Korean refeugee Joseph Kim. He spoke courageously about the starvation and poverty in his home country, which saw his father waste away before his eyes. His sister and mother left him at aged 13 to food never to return.  He spent the next years working in a mine before escaping via China to the USA.  He gave an emotional shout out to his sister and  mother in the hope that they will one day see them. He left us with a honest of statement of how hope can help you survive even the darkest experiences and he received a standing ovation as many of the crowd wiped away their tears.

It wasn’t all heavy hitting global and political discussion. There were lots of lighter moments and each session had some form of entertainment. Natasha Beddingfield and Jamie Cullum performed live. Illusionist and pick pocketer Apollo Robbins showed how the mind plays tricks and how to remove a watch.  A classically trained guitarist and pianist performed.  Also some unique medical advances such as a small sandpaper like medical device that will replace syrynges. Or recording and analysing the sounds of nature.  Animal sex even!

http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/12/22/ballistic-penises-and-corkscrew-vaginas-the-sexual-battles/

The closing party was a chance for speakers and delegates alike to mingled while a Brazilian band provided the soundtrack, warming the crowd up for next years Global conference in Rio. I caught up with Holly Morris, a travel presenter who had spoken about her time in Chernobyl and the unique story of the elderly ladies who still live in the danger zone, refusing to spend the rest of their days away from their spiritual homes. Also other TEDx organisers from Montreal to Melbourne. 

The final day was a heavy weight line up with reknown Havard business Professor Michael Porter speaking about the responsibilities and ethics of business. This was countered by a Harvard Philosopher Michael Sandel saying the market needs to be kept in their places and discussed user pays systems. A heavy debate with respected scholars followed.

A final talk was given about happiness by a monk David Steindl-Rast. His message was it is gratefulness that makes you happy. He negated the saying 'that opportunity knocks only once' highlighting that in fact every moment is another opportunity. He left us with the token to 'Stop, Look and Go'. Build stop signs into your life to be able to take a moment to stand back from your busy lives. Open your eyes, nose, ears and look around at the enjoyable life you are experiencing! Then continue, remembering to seek the opportunity to makes others happy as you strive to live your dreams.

It was a fitting end to a memorable week. A social picnic rounded off the week before a group of delegates took to their bikes to explore the city, scaling the mighty Arthurs Seat for stunning views and exploring Craigwarren Castle - the former home of Mary the Queen of Scots.  It was great to get outside and continue meeting people, including a doctor from Omaha, a IP specialist from Portland and a sailor from Norway.

In all my first TED Conference was an amazing and inspiring experience. My head is still blown - full of information, stories, perspectives and theories - all of which a week prior I had no understanding or appreciation for.  The people I met were so friendly, so diverse and so inspiring and motivated to make a change and a difference.  Many were just to be updated with information. As someone said it was her holiday that he later self would thank her for. One lady said she had a number of 'brain crushes' on the speakers. An interesting analogy.

Me - I'm just glad I took a chance and threw myself into a new community, one I will be sure to exist in. I learnt a lot about a number of new subjects and have been left inspired long after those last drams of whiskey. Made some great new mates as well I will keep in touch with. My inbox is now full of invitations to attend events in India and Mexico, and offers of places to stay in Portland, Lisbon and New York City. 

And a stack of ideas to begin to spread.

But before then I will be sure to Stop. Look. And Go.