TEDx events were created to allow the idea of TED conferences to spread independently. But have they uniformly managed to do so? Are they becoming a fad, or are they actually serving a purpose (and if so, what)? This is not so much about those TEDx events that work out great (and there are many of them) but those that don't (eg events that are hastily/shoddily conducted just to hang onto the name/licence, or to raise funds for other, related events). With virtually no quality control from the TED organisation, how is this expected to end up? What can be done to ensure that the TEDx events don't end up being zero-impact fad-events, similar to "pre-announced flash mobs" or "vendor-driven marketing barcamps"?

Having been on the TEDx scene for these 3 years, I agree that most of the current events are losing sheen. I still rate the first couple of events as the most well planned, with a theme, etc., with most of the latter events being putting together a set of speakers that were available and willing.

This is of course with the notable exception of the stellar TEDx Shekhavati which strives to bring about a change at the grassroots level.

I would lay most blame with the college circuits who have now figured they can put up a "free event" rather than have to spend on their speakers and entertainment.

Nakul

To add:

Some of the recent calls I have received have been, "we are doing a TEDx and we would like you to perform there". And what duration? "It's OK. You can perform as long as you want".

Clearly, they are not even concerned about the 18-minute timeframe. Forget other diktats of TED.

N

Hi Atul,

thanks for adding me to the conversation.

I don't think it is TEDx diluting TED but the TED diluting TED.

I feel that the whole TED concept is somewhat ageing. It's been praised, imitated and localized.

It is time to refresh a concept that was born a few years ago.

I guess only time will tell whether they will be able to reinvent themselves or you signalled the beginning of the descent from the tipping point.

I only discovered TEDx about six months ago and I was a bit surprised that the quality of some of the videos I've watched. The TEDx talks are inconsistent at best, which I find odd considering the stellar production values of TED Talks.

(But I find myself agreeing with Julius above; I think maybe TED is diluting itself, moreso than TEDx.)

I also agree that TED is diluting itself for one… in the beginning I remember being excited about new TED videos, they were exceptional, interesting and well worth the watch.

Nowadays people post so many TED videos, which usually still are really good, but just too many. There is an inflation and dilution. Suddenly I can watch one inspiring video every day. That is obvious inflation.

For TEDx, while I think the idea overall is good, I think it clearly dilutes the brand even more as it's TED now everywhere. And indeed the quality of TEDx can vary strongly, which cannot be beneficial to the brand.

The concept itself may be diluted less, but my interest has diminished drastically in the last years.

For a Parisian like me, attending for the 1st time a TEDx in Paris was like attending a TED.
I've read so many thing about TED and I think that the future of TED is maybe in all the TEDx we have all over the world. Just I hope that TEDx will always need to respect the TED's rules about the spirit, the speaker, the duration etc...

Atul, thanks for the invitation, much appreciated.

I've attended two TEDx events here in the UK, both good, but not outstanding. Certainly the latest one I went to was a real mixture of quality and content.

However, being in a city which sadly has very little happening in the way of conferences / events, it was a good day, a nice opportunity to meet people, plus get some inspiration.

I'd certainly agree with most people here about the dilution of the concept.

when an idea grow up, and became bigger, it became fade too, when TED started, it was still fresh, with plenty of notoriety, it was the event where you must absolutely be there.
Also, an idea is worth nothing if it is not shared, and the main engine of TED events are ideas, sharing leads to democratization, and democratization to banalization, but in the end, this is proof that it has succeeded, now there is TED events everywhere all over the world ted.com , I attended those made in Algeria, I was proud to see such a good organization, quality, a good outfit, and much willingness of young people...

Glad to see perspectives from outside the US. I wholeheartedly support global TEDx events; in fact, a slight turn toward global ideas might revitalize TED overall.