At the inaugural TEDxBoston on July 28, 2009, the audience was inspired by revolutionary ideas that are shaping the future of industries as diverse as education, energy, and elder care. In over a dozen talks, thought leaders shared provocative demos of prototypes that will change the way we commute, care for those in need, clean the air, diagnose diseases in developing countries at low cost, turn soil into a source of power, and remind patients when to take their meds via internet-enabled pill caps. We also learned how reverse-mentorship and ArtScience culture labs are engaging the next generation of innovators who are reinventing how we work, eat, and have fun.
Other highlights included original songs performed by a teenage composer and a jazz saxophone duet performed by a student and his professor. The New England Conservatory described how El Sistema USA is taking a foothold in America with a new fellows program that translates the wish of Dr. Jose Abreau, winner of the 2009 TED Prize, into reality.
In a captivating finale, Benjamin Zander conducted the Youth Orchestra of the Americas in a high-energy rendition of Beethoven performed by 75 young gifted musicians from 23 different countries who inspired us all. Local fare provided by ourgenerous donors kept the conversation flowing and the ideas spreading throughout the evening.
The TEDxBoston team is deeply grateful to the speakers, staff, attendees, and food/beverage providers for creating an extraordinary event . . . and we’re already looking forward to producing the next one. In the meantime:
How a philosophy and a practice of fusing art, science, experiential learning, and social impact are catalyzing innovation in today’s students by igniting their curiosity and giving them the freedom to pursue their creative inventions.
How a fleet of sharable, collapsible, rechargeable CityCars, GreenWheel bicycles, and RoboScooters can transform transportation in our most congested cities by operating within an intelligent, wireless grid that understands when, where, and how we want to travel.
Arts education teaches unique skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Fidelity FutureStage helps students build their self-confidence, unleash their passions, and realize their potential. Hear how one young gifted composer expresses himself through song.
Warehousing the aging Woodstock generation in today’s elder care institutions simply won't do. The Elder Experience Lab reveals insights into how seniors prefer to interact with caregivers, utilize private and shared spaces, care for body and mind, and ultimately, what they think the nursing home of the future can (and should) look like.
An exploration of Boston's vibrant culture of innovation in jazz theory, improvisation, and composition -- both past and present -- and local conservatories that honor the classics while unlocking the creativity in jazz’s next generation of rising stars.
How the complex science of micro-fluidics combined with the simple process of ink jet printing can easily detect early signs of diseases and dramatically change the way health care is delivered to millions of underserved people around the world.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, The Alzheimer's Project shows there is now genuine reason to be optimistic about the future. This HBO multi-platform series takes a close look at groundbreaking discoveries made by the country’s leading scientists, as well as the effects of this debilitating and fatal disease both on patients and on their families.
The vision of Dr. José Abreu, winner of the 2009 TED Prize, changed the life trajectory of hundreds of thousands of a nation’s youth while transforming the communities in which they live. How TED and the New England Conservatory are leading the adoption of his revolutionary concept in the United States and around the globe.
Benjamin Zander conducting the Youth Orchestra of the Americas
How bringing together young, energetic musicians in the pursuit of excellence and the celebration of cultural diversity can serve as a powerful model for creating unity and catalyzing social change.
How to catalyze a renaissance generation among Boston’s public high school students by helping them develop the intellectual tools for cross-disciplinary learning and creative thought.
MuseTrek transforms how we’ll explore museums, cities, and cultural resources around the world. It is a collection of ever expanding 'Treks' created by anyone from renowned artists to the person next to you . . . all available on the web and your own iPhone or iPod Touch.
What happens when a group of people rally around a radical idea and set in motion unlimited possibilities for a brighter future? A Revolution.
More than 230 years ago, ordinary citizens in Boston dreamed of a democracy and launched a revolution that changed the course of human history. That innovative spirit still thrives in our local students, educators, scientists, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs. At TEDx Boston, we celebrate their ideas and their passion for improving the way citizens of the world learn, live, give, work, and play.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxBoston, where x=independently organized TED event. At TEDxBoston, TEDTalks videos and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in our community.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
David Edwards
Ryan Chin
Chris Middleton
Melissa Withers
Philippe Crettien, Casey Berman
George M. Whitesides
John Hoffman
Mark Churchill
Benjamin Zander conducting the Youth Orchestra of the Americas
Alexa Scordato
Carrie Fitzsimmons
Tom Hadfield
Bill Jacobson
Joshua Wachman
