TEDGlobal 2009: The Substance of Things Not Seen

Four years after the first gathering, TEDGlobal returns to Oxford for a now-annual event. Join TEDGlobal this summer for four days of inspired thinking that goes beyond the obvious, delivering vital insight into the hidden forces shaping our future. TEDGlobal 2009: The Substance of Things Not Seen July 21-24, 2009 Oxford, UK Info from the organizers: We're thrilled to announce a landmark event for summer 2009: TEDGlobal -- the twin conference to US-based TED -- will now be held annually in Europe to solidify a community of global thinkers and doers. The TED team is buzzing with anticipation for this event, which rivals anything we've produced to date ... About the program: When we look around us, there are things we can observe: Buildings. People. Nature. And then there are things that run unseen through our lives. These hidden forces -- social conventions, biological links, cultural frameworks, coded meanings, complex processes, creative impulses, scientific speculations, software, networks -- are the connective tissue that binds societies together and the engines that propel organizations forward. When illuminated, they offer vital insights into our relationships with one another and our world. The TEDGlobal program is designed to explore and make visible the substance of things not seen. Some of the questions we'll address: What makes big cities function? What is an accomplished life? Which universe do we live in? Is life a mathematical equation? Where does motivation come from? Who's defining the new geopolitical map? Can robots think? Can we design the air we breathe? What's the economic impact of terrorism? Is modern art relevant? Should we fear faith? What do top-secret places look like? What's the true nature of modern crime? Can a solar-powered plane fly? About the speakers: Confirmed speakers include two of the world's most celebrated writers; a scholar with a radically new idea about development; a mathematician and a neuroscientist who are redefining the way we see the world; a visionary aviator; a Capuchin monk; a former child soldier; a groundbreaking choreographer; a designer who creates out of thin air; a renowned global business guru; one of the biggest names in contemporary art; a photographer of the invisible; plus many other leaders in business, science, technology, entertainment and the arts. About the location: Oxford is a one-of-a-kind environment that for centuries has championed the power of reason, fostered open-minded discussions and forged new directions in the search for understanding. TEDGlobal will be finely woven into the Oxford landscape. Most sessions will take place at the Oxford Playhouse, with special events at the distinctive Sheldonian Theatre, historic Keble College, the Museum of Natural History, and the Malmaison Hotel -- the newly renovated hotel that was once a Victorian prison. Learn more about the location and logistics. About the event: During the 24 hours preceding and following the conference, attendees will be offered a series of visits, discoveries and special programs, including a tour of Bletchley Park (think Alan Turing and the Enigma machine) and punting on the river Cherwell. We'll also hold a half-day TED University, where attendees have the opportunity to give short lectures on their areas of expertise. The registration fee for TEDGlobal 2009 is US$4,500. Please note that seating at the Playhouse is extremely limited. If the number of applications exceeds availability, we will have to make some tough choices on how to allocate the passes, seeking always to make the TED community the best it can be: talented, connected, diverse. Please do take the time to answer the questions fully and accurately. These answers become especially important if the event is oversold. (Read some tips for applying to TED.) Register now