The Power of Perspective: TEDxUCDavis

By now, many people are familiar with TED, or Technology, Entertainment and Design, the popular speakers’ forum that uses online channels to broadcast talks presented to live audiences.

The concept behind TED is “ideas worth spreading,” and there is no shortage of great ideas emerging from UC Davis. Recognizing that, two years ago, student Cory Warshaw (’13) organized the first TEDx event here. TEDx Events, which are independently organized TED-like events, stimulate discussion at the local level and offer an opportunity through TED’s online brand to share the presentations.

This year’s TEDxUCDavis, which occurred in May, featured 11 presentations based on the theme, “The Power of Perspective.” The presenters included UC Davis faculty and alumni, two dancers, the head of the UC Davis Health System, and other inspiring individuals from the area and across the country. 

What resulted are videos worth spreading. The most popular online talks are by Professor Andreas Albrecht on theoretical cosmology and by scientist Clifford Saron on the physiological effects of meditation. There is also a discussion on demotivation by E.L. Kersten, co-founder of the cultural phenomenon Despair Inc.

Learn more about the conference and check out the videos. TEDxUCDavis 2013 is coming this spring. For updates, like the Facebook page and follow on Twitter @TEDxUCDavis

Artist and UC Davis alumna Donna Billick ’73, MFA ’76, speaks at TEDxUCDavis about Art Science Fusion, the “new paradigm of learning” instructional program that she co-leads and co-founded. Martin Wong/UC Davis photo