If you haven’t heard Zoe Weil’s brilliant talk, “The World Becomes What You Teach,” watch it immediately and then come back and read the rest of this. And pass it on– Zoe would like to garner a million hits on this video, and once you have seen it, you will understand why that is such an important goal. Zoe is an incredibly inspiring speaker, and she blew us away with her insights and vision when she visited our podcast a few months ago.
You have probably listened to TED talks before, but if not, make sure you visit the website and indulge yourself by listening to few of their “riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world.” TED is a truly a gift — it provides a platform to innovative, progressive speakers to put their “ideas worth spreading” out into the world, where they can do some good.
But, the real question is, had you heard about TEDx? If not, listen up, because it might just present an amazing opportunity. TEDx is a subsidiary of TED that allows anyone to organize a TEDx presentation in their community and put it up on the web through the auspices of TED. TEDx presentations must follow the TED format: i.e., “A suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances … on a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder — and to provoke conversations that matter.” Each TEDx program must also include a minimum of two pre-recorded talks from TED. Also, the program must be “bias free,” which means no commercial, religious or political agenda, so you might want to leave the rhetoric behind.
If you feel you have something important to say about the future of the world and how to get there (and if you care about animals, you probably have a few thoughts along those lines), along with the ability to present your ideas in a global, positive and thought-provoking way suitable to TED talks, AND the skill to say it with the professionalism and style that you see evidenced in Zoe Weil’s video, this could be the platform you were looking for. Either organizing a TEDx program (concededly a major undertaking) or making the contacts necessary to be invited to speak at one (they are everywhere!) might be well worth the effort.