TED(x): ideas, corrupting ideas
In a recent post on the Harvard Business Review blog, economist Umair Haque explores the new cult of ideas that stems from the ever-increasing popularity of TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) and other such ideas-based conferences.
Using historical examples as a starting point, Haque discusses the 18-minute approach imposed by these large gatherings, concluding that they only explore a narrow spectrum of ideas, solutions. By leaving aside the whole ambiguous aspect of ideas, conferences such as TED neglect issues that are notably more complex – such that Einstein's Theory of Relativity or Picasso's Guernica – only attempt to touch upon. Our thoughts, our ideas, our theories, are all but set in pre-defined formats, and to attempt to reduce everything to a well-rehearsed keynote presentation amounts to a celebration of intellectual reductionism.
In fact, Haque denounces such "false revelations" as sedatives, disincentives to experience, education and elevation that substantial learning paths truly require. As an analogy with reproductive behaviour, Haque even considers that
"TED is like an Orgasm Machine for the human mind.
It gives us the climax of epiphany,
without the challenge and tension of thought."
In fact, Haque's main objection to this "commiditization of ideas" stems from the discomfort the create when they find themselves face-to-face with complex, "use-less" ideas that require engagement, devotion and involvement beyond a few clics, a few minutes, a few dollars.
The relative popularity of such "edutainment", writes Haque with a certain irony, is that this "epiphany industry" has undoubtedly contributed to spread shortcuts useful in the government of our own lives. But the issues that loom over anyone of us are otherwise much more complex, confrontational and morally ambiguous than the simple, politically correct and enthusiastic – sometimes even naïve and infantilizing – tone that the promoters of such conferences adopt would lead us to believe.
A must read, a must debate, on the Harvard Business Review blog!
[Full article, on blog.hbr.org]