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A new policy of censorship on TEDx, what happened to open conversations?
Rupert Sheldrake and Graham Hancock's talks were both censored after radical atheist Jerry Coyne started a campaign to have these talks removed. Does TED really believe the public needs to be protected from new ideas? Are we not smart enough to make up our own minds?
BTW, TED's claim that the talks remain (in a secret and difficult to access corner of the web) online, so that doesn't "count" as censorship is completely disengenious. Why not have open debates bewteen Sheldrake and Coyne? Shouldn't the discussion be opened up rather than closed down?
Closing Statement from sandy stone
I think the strongest points have been made by the many, many internet bloggers who have spoken out against TED on the issue of censorship. I wish TED would have allowed me to continue posting the links, but they are shutting down this conversation early. Thankfully, the conversation continues elsewhere.
I have to say it surprising how little the TED faithful have to say in defense of TED. Even I don't think TED is all bad. I've enjoyed many of the videos posted over the years. I would suggest that anyone who likes a particular video should download it in case it does get censored at some point.
I'll give the final word to the many bloggers out there who refuse to be silenced:
http://weilerpsiblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/the-psi-wars-come-to-ted/
http://www.realitysandwich.com/how_visionary_too_visionary
http://robinwestenra.blogspot.ca/2013/03/the-science-delusion.html
http://rockandrollphilosopher.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/teds-censorship-of-rupert-sheldrake-and-graham-hancock/
http://dailygrail.com/Fresh-Science/2013/3/TED-Deletes-Talks-Rupert-Sheldrake-and-Graham-Hancock
http://www.disinfo.com/2013/03/graham-hancock-calls-out-teds-blatant-censorship/
http://beforeitsnews.com/awesome-time-wasters/2013/03/ted-talks-no-longer-sharing-graham-hancock-and-rupert-sheldrakes-talks-2447482.html
http://www.change.org/petitions/ted-stop-the-censoring-of-the-graham-hancock-tedx-talks-video
http://www.disinfo.com/2013/03/graham-hancock-refutes-teds-allegations-defends-reputation/
http://monkeywah.typepad.com/paranormalia/2013/03/rupert-sheldrake-at-ted.html
http://consciouslifenews.com/ted-ideas-worth-censoring-ted-conference-censors-graham-hancock-rupert-sheldrake/1151873/
mbermagnoliahill.tumblr.com/post/45362178943/super-fascinating-watching-the-aftermath-today-of
http://celestial-reflections.blogspot.ca/2013/03/teds-war-on-consciousness.html
https://www.facebook.com/Author.GrahamHancock?v=wall&viewas=0
http://www.sheldrake.org/homepage.html
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sandy stone 30+
That's like saying that large corporations can do terrible things, and it's OK because they have money.
TED has become a cult. It censored the videos because outside organizations with aggressive tactics told them to. Not because the videos were bad, or inaccurate, or unscientific... but because TED was bullied into doing so. I'm guessing that TED thought there wouldn't be much of a reaction to this kind of censorship... but TED was mistaken. TED thought the majority opinion was that censorship is OK, but most people like to be given the opportunity to make up their own minds. TED make a tactical error.
If TEDs "brand" is about open discussions, well it needs to live up to that or else people will see it as being disingenuous. But if TED's brand is "group-think and drink the kool-aid", well most people won't take them seriously. I no longer see TED as anything more than a marketing tool which has just lost it's market.
Krisztián Pintér 200+
ted can listen to any 3rd party, and take their advice. so what? it is still their content, and not yours. i asked for your website already, but you seem to refuse to give it to me. you prevent my rightful access to your website, and i find it extremely offensive. do you want to censor me?? i demand that you put my content on your website right now! any more delay is unacceptable!
sandy stone 30+
TED can be a cult. You can join a cult. I don't have a website, but I am allowing you to participate in my conversation here.
Let's face facts, TED is doing damage control, but the damage is too far gone. They've lost all credibility.
Krisztián Pintér 200+
ted can be a cult, and it is its owners decision. got it already? this is their property. this is their site. you are a guest. so you have the right to clean your shoes before entering, and if you don't like here, leave. those gentleman are welcome to put their crap on youtube. it is free to use. it is public. and there is a ton of crap there.
now. i don't remember how these conversations work. can you edit the opening statement? if so, i demand you to change it. please put the text "(crackpot)" after the names of sheldrake and hancock, and delete "radical atheist", because it is irrelevant. if you don't do that, it is censorship, and you should go to jail.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Krisztián Pintér 200+
Fritzie Reisner 100+