This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Does the TED Cred model perpetuate a breakdown in dialogue?
Perhaps I am wrong in my understanding, but the current model for assigning credits seems to value starting interesting conversations more than it does offering insightful contributions to conversations already in play.
In trying to understand the role TED can play in working toward solutions, this model seems to value each of us throwing out a constant stream of new ideas of our own rather than actually listening to and learning from the interaction of other people's ideas?
Doesn't modern society already have too many people talking and not enough people listening?
Debra Smith 200+
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Comment deleted
Debra Smith 200+
I have noticed some questions that I thought were excellent but had no real contribution to make on the topic. I was hoping to learn and was disappointed when no one respondd. Thus the question cannot be judged solely by responses. Sometimes, though it is the wayt hat it is phrased that make the questions or concepts unapproachable.
I love to give thumbs up when I am not an active participant but simply a learner. When a point seems particularly cogent or insightful, I do not want to take the attention off of the participants but I do want to call attention to the point.
I write to others when I need to encourage, clarify or share an observation out of the main stream conversation and I love having that option. I see the space here at TED conversations as a smorgasborg of ideas and people. Some topics are deep, and inquiring while others provide an outlet for the human spirit in art or curiousity. I love most of it.
As the space in cyberspace feels unlimited to me, I simply skip what I am not interested in or what I cannot engage with. It works fine for me. In it all I find a vibrant humaness that delights, educates and makes me smile. (I am amazed at how often I laugh out loud or smile broadly).
As my eldest son is fond of saying we are just colourful monkies finding our way in a complex universe!
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Erik Richardson 500+
As for posting questions just to get TC points, or as a sort of game, I didn't see where anyone was suggesting anything like that. However, my brain is not sufficiently caffeinated yet, so I may have missed it.
:-D
Debra Smith 200+
I don't perceive TED cred to have much to do with types of conversations or topics but I did share that I do not understand or pay much attention to the system except that I look at the cred others have earned to wonder what their interests are. For me, I like the idea of acknowledging the people who have organized conferences, translated or added great information and insight to the debates. It makes me smile to notice that people love what they are doing and doing it well.
I am very laissez faire about topics and conversations. I did not suggest that posting topics had any ulterior motive. As a really curious person, I just love the way some conversations turn into 'mindmaps' rather than linear lock step pursuit of a single train of thought. It kind of reminds me of brain neurons- if I were to illustrate it- long strings with sudden active spiky nodes of thought. With a little patience we can often see that a thought that did not immediately appear to be relevant blossoms into something profoundly enlightening to the topic. I am enriched when people have the space to 'think out loud' - and its not as though we are running out of 'paper' here. The site reflects a democratic process- topics that interest people are commented upon and spark debate or discussion and those which don't are very quiet. Democracy at its best- I think. In fact, when I just don't get it, I hope everyone is having fun and I move on to something more interesting to me.
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Finally, just to add to what Debra has shared about her practices here at TED Conversation, I try to focus my engaement on conversations that arise from TED Talks and also those that TED has chosen to feature. That too is guidance on why we are here and what is sought.
Brandt DeLany
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Ed Schulte 50+
there will be a talk arriving to-day at TED to-day which could add to this topic ....but Linsey ...for now ..If "wrong" then perhaps it exactly what is required to procede to a productive 'righting'??
"Nicholas Christakis speaks at TED on his studies of social networks and how things spread amongst these networks"
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Ed Schulte 50+
I haven't seen this one yet ..I was informed of it by someone else as an example for the web social "systems" becoming a subject of and for Itself ....an evolving entity in itself so to speak.
this is the link ...the working example is "people with obesity connecting" ...if not I set aside time on saturday morning to review will catch it then..
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Business/Networking/Nicholas-Christakis-The-Hidden-Influence-of-Social-Networks/40731?utm_source=FROTD&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Free%2BResource%20of%20the%20Day
back to edit ...the is a "Learn out Loud" offer of a TED , FEB 2010 program ...
Debra Smith 200+
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Erik Richardson 500+
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+
Krisztián Pintér 200+
Erik Richardson 500+
Krisztián Pintér 200+
Erik Richardson 500+
TED 10+
flag tool is not for marking great comments but for sending notification to moderators about spam, inappropriate comments violating TED.com Terms of Use :)
If people like your comments and conversations they'll give you thumbs up and you should be able to see that.
You can learn more about TEDCred here: http://www.ted.com/pages/conversations_tedcred
Thank You.
Erik Richardson 500+
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
The TEDcred is weird I'll give you.
However to see your thumbs up, sign out and look at the thread lol, these are public conversations.
Also, usually the threads and conversations that are most popular are where people are thinking at usually. Religion, evolution, politics, war, and everything in relation to those are constantly being recreated as conversations.
While you post great questions, remember people do not always know exactly what you are talking about. Post links, break it down simply, and overall try to simplify ideas.
I read two marketing books of the psychology involving entertainment and information. People want the facts as quickly as possible, they do not want to have to think what you mean to often and too much, and/or too many words are just unattractive. (That answer was short and sweet thumbs up! I know exactly what he means! Man, a full 2000 characters... pass..) [speculation]
The reason TED is so amazing and attracting so many is because of the simplicity that is practiced in the videos. These guys only have minutes to dictate worlds of thought that cause hundreds of comments of debate, ideas, and questions.
You are also questioning a few people that use the conversations, many many more people just comment on videos and post ideas, questions, and debates there. If anything TED needs to better dictate the conversation board they created, because anyone on it will tell you they gained a lot of useful information.
Indeed the practice should be input as much as you output, which is why I try not to post a conversation a day even though I want to do so. I am proud my 3 or 4 conversations were as successful as they were/are. But, as an Admin suggested, must work with other conversations as well so others feel they are actually contributing to the community and not just a few sentences of text on a screen.
Side-note:Everyone put info. on the their profile, when you have a good statement it helps me to know how you came to it
Ed Schulte 50+
I still refer back to the TED intro where it says "understanding of the world”. (the full sentence is below ....) and after two months of observations the briefest of brief conclusions is that it the input gathering on the threads can be disected by whoever wants to for whatever they want to.
As far as your "the role TED can play in working toward solutions, "
I don't think that "understanding of the world" has a "finding solutions" scope to it any more then ...lets say "promoting Chaos". Not trying to be funny here ..but again ..what is collecting here will serve what even the analyzer whats it to.
Example: I came across TED at a Vancouver Peace conference with HHtDL and Eckhart Tolle ...TED had some small part in it. "Compassion" was one of the Conference themes so I am interested to say how that Initative rides on the TED wagon here ...not just how many times the word "Compassion" arrises but how it is employed in the flow of ideas. IMO that is the "Next Level" some are talking about.So one very surprising observation in my data (so far) is that the more the input comes from one with a high level of "TED creds" the less likely there will be a high Compassion level. Interesting enough, BUT not intended to point finger. "It is what it is" as Tolle says.
And Thank You!!! Erik for bring this good "question" "" Does the TED Cred model perpetuate a breakdown in dialogue?"" here, it is timely for me.
The quote for the intro "Today, TED is best thought of as a global community. It's a community welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world."
Chris Aldon 20+
Furthermore,
I'm very surprised with the amount of perissologists active in the conversations. brevity it seems is a lost virtue.
Lindsay Newland Bowker 50+