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We had a great time! Hope you did, too.

Gretchen Schneider, BuzzRocket, isawjesusinLA.com @gretawells

As I posted yesterday, I had the distinct honor of running the TEDxGoldstar blog throughout the day for the truly inspirational event. To make things (more) interesting, and to avoid lugging around a cumbersome laptop, flip cam, camera, etc., I challenged myself to run the entire blog off my iPhone 4. This made some question my intelligence, sanity … perhaps wonder if I had a gambling problem. Hey, this was TEDx: The perfect place to exhibit such an innovative tool like an iPhone.

I’m happy to report that my challenge was an absolute success. I was able to capture and edit HD video, take pictures, post real-time updates, add the TEDxGoldstar Interactive Host blogs and promote everything via twitter through my tiny, powerful little phone. I felt like I was living out an iPhone commercial’s dream.

The capabilities of the phone were nothing short of incredible, but I also have to attribute a lot of the success to the Tumblr iPhone app, which made uploading new posts a seamless process. Even uploading videos took but minutes from the phone (compared to 20-30 minutes from my computer). Tagging the posts was simple, as well.

My only complaint is that the keyboard on the Tumblr app doesn’t flip, so I was forced to type on a tiny vertical keyboard, which was fine at first, but by the eighth straight hour of blogging, I was ready to chuck my iPhone off the roof of the Downtown Independent, where TEDxGoldstar was held.

MIKE TURNER - www.audiosocket.com

What is your profession?
I’m the DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE MUSIC SERVICES FOR AUDIOSOCKET IN LA. We find and negotiate rights for music in all kinds of mediums: film, TV, commercial, gaming, etc. our special niche in the market place is an advanced proprietary technology for searching, organizing and delivering audio content across a super flexible array of digital and interactive platforms.

Have you been to any TED events before?
Never.

How have you experienced TED in the past?
Online, I’ve seen the videos, usually a friend sends me a link to one that they find particularly interesting.

How does this event compare to the TED you’ve experienced?
Much more three dimensional.

What do you anticipate for the rest of the day?
I’m looking forward to the breaks where I can chat with more people that are here. The first few talks were super fascinating, but I want to meet some of the people here and have my blown even more - harder & faster.

Do you think today will impact your life?
Eff yes to the 10th power.

How do you think this will impact your life?
I hope to discover how to obtain tiger blood & Adonis’ DNA.

NAME: LAYLI SAMIMI-MOORE
TITLE: PHOTOGRAPHER / CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION SPECIALIST / JEWELRY DESIGNER & BLOGGER EXTRAORDINAIRE
BLOG: www.samimi-extremie.blogspot.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: www.samimi-extremie-photography.tumblr.com

Today at LA’s Downtown Independent, a very diverse, engaged group of individuals gathered to enjoy a TEDx event sponsored by Goldstar. Goldstar’s CEO Jim McCarthy’s introduction was extremely welcoming & inviting. McCarthy says,  “TED is all about getting good ideas out in the world…always looking for how we can improve and make the world a better place. In the true spirit of a TED event, its really important to reach out to the people sitting next to you, to engage in a dialogue about what you are listening to today. You have an opportunity to reach out and connect with others. We are all as important and have as much to share as those that are giving the actual TED talks”.  What a good point. And that is exactly what we’ve been doing all day - reaching out and connecting with one another.

I think we all felt extremely lucky to be attending today’s event; our TEDxGoldstar group was one of the 70 TEDx groups around the world - from switzerland to sudan. Don’t we feel lucky?!?

At the beginning of the live TED event in Long Beach, the TED host starts out by saying, “Who are we? Its perplexed humanity for as long as humanity has thought”. This is the basis for TED - to ask these important questions - to ALWAYS be asking the deeper questions.

Through this TEDxGoldstar event, the mystery of life, the big questions explained and topics and questions that you may have never considered before are brought to reality.

Lunch was filled with great dialogue, unique connections were made and thoughts & ideas were shared.

It is hard to share & summarize with you, a detailed version of what each of the AMAZING TED speakers shared today (there were 19 in total! [so great!]), instead, I will share with you what I call today’s TEDxGoldstar’s “Take Away Quotes”:

»>BILL FORD:
“a GREEN traffic jam is still a traffic jam” - Bill Ford talking about our quality of life being severely compromised
“the biggest consumers of fuel are from people driving around trying to find parking in urban areas”
“i believe we’re at our best when we’re confronted by big issues”

»> JULIE TAYMOR - DIRECTOR & DESIGNER:
“you must be true to what you believe as an artist all the way through. but you also have to be aware that the audience is out there and will see your work. “

»ANTONIO DAMASIO - NEUROSCIENTIST:
“a self - we are not passive exhibitors - we own our minds, we have a sense that every one of us is experiencing this. a conscious mind is a mind with a self in it.”

»>FELISA WOLFE - SIMON - GEOBIOCHEMIST:
“are we alone? and how did we get here? we dont know the answers to those questions. thinking deeply about what we do and dont know, life as we’ve never seen before might be right here in front of us.”

»>AARON O’CONNELL - PHYSICIST:
“you hear a lot of talk about quantum mechanics being about Interconnectedness. its actually deeper, your connections to all those things around you, literally define who you are.”

»>MAYA BEISER - CELLIST:
“i become the medium through which the music is chanelled. at the end the music is transformed, and so am i.”

»>MORGAN SPURLOCK - FILMMAKER:
“don’t be afraid of opportunites that might scare you. embrace fear. embrace risk. and ultimately you have to embrace transparency. a little honesty goes a long way.”

»» INDRA NOOYI / CEO PEPSI CO. :
“you can’t have performance with out purpose. consumers like brands that have a soul, have purpose. every generation strives to leave a better place for the next generation - they want to refresh the world.”

»» GREAT FACT: sao paulo banned advertising for the last 5 years - no billboards or advertisements WHATSOEVER.
»» ONE OF THE MOST MOVING PARTS FOR ME TODAY: seeing the TEDx participants in Khartoum, all waving, so excited.
——————————————-
Up next: renowned street artist JR [who’s work I LOVE], among other greats!
Thank you TEDxGoldstar for the opportunity to gather a great group of dynamic individuals to share our thoughts, our fears, our hopes and dreams.  Also, for the unique opportunity to be able to participate in such a truly educational simulcast experience with TED 2011 in Long Beach!

The mesmerizing Antony and the Johnsons close TED. Perfection. Thank you to all who joined us today for TEDxGoldstar.

TED prize awarded to JR, street artist.

SETI and TED search for extra terrestrial life. Or do they? Funding is $3 million short.

Happy Anniversary to Jamie Oliver and his Food Revolution, which kicked off at last year’s TED! Jamie is the surprise guest!

Moving trailer for Mission Blue.

Eddie Widder, conservator, discusses bioluminescence. Incredible sight to see.

Radical Collaboration session has commenced.

“Man in the Mirror” playing as people take their seats at TED. Quite appropriate.

Alexandra Spunt, co-author “No More Dirty Looks”, @nodirtylooks, www.nomoredirtylooks.com talking about formaldehyde exposure at TEDxGoldstar before session 4 of TED.

Bill Gates on Sal Khan and the KhanAcademy, “You just got a glimpse of the future of education.”

Sal Khan explains the beginnings of the KhanAcademy. YouTube.

Bill Gates is introducing Salman Khan, educator.

They are running a video highlighting past TEDx gatherings. Amazing.

Bill Gates is discussing TEDx events just like ours!

Bruce Aylward, epidemiologist, is discussing the polio vaccine and it’s impact on the world.

David Christian, human historian, kicked off the third session with a fascinating speech about collective learning and Big History.

Amina Az-Zubar delivered an enlightening speech about Nigeria and the social changes she’s been a part of as a development worker.

Kelly Ryan O’Brien, founder Stuff I Like www.kellyryanobrien.com Session One: Deep Mystery

Good Morning y’all! I am sitting in the bloggers lounge for TEDxGoldstar event after watching the first round of speakers simulcast from the TED 2011 conference in Long Beach. I was lucky enough to be chosen as an Official Interactive Host for the day and will be coming at you via twitter (@kellyryanobrien), Facebook and the TEDxGoldstar blog. Only 70 of these events are going on all over the world, as I type.

It may have been a little early in the morning to start with Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio, but needless to say it cleared the cobwebs in my mind very quickly. Thank god, because the next few speakers blew my mind.

One in particular:

Deb Roy is a cognitive scientist at MIT. He explained a study in which he and his family were an integral part. They video recorded three years of their life, 10 hours a day, from the day his son was born. At first I wasn’t that intrigued with the subject matter; baby’s first words and how they correspond to locations in the house…meh. But quickly Deb segued into how social media effects the distribution of information and steers conversation throughout the United States. Being a mere mortal it is impossible to really explain this correctly, but that is what the Ted website is for!

Obviously this struck a note as I, an (ahem) “Official Digital Host” of TEDxGoldstar, sit here and spew my social medianess out to as many people as possible.

We are headed into Session 2: Worlds Imagined. Looking forward to hearing Morgan Spurlock and Bill Ford (president of Ford! Detroit!) especially.

Session 2 starting strong with Julie Taymor!

Neuroscience, Geochemistry and Quantum Mechanics and it’s not even lunch! Our brains are officially stimulated. Enjoying an incredible musical performance by cellist Maya Beiser.

TEDxGoldstar kicking off with wonderful intro from Jim McCarthy of Goldstar. About to go live!

TEDxGoldstar kicks off in less than 12 hours!

Marni Landes, Social Media and Community Manager, Goldstar; Blogger at www.happygomarni.com @happygomarni
 
I have to give a big Thank You to Jim McCarthy, our CEO, because he’s the reason I am a TED fan. A couple of years ago, when he first started following TED (and by the way, he’s a super-gung-ho TEDster today), he got the entire company’s ears to perk up as he shared interesting tidbits he was learning from this wonderful organization.
 
Now, I’m looking forward to attending my first ever TED event and I won’t need to lean on Jim for insight. The training wheels are off! Well, knowing me, and knowing Jim, I’ll probably still lean a bit since we’ll have different takeaways from the talks. Discussion is a good thing! But the point is, I’ll be sitting in the theater, quenching my thirst for inspiration and thoughtful ideas, and meeting really interesting people who are all gathered for a similar purpose.
 
It’s so easy to be complacent and stick with what you know and avoid change. But where’s the fun in that? So thank goodness for TED. Plus, I hear Popchips will make an appearance. Mmm Mmmm. I can’t wait for TEDxGoldstar!

Kristen Tischhauser - Co-founder & President, talkTECH Communications, @KTischhy

I can’t explain to you how honored and ecstatic we are to be part of TEDxGoldstar and the ideas worth spreading initiative! There are so many intriguing presenters that I’m looking forward to – in particular, Bill Gates and Morgan Spurlock…as well as the chance to meet local innovative, thought leaders to share ideas with.

Counting down the days to this interactive experience and celebration of individuals coming together for the ultimate day of mind stimulation! 

Lior Shamir, Founder of www.WeAreListening.org, @WeAreListening

I’m attending the event on the premise that every TED event is worth attending.

Charity C. Tran, Digital Strategist, Civic Resource Group; Editor/Blogger, www.ExperienceLA.com, @experiencela

I believe that the Internet is more than just connections. It’s a place of bridges that cross over the disparate and the similar, revealing the world to be smaller than you think and greater than you can imagine at the same time. 

Events like TED bring these pathways to the forefront, showcasing not only the ideas, the thinkers, and the innovators leading the charge but the dialogue and community that make it all come alive.

I’m looking forward to this multi-level experience, where I can be both there and removed, both interactive participant and listener, and an explorer of everything in-between.

Kelly Ryan O’Brien, founder, www.kellyryanobrien.com, @kellyryanobrien
 
Those of us who are entrepreneurs and trailblazers need each other to keep the train moving.  It is amazing to have such access to like minded individuals. TEDxGoldstar is creating the opportunity to be part of a current discussion with the wildly influential speakers at TED both personally and within social media.
 
I am hoping to absorb: Info Info Info!  As much as my brain can hold!

Jim McCarthy, CEO Goldstar, www.goldstar.com @goldstarjim

I admit it.  I’m responsible for all this madness.  I started going to the TED conference back in 2008, and I’m an addict, but I like to think it’s one of those addictions that is actually good for you, rather than the ones that cause you to break into your neighbors houses and steal their TVs.

Under Chris Anderson’s leadership, TED has become deeply committed to bringing the world of great ideas to as many people as possible, and that’s hard to do when it’s just one rather pricey, space-limited conference each year.  Chris’s vision was to find ways to open the whole thing up.  That led originally to the posting the TED Talks online, and has led after that to the TEDx program.

TEDx is even more exciting in a way because it’s not just sitting at your desk watching a video.  It’s participating.  When we became a TED partner in support of the TEDx program, I was thrilled because, after all, Goldstar’s about live events! Perfect fit!  For us to be able to throw our TEDx party is so exciting, and I hope everyone gets a lot out of it and has a blast.

But more than that, I hope you’ll support the TEDx program in your own way.  TED is a community about jumping in with both feet and getting involved, and TEDx is the way to do that.

So I look forward to meeting you and even if I don’t see you, let me know how your TEDxGoldstar experience was!

Caroline Pardilla, blogger of Caroline on Crack, @carolineoncrack

Julie Taymor, Bill Gates and Morgan Spurlock sharing their thoughts, philosophies and ideas and I get to be there for it? Yes! I feel so very fortunate for having been invited to watch the TEDxGoldstar simulcast. I’m looking forward to getting inside the minds of these leaders of innovation and am really hoping their smarts are contagious. In this world of reality TV shows, I feel intelligence and new ideas have taken a backseat with the public so it will be good to participate in something mind-expanding for a change.