The value and magic of TED lies in its commitment to sharing human-centered, inspiring ideas that cross boundaries and foster curiosity.

“The values that started with what matters, what is interesting, what lights people up, what is inspiring, what is human, what is important and what can cross boundaries out of one sphere into another, that seemed to me so special, and I was determined not to let that go for anything.”

The TED conference was not created to serve an audience or achieve synergy, but rather to host interesting individuals and please the founder himself.

“I don't care about synergy or about transforming the audience. I don't care about getting letters in, I don't care about rah rah rah. What I cared about was pleasing myself. I invited the people I wanted to hear from. It worked. The whole measure is me.”