Edge v. TED

TED wins. It's not just that the presentation is better, although that is important, but I find the whole philosophy of TED (ideas worth spreading) better than Edge's (to promote inquiry into and discussion of intellectual, philosophical, artistic, and literary issues, as well as to work for the intellectual and social achievement of society). Edge is thoroughly self-regarding and self-satisfied. Take a look at the right-hand column where, in the style of bestsellers or blockbusters, they excerpt around 50 blurbs from newspapers and other old media. It might give you the impression that for all their assuredness ("The Third Culture ...[is] taking the place of the traditional intellectual in rendering visible the deeper meanings of our lives, redefining who and what we are.) they crave validation like a child working on an art project who gets his real joy from the pat on the head he gets from his teacher rather than the art itself. TED, on the other hand, is more democratic but the greater openness and inclusive spirit (shown in everything from allowing comments on the videos to their more user-friendly interface) does not lower the discourse. There are some gimmicky TED presentations, but the best of them stack up well against the best Edge has to offer.