Mark O'Loughlin

Next week www.ted.com comes to Oxford for its annual conference, where 700 delegates debate some of the most important ideas of the day.  Split in 12 sessions ranging from 'What we know' to 'Nature's Challenge' it is an interlectual feast of ideas and debate.  Unfortunately I will not be attending, but one comforting factor is that many of us are still seeking out intellectual debate, we want to debate the big issues and seek out those with big ideas that can possibly address them.  If this is not provided through the mainstream politics and media we will seek it elsewhere.  That is why ted.com freely releases the videos from the event, it wants to provide a platform for intellectual debate.  Each presenter is limited to 18 minutes, I strongly recommend having a look if you have not already done so.