The TED conference has just finished in Monterery. Sounds like a fantastic lot of speakers. I was lucky enough to go last year and I'd put aside the money to go again this year. But, a while ago, it occurred to me that I could take that money and we could maybe organise a conference of our own here in the UK, which might be even more interesting. Or at least easier to get to.
So this is the plan:
We've booked the Conway Hall for the 16th of June. Which is a Saturday. It'll be about £20 to get in. I want to make it something almost anyone can afford.
The plan is to have all sorts of speakers speak about all sorts of stuff. Not brands, advertising, blogging and twitter but interesting, unexpected, original things. I'm hoping to find fascinating people and to just ask them to speak about something they care about. I want to replicate the experience of clicking from one really good blog to another, ranging across sciences, arts, musics, jokes and whatever. There will be 20 minute slots and 3 minute slots. Some people will play music or sing. And some people who can't be there will be asked to send three minute videos. Perhaps. I reckon we can squeeze a lot of interestingness into a day. And then have a party afterwards.
But it'll all be down to the goodwill and enthusiasm of the speakers anyway, because I won't be able to pay any of them.
The hall is paid for, seats and presentation stuff will be paid for. But that's the 'TED money' soaked up. After that I'm hoping to find sponsors to chip in, not to pay money and put up a logo but to provide things like wifi, smoothies, or cakes. And it'd be great if someone would like to film it properly, or podcast it, or do nice drawings. I don't think we'll be having name badges, branded pens or lime cordial so we won't worry about them.
I think that's about it for now. It's June the 16th. If you think you might come it'd be nice if you'd comment below, just so we can start to get a sense of numbers. And I'll soon get round to setting up paypal for tickets and upcoming and all that sort of thing. If you can think of someone we should ask to speak, that'd be great too. Or maybe you want to speak? I've already asked some people but I think they all thought I was joking so I'm going to ask again now I've written this.
And we need a name for it. I'm not sure The Conference Of Interestingness is good enough. Any suggestions?
Great idea but you would pick the weekend I'm back in the uk but at a wedding.
Posted by: gareth | March 13, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Yes I said yes I will Yes. No better way to celebrate the epic within the ordinary me thinks.
Posted by: zeroinfluencer | March 13, 2007 at 09:04 AM
interested in interesting..dependent on serendipity potential of speakers
Posted by: hobart65 | March 13, 2007 at 09:11 AM
Sounds like one for the diary.
Using the Rule of Dickett's Finger, how about calling it "The Interesting Conference".
Now that WOULD be a first. For me, at least.
Posted by: Rozza | March 13, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I would be interested. I have a couple of ideas for performers if keen.
Posted by: Greg | March 13, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Love it.
How about Rus instead of Ted?
Posted by: mike nicholson | March 13, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Why not Teddy?
I'll come.
Posted by: Claire Gates | March 13, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Count me in.
Btw "Very Interesting" and "Rather Interesting" sound like lost Pet Shop Boys albums...
Posted by: Michael Barrett | March 13, 2007 at 10:44 AM
The name - 'we're as disappointed as you are' could work.
I will be there.
Posted by: Will | March 13, 2007 at 11:17 AM
I would love to come and bring at least two other friends along.
Posted by: JD | March 13, 2007 at 11:37 AM
I'm in too, and in anyway that helps - I'll commit to baking cakes (up to a certain number) and I'm sure we can find someone to shoot it too.
Posted by: simon | March 13, 2007 at 11:41 AM
A name perhaps
The festival of 'We'
Posted by: Richard Buchanan | March 13, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Im in Russell - any help you need - give me a shout :-)
Posted by: Holycow | March 13, 2007 at 12:02 PM
I'd call it "standing up to 500"
Posted by: Marcus | March 13, 2007 at 12:11 PM
yes please
Posted by: sarah | March 13, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Ooooh. I'm game. Well, that is if I'm not at Sonar - which is all about musical interestingness.
We'll get a dare contingent to help out/attend/bake cakes/hang bunting/rant if you like.
Posted by: Nick | March 13, 2007 at 12:30 PM
definitely count me in! this sounds wonderful.
An interesting person: Joanna Yarrow, director of Beyond Green, a sustainability consultancy - regular contributor to the Evening Standard, Guardian, Telegraph, Times, ITV on Green Consumer Ideas/issues... also working on the 2012 Green Olympic development plans. Contact details available.
Posted by: collyn | March 13, 2007 at 12:36 PM
great idea
id love to come
Posted by: nick | March 13, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Russell, I'll do my best to come over.
And if you think it's useful I'll shoot some pics.
Posted by: Luca | March 13, 2007 at 01:41 PM
I'll be there.
May I suggest Sacrum as a speaker?
Posted by: Northern Planner | March 13, 2007 at 01:54 PM
May I second getting Sacrum in to speak - afterall, he is very popular in Asia [http://robcampbell.wordpress.com/2007/03/08/439/]
Posted by: Rob @ Cynic | March 13, 2007 at 02:02 PM
go on then, I'll jump on the Sacrum bandwagon too. may it be a conference of warmness as well as interestingness...
Posted by: doug | March 13, 2007 at 02:56 PM
Yay! Stick the Staufenbergers down for a handful of tickets.
Posted by: patrick | March 13, 2007 at 03:50 PM
I'm well into this idea - and my colleagues here (a research group in a chemistry department into new methods of scientific communication, open access/open data, web services, semantics, etc etc etc...) might well be too.
Posted by: Andrew | March 13, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Two please. One and one child.
Might as well have a stab at a name while we're here; how about "Wikiforum"?
Posted by: Rob & Robbie | March 13, 2007 at 04:14 PM