4 ms·
Ask HN: Is it worth paying $10,000 to attend the TED Conference?
The annual TED conference costs about $10,000 per ticket. I just moved to Vancouver and heard that the conference is here this week. So I passed by the convention center, saw KPCB's John Doerr. Have you ever been to TED? Was it worth the price?
- db48x 9y agoNope.
- antman 9y agoIf you feel you need to ask, you already have the answer.
- LinuxBender 9y agoI've seen a few good presentation given on TED. David Grady's talk [1] on meetings is one such example. This is just my opinion, but unless I can be assured a return on my investment, I am certain I can find better things to spend that kind of money on. On a lighter note, any time someone mentions TED talks, I am reminded of thought leader This is that. [2] [1] https://www.ted.com/talks/david_grady_how_to_save_the_world_or_at_least_yourself_from_bad_meetings https://www.ted.com/talks/david_grady_how_to_save_the_world_... [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZBKX-6Gz6A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZBKX-6Gz6A
- lighttower 9y agoHaha. that thought leader skit was wonderful. Thank you for sharing that.
- spcelzrd 9y agoYou might find this relevant: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/5/4061684/inside-ted-the-smartest-bubble-in-the-world http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/5/4061684/inside-ted-the-smar...
- lighttower 9y agoThank you for that link. This phrase: >THERE IS A SUBTLE, UNSPOKEN STRATA THAT EXISTS WITHIN THE CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY The most striking was between that upper strata of speakers, former speakers, celebrities, and CEOs, and a surprisingly basic TED attendee who operated with a kind of business-like agenda. ‘What can I leave here with besides ideas,’ they seemed to be saying, hungrily scanning every room for their next hit. The gap between these A-list members and the schmooze- and party-hungry B-listers grew more obvious with each awkward encounter I witnessed sums it up for me. I went to a bunch of the after-parties. All of them feel very exclusive. And while I did see some top-brass, there were lots of people... like me, but that had actually paid the $10k and wanted their money's worth.
- Lordarminius 9y agoNO.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- pesfandiar 9y agoThe talks themselves are definitely not worth it. The real question is, will you benefit from meeting other people who have put $10K into a ticket?
- bsvalley 9y agoI thought all the TED taks would end up on youtube anyway? 10k? Sheesh....
- lighttower 9y agoThe talks have zero value for sure. The connections and people you meet are the draw... supposedly.
- alt_f4 9y agoNo
- LifeQuestioner 9y agoGeeeeeze, 10k? Here i thought ted was about making ideas accessible/spreading ideas. Not elite nonsense. Damn totally missed that.
- gesman 9y agoBecome a man with a microphone.
- 1ba9115454 9y agoThis is the best advice. The guy on the stage gains the most respect, and people assign a lot of status to that person. Speakers get a free ticket. For $10k you could get a lot of speaker coaching.
- Jugurtha 9y agoIn my opinion, it's only worth it for people who don't ask themselves this question. I think we should think in terms of time and fraction of a salary (relative) instead of absolute dollar figure. Framed as follows: Someone who makes $X/year attending an event with a fee "f": what's the ratio f/X. What's the time/opportunity cost of attending the event. Is it still worth it to attend. $10k can be one's savings or another's dust collecting Brioni.