TEDxWhitefish
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading and the acronym stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design. However, today the topics encompass a much broader spectrum. TED originally started as a four-day conference in California in 1984, and has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world's leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available free, at TED.com. Speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, and Sir Ken Robinson.
TEDx started as a new initiative 4 years ago, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, within the TED program on a volunteer basis and may not profit from these events in any way. These micro-events help world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. Their mission is: "We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other."
The theme for TEDxWhitefish is "Defining the Last Best Place," which is a call to action for Montanan's to define their roles and responsibilities within themselves, within their community, within this state, and within this country. What is it that we can do within those definitions to create a better life and opportunities for future generations? The speakers will be based around this theme, as the "Definers," whom have envisioned, believed, and achieved. They define themselves through their organizations, products, beliefs, and aid in this culminating call to create a better life for all.
The American drive to pioneer is alive and well in Montana. Without new land to conquer we turn inward to the creative canvas of freedom afforded to us by our forefathers. We credit them for foresight in the successful and often risky decisions they made that form the roots of our town. Yet the miracle and wonder of Whitefish rests in the small individual efforts of singular people. Yet the best illustration of our community dynamic is found in the altruistic events that not only fund these successes but draw our people together to contribute deeply to our fabric.
As in John F. Kennedy's challenge to our parents generation, " the torch has been past to a new generation of Americans...". We now stand, challenged with opportunity, to..." ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." In Whitefish, Montana the spirit of the New Frontier is alive and very well. It is up to us, as illustrated through the community lens of Technology, Entertainment, and Design, to Define the Next Last Best Place.??