IntelliHub April 8 2013
The TED conference is now under public scrutiny for censorship and possibly scamming their patrons.
As we reported last month, Graham Hancock had publicly expressed his frustration in being censored by the people who run the TED conferences. Another well known researcher, Rupert Sheldrake was censored in the same manner. Days later we discovered that entrepreneur Eddie Huang had similar experiences with TED, and even compared their organization to a cult.
Now TED censorhip has gotten mainstream coverage in the UK’s Independent. According to their online newspaper:
“Hancock and Sheldrake have also called for the anonymous science board which advises TED on the legitimacy of speakers, to be revealed –something which TED is refusing to do, citing they are unpaid volunteers. At the talks, speakers are given 18 minutes to present their ideas, which range from a mixture of science and culture through to storytelling.
But in recent months, a series of controversies dogged the not-for-profit organisation and whose acronym stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, leading many to question the integrity of the organisation which charges audiences several thousands of pounds to watch a speech, yet pays its speakers nothing. In 2009, TED decided to license its brand allowing anyone, around the world to stage ‘TEDx’ events.
Last week in California, officials withdrew the license awarded to organisers of TEDx West Hollywood. Organisers said the conference theme who were talking about the reality of ESP, was “pseudoscience”.”
Graham Hancock, said: “I think it comes down to the management of popular culture, rather than leaving people to make up their own minds.
“I think the dilemma that TED found themselves in, was as a corporate brand they didn’t want to be associated with these talks which they had put out on their TEDx YouTube channel. But then when they find it doesn’t fit their corporate brand, they reserve the right to take them down again,” he said.
