I love TED. I watch TED talks and instantly feel smarter. When the TEDx program started, I jumped on board and organized one in Calgary with a great group of people. I’m proud of that event. However, I’m over TEDx and here’s why:

5. TEDx events are independently organized. TED has some pretty strict rules around how to put one on, but it’s hard to enforce.  I recognize that TED is very exclusive and that it ridiculously expensive, but that means you know what you are going to get. TEDx events are all over the map and this means I no longer trust the TED brand like I used to. This disappoints me.

4. You cannot be negative about TEDx. That’s not cool. I want conversation. I want intelligent arguments. I want stuff that inspires me to think! If a TEDx speaker isn’t doing that, I want to be able to tell them they need to up their game. TEDx shouldn’t be an inclusive event where you practice your talk. TEDx is an event where you should nail your talk or get booed off stage.

3. TEDx speakers don’t follow the TED commandments of speaking at TED. The one that gets broken most often by TEDx speakers is DO NOT SELL FROM THE STAGE. Ugh. Another forgotten TED commandment is that speakers need to tell a story. If you’ve done something great, don’t detail what you did, that’s what Wikipedia entries are for. Explain why you did it, or share your vision for what you’d like to do next. If you’re smart, you don’t even need to talk about your previous successes, I’d prefer to hear what’s weighing on your mind right now.

2. I want to hear from people doing jobs I didn’t even know existed. I don’t want to hear from people talking about something unless they invented it or perfected it. TEDx organizers should be looking for local people that we’ve never heard of or trying to bring in the best in the world. I know that is hard work, but that’s sort of what organizing a really great event is about.

1. We’re currently too caught up in our own intelligence. We’re a smug, self-congratulating bunch and that gets old, really fast. No more talk of innovation for innovation’s sake. I want expansive concepts, with focused scope. No more innovation coaches, creativity curators, social connectors or any other title that basically implies you don’t really do anything yourself, you just get the people that are doing stuff to pay you for your services. I realize this means if I organize another TEDx event, I probably wouldn’t invite myself. Blast!

I’m not writing this to say that the people that put TEDx events on don’t work hard. I can tell you from experience, it is really, really hard work.  I’m writing this to say that I’m looking for something different. I want interaction. I want dinner conversation. I just don’t know where to find it at an event. If you know of any, share a link to it in the comments below!