University to present TedX conference

TEDxBinghamtonUniversity will bring speakers, visionaries and performers to the Binghamton University campus at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater. This third annual conference organized by students to promote and stimulate conversation about how to spread and put good ideas to work is open to the public. TEDxBinghamtonUniversity 2013, is an independently organized event licensed by TED.

Eight of the world’s leading thinkers and doers − and one band − will put on a multimedia program of talks, videos and performances, all on the theme of “Sex, Tech & Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

Speakers will include artificial intelligence expert David Ferrucci, NASA science communicator Michelle Thaller and experimental particle physicist Kyle Cranmer. The event will also feature digital sculptor and 3D artist Joshua Harker, sex researcher and Binghamton alumnus Justin Garcia, the unconventional Virginia Tech instructor John Boyer, zombie and foreign policy blogger Daniel Drezner, and Binghamton alumnus and social gamer Alexander Macris. Musical performances will be provided by Just Passin’ Thru, a band including Binghamton faculty member Bob Demicco and alumnus Matt Telfer.

TEDxBinghamtonUniversity Executive Director Lenny Simmons, a senior double-major in philosophy, politics and law, and political science, has been involved with the student-organized TEDx since bringing it to campus three years ago.

“We continue to get bigger each year. With the support we’re receiving from every division of campus and the exceptional speakers we have lined up, this year’s TEDx event promises to be record-breaking,” he said. “We’re excited about what we’re going to hear on Feb. 24!”

TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, is a nonprofit organization devoted to the notion of ‘Ideas Worth Spreading.’ Started as a conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. TED went on to create TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. The TED Conference provides general guidance for TEDx programs, but individual TEDx events, including TEDxBinghamton University, are self-organized.

Advance tickets are $5 and are on sale from noon to 4 p.m. in the University Union’s Tillman Lobby on Wednesday, Feb. 20. Tickets can also be purchased online. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10.

For additional information, visit http://binghamton.edu/tedx.