Farish Organizes TEDx on Orcas

 — by Margie Doyle —

Last week Adam Farish spoke to a roomful of Orcas Islanders about bringing the internationally-known TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) talks, seen over 1 Billion times (1,000,000,000) on YouTube, to Orcas Island.

The TED talks have grown into a significant “X factor,” the X standing for “independently organized TED event.

Phil Klein, who initiated and has been the producer and curator for TEDxRainier in Seattle for the past four years, and who has also worked for TED, the parent organization, joined Farish in presenting the project on May 12 at the Outlook Inn. They described the yet-to-be-engaged speakers and the process for the event, now planned for the first Saturday in November.

TED talks are “all about the spread of new ideas,” said Farish. The talks are distinguished from a salon, or conversational exchange of ideas, in that they are more about listening.

Farish will be curator of the event, but is looking for a team to assist with presentations. He would like to source presenters within a 25 miles radius of Orcas to keep it as a “local” event.

The docket for presenters is currently open: TEDxOrcasIsland website will soon have nomination forms for presenters (for those who would like to nominate/suggest presenters).

Farish urged those attending the introductory meeting to “think about who gets you inspired; the dinner party you always wish you had.” The only restrictions are topics promoting particular politics, religion or pseudo-science.

“We’re not looking for professional speakers, but for people who have an amazing story to tell.” There will be extensive preparation for speakers, with guidance from the organizers, so that the speakers can “talk as if to a friend, with personal intimacy.

Klein said, “The driving force is the strength of their ideas.”

The Orcas event will be made up of eight speakers, four at a morning session and four in the afternoon.

Islanders are encouraged to find their role within the project, which is forming a planning group and a production team.

The next steps are identifying the speakers. All suggestions are welcome, and may be sent to adam@outlookinn.com.

Concurrently, Farish is seeking production volunteers who can “brainstorm with a high sense of possibility.” His preliminary concept is “This is America.”

The event will take place in the Victorian Room of the Outlook Inn, with live streaming at Orcas Center. The audience will also be curated, with an application process. The estimated cost  per ticket is $65.

To join in the planning, go to TEDsOrcasIslandPlanningGroup on Facebook.