:: gia’s blog ::

During TED there was a lot of sniping online. People were jealous because they’d never been invited to attend or people were jealous because they’d never be able to afford to attend. People were bitchy about those who go to TED calling them elitist, smug, self-serving etc.

My take on it is very, very different indeed. [Read more]

Here are some more photos from our trip. [Read more]

One day in summer 1994, Gareth came round to mine to hang out for the day. We were both working exclusively as TV presenters at the time, therefore we regularly had days that were just ‘hanging out’.

He told me how he’d just got a job on BBC Radio 5, a technology programme, and told me that they only had male contributors and that they wanted to find more women to work on it. He asked me if I was into technology at all. I told him that I had had a ZX81 when I was a kid and had, since the late 80s, used electronic organisers and had a mobile phone for a few years, but wasn’t *really* into technology that much. He told me that he wanted me to write a piece about technology and he’d bring it to the producer and if the producer liked it, maybe I’d get to work on the programme. I told him again that I didn’t know much about technology and I couldn’t think of what I’d write about.

He asked, ‘Well, if there was one bit of technology you could have, anything at all, what would it be?’

I thought. ‘A full sized Pac Man arcade game.’

‘Write about it.’
[Read more]

Well, Brian did his talk. It was very well received. I was so happy for and proud of him.

Here are a few photos from the past few days.
[Read more]

I am at TED with Brian now. We arrived in Monterey yesterday, registered, had a walk, then went to the TED Speakers’ Welcome Party. As you can imagine, we met all kinds of interesting people - scientists, entrepreneurs, artists. We *didn’t* speak to Al Gore, Robin Williams, Cameron Diaz or Meg Ryan - but I will probably end up talking to Robin Williams at some point (I interviewed him years ago) and Brian’s after Cameron Diaz (he wants to invite her to CERN… well, that’s what he said to me anyway;).

This morning I attended TED University - short talks/courses about disparate, but very ‘TED’ topics. My favourite was 8 Ways To Get Into Space by Peter Diamandis (the Chair and CEO of X Prize). After his talk I met Eric Anderson of Space Adventures. His company is why Brian and I started speaking in the first place. So I told him that if it wasn’t for him, my husband and I wouldn’t be married. I think he thought that was kinda cool. I’m *totally* going to introduce Brian to Eric and Peter when I see them again.

Another TED U course was How To Get In To See Anyone You Want by Sunny Bates in which she defined people called ‘connectors’. I realised that’s a big part of what I do- introduce people who I think will like each other, work well together, have something to give to each other. She’s made a very successful career doing that… It made me realise I should try and figure out how I can benefit from all of the introductions I make which end up benefitting others…

Now, Brian and I are going out for some lunch. The talks start later today, so Brian’s going to those and I’ll stay at the hotel and work. I don’t have a pass to all the talks. I chose instead to attend only the evening events in exchange for TED paying for Brian’s business class flight.

Aren’t I a lovely wife?