[3dptz]

With few exceptions the quality of talks, for which I was drawn to TED in the first place, has been in free fall for years.

5 or 6 years ago almost every TED talk was a gem for anyone with a single engineer, science or technology fiber in his/her body.

Becoming more famous is what did them in. Needing to push out more talks on shorter and shorter intervals. Shifting more and more from spreading ideas (i.e. technology), to telling stories and making people feel better or worse. And more importantly promoting whatever product/service they are connected to.

It has become an event where people think they need to be, regardless of interest in actual topics. Something which is reflected in the generic nonsense which is their comments section.

Also, if you are a self proclaimed "thought leader" you are a douche bag.