Monica Lewinsky to speak at TED2015 conference in Vancouver

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      The lineup for the upcoming TED2015 conference in Vancouver is out, and it includes the likes of iPod creator Tony Fadell, A Beautiful Mind producer Brian Grazer, and Fei-Fei Li, director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

      But perhaps the most famous name that will grace the stage this March is Monica Lewinsky, best known in this patriarchal world for, you know, not having sexual relations with U.S. president Bill Clinton while he was in office.

      The TED website describes Lewinsky as a social activist who "advocates for a safer and more compassionate social media environment, drawing from her unique experiences at the epicenter of a media maelstrom in 1998".

      On the TED blog, curator Chris Anderson and content director Kelly Stoetzel explain why they invited Lewinsky to give a TED talk:

      Anderson: Well, it is “Truth and Dare.” For someone in her situation, it does take courage to stand on a public stage. I think she has important insights to share.

      Stoetzel: Yeah, this will be only the second time she’s spoken publicly. She calls herself Patient Zero for online bullying. She has a lot to say, as someone who has experienced it for half of her life.

      Other TED2015 speakers include performance artist Marina Abramović, surf photographer Chris Burkard, journalist and poet Dana Goodyear, and singer-songwriter Dawn Landes.

      Since standard tickets are invitation-only, sold out, and cost US$8,500, TED2015 will be streamed for free at several locations in Vancouver. According to the City of Vancouver, these sites include:

      • Vancouver Public Library
      • Science World
      • University of British Columbia, Faculty of Education and main library branch
      • Vancouver International Film Centre
      • Potluck Café Society
      • Langara College
      • Emily Carr University of Art + Design
      • YWCA Metro Vancouver
      • The AMP
      • Vancouver Community Network
      • Wolrige Foundation
      • Stratford Hall Secondary School
      • David Suzuki Foundation

      TED2015 will take place March 16 to 20 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Sperm donor

      Feb 19, 2015 at 9:24pm

      Will she provide advice on how to become the "Head" intern?

      And...

      Feb 20, 2015 at 10:09am

      my regard for the TEDtalks phenomenon continues to plummet.