The TED2010 Convention rolls into SoCal, carrying with it answers to some of the most compelling questions of the modern age. Admittedly, these answers just inspire more questions — but it wouldn't be a TED convention without a lot of deathlessly smart people breaking with convention. The nonprofit organization began in 1984, gathering great thinkers from the worlds of technology, entertainment and design, under the larger rubric of “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Departing from its Monterey locale after 20 years, this year's “world's most fascinating thinkers and doers” have 18 minutes to change the world — and, it follows, your mind (considering the fact that they've never booked Chuck Barris or made Frank Gehry talk about Easy Edges Furniture, this challenge comes with some skepticism). This year's speakers — almost 70 — include Herbie Hancock doing whatever it is he does, awesome Para-Olympian runner Aimee Mullins and Bill Gates talking about, er, mosquitoes. There's only one problem: None of us can actually go.

Jan. 9-Feb. 13, 2010

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