Get footbag on TED

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 18 May 2009 17:56

Here's a long term goal that would be pretty amazing. I haven't really put much effort in yet, but I think it's definitely achievable.

For those that don't know about it http://www.ted.com is one of the best and most informative websites on the internet. Basically once a year (plus smaller events) some of the world leaders in a whole range of different fields - mainly science, business and politics, get together and a select few give 2 to 20 minute lectures or performances on what they're working on. These are later posted online. While most of the talks are serious, there have been a number of stuff in line with footbag - a great talk and video by some European about skydiving/base jumping. Right now on the front page there is a beatboxing performance. Footbag seems to be exactly the kind of thing that would go down well at a TED talk.

The next conference is only in couple of months, so I'm sure it's too late for that, so we should aim for 2010, which I think will be in North America. We'd need to make sure we get the best available footbagger, so from North Americans I'm thinking Penske, Moir or Clavens at the moment. You don't get paid for speaking but you get to meet people like Bill Gates, Al Gore, Richard Dawkins etc. and I think it would be an incredible experience.

Thoughts? If any of those three are interested, I'm definitely willing to help out however I can in making this happen too.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 18 May 2009 18:19

Does anybody know of any rumours about who is thinking of hosting worlds next year - especially North Americans? Typically the global TED conference is in July, so potentially Vasek could be an option if he's available - that would be ideal I guess.

abstract · Post by **abstract** » 19 May 2009 06:12

TED is awesome.

+1 for this idea. as you say, it would need one of the current greats to champion this endeavour.

( or we could just get the guy from ExpertVillage to hook us up )

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 19 May 2009 09:31

Great idea!

It's more about talk than action so I dont think Vasek would be ideal.

I think the best would be Lon Smith, Peter Irish or Jorden Moir.

The juggle one on TED is amazing but there is alot of good stuff.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 19 May 2009 16:54

There are a few "talks" that don't have any talking at all - just a performance. While the talk would be good, I think the selling point for footbag is actually seeing it - not what you have to say about it, so I think ideally we want the best performer, not the best speaker.

That said, it doesn't take much footbag to impress people, and the guys you've mentioned are ok

We do need to make sure that they avoid doing actual juggling and stuff like that though - I won't this to be a promotion of "mainstream" footbag only

david · Post by **david** » 21 May 2009 08:39

Skill doesn't mean anything. People will be impressed with ripwalk if its presented right. Get the person who has presented footbag to the most people and sounds the best in front of them. I'd put goldberg up there narrating an intermediate before most players.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » 21 May 2009 10:24

Skill matters in so far as drops being bad. And I think also that if there's say, a ten minute talk, and attentive audience would definitely be able to pick up on the shifting intensity when fearless combos are thrown into guiltless shuffle. Tension / resolution, footbag strings are the same as music.

A circle of 3 or 4 players with a narrator could be interesting. It could be a simple way to show how we've evolved out of the circle kicking game.

dyalander · Post by **dyalander** » 21 May 2009 15:17

I think if this is to happen, the way forward would be for a group of footbaggers to put up their hand and say "I'm willing and able to devote time to this" and then for them to then decide what form it should take. There's heaps of potential here but the key will be getting a core group of players who are able to put the required time in to make it happen.

Definitely a good idea - but I lack the required time and skill to be involved other than to make general comment - story of my life

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 21 May 2009 18:25

Skill might not matter, but it's hard to imagine TED having a presentation from anybody who is not very close to the top of their field. We have no chance of getting anybody to perform at the conference who is not in the top 5 players in the world according to competition results at world championships.

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 22 May 2009 03:26

I like this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjvn8OT0 ... annel_page[/youtube]

ThisIsFate · Post by **ThisIsFate** » 29 May 2009 21:12

Motion action worth a thousand words, instead of good at talking. Vasek klouda's performance can definitely shine and impress the crowd.

Ian Brill · Post by **Ian Brill** » 30 May 2009 05:16

Interesting suggestion. I have been watching these talks for a bit now. I wonder how you would pitch footbag as being appropriate for TED, Jeremy. Not that I disagree- just that I can't think of the right way to pitch it myself.

Peter Irish comes to mind as a presenter.

bob · Post by **bob** » 08 Jun 2009 08:44

seriously, that david clavens speech is by far the best introduction to footbag i have ever heard. he's funny, witty, talented, and likable. that could be shown anywhere and i think footbag appreciation would grow. i also motion that clipper be renamed to 'lady killer'.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 08 Jun 2009 18:19

I agree that it's fantastic, but I also feel that given the nature of TED and footbag it would be much more realistic and achievable to merely do a 2 minute routine with no talking. I also think that merely seeing high level footbag is the most effective promotion for the sport. I don't think any of us started playing because of what we heard somebody saying about the sport, but because we saw it and thought it *looked* awesome.