What Happened to TED?
No, not Ted Nugent or Ted Koppel or Ted Turner; we are talking about the TED. Alex Pareene over at Salon offers a we'll rounded critique of TED. TED is a global forum of "ideas worth spreading" centered around annual conferences, loosely woven around themes of technology, entertainment and design (TED). Richard Wurman started TED in 1984 as a self-congratulatory networking event for Silicon Valley insiders. Since changing hands in 2002, TED has grown into a worldwide brand, but still self-congratulatory, only more exclusive. Currently, it costs $6,000 annually to be admitted to the elite idea sharing club. By way of background, TED's mission statement follows: We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers…