It seems like every other day I get invited to a TEDx _ _ _ _ _ _ event, and I have to say I think it’s a really crap idea, not at all worth spreading. Perhaps not the concept but definitely the execution.

I’ve been lucky enough to attend TED Global in Oxford twice and I have to say, while great, the real appeal is that I’ve been - and many others haven’t. When it comes to events like TED, scarcity is the hallmark of quality.

If this wasn’t the case, people would be spending a lot more time talking about events like Creativity World Forum and Pop!Tech (both better conferences) and less time talking about TED. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t for one second think that this is a bad thing, I think it’s a masterstroke of marketing genius.

TEDx, not so much.

Putting a TEDx logo on an event doesn’t make it a TED conference anymore than putting a FERRARIx badge on a Fiat makes it an Italian super-car.

However, one thing that the TEDx events seem to have adopted from their parent is the arrogance.

I recently received this mail from one of the TEDx organisers inviting me to pitch-to-speak (I was also asked to speak at TEDx PTA two weeks ago):

You have been nominated by justin spratt (thanks Spratty) to speak at the [site-name] Event, happening on the 15th of November, 2009…

…If you are interested in telling the world about how implementing your idea is currently uplifting or can uplift communities, please Register here: http://www.tedxjohannesburg.co.za/user/register. Once your registration is complete, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a one time link. This will confirm your e-mail address. Click this link: http://www.tedxjohannesburg.co.za/node/add/profile-speaker to fill out your speaker application.

We will then review your application and get back to you. In the mean time, please take a look at our website and browse through the FAQs ([site-url]/faq).

Now, if this was the actual TED I’d say hell yeah and beg for a place to talk. However it’s not, it’s just another in the endless string of TED knock-offs that we hear about weekly. 

Like most speakers I charge in the region of R20k to deliver a talk, and do this a fair amount. As far as I’m concerned, at this stage anyway, if I was to speak at TEDx it would be a favour, and not a privilege.

These guys are acting like their credibility has already been established, it hasn’t.

Less arrogance lads - you’re not TED, yet.

And TED, you shouldn’t be giving out these licenses like food stamps, you’re killing  your brand…!

So yesterday I won 2 tickets to the Beijing Olympics from Nedbank because I used my VISA card. Sweet, thanks Nedbank.

The thing is, I discussed it with my wife and we both feel that there are other people out there that would get a lot more out of this than we would. My thinking was that I’d give them to two talented young athletes from CIDA. These guys work so hard, and for them it would be an opportunity of a lifetime.

Nedbank won’t let me.

They say it has to be someone from my company, or else they’ll give them away to someone else.

Wow! Really?

I cannot for the life of me understand this. Nedbank should be happy about this, we’re trying to do a good thing here, give young aspiring athletes memories they will cherish for ever.

This is a prime example of red-tape over reason…!

Seems the dirty tricks thing is not the sole domain of British Airways. As a commuter based in Northriding, I take advantage of Kulula’s Lanseria - CT flight fairly often, and for the most part (other than the need of a yuppie class) I’m a happy guy. So when they launched their frequent flyer system, Jetsetters, I was there in a flash.

So off I went to login, and I when I saw that the customary “do you want to receive our marketing bumph” was pre-checked I was unimpressed, but not hugely surprised, most guys do this. So I immediately opted out, and carried on, slightly miffed.

First mail I got from them, immediately following my opt out, was this:

Aaarg. No dude, I’m not an idiot, I knew exactly what I was doing when I unchecked your box.

That’s not the worst of it though. Every time you login to the site and view your profile for anything, the sneaky bastards check the box again i.e. you need to opt out repeatedly.

Have they learnt nothing?

Gideon, I think you’re a marketing genius bro, so I’m assuming that you didn’t see this one, but please change it, it’s nasty.

When it comes to what I receive in my inbox, I should get the final vote. Otherwise you’re just a spammer, and there’s nothing fun or irreverent about that…!

The use of net-made stars in adverts and music videos is getting to be quite a common thing, one that I think won’t last too long (holding thumbs).

Weezer got in early with this music vid including quite a few of the vids we’ve all seen more than once.

South African internet star Vernon Koekemoer has been snatched up by Vodacom, Nando’s(including a fake Chuck), and more lately for the SA band Evolver music vid, Pretty thing.

Crazy how, for most of them, being an idiot makes you famous. Although, one certain idiot did make president of the US…

I love the Nintendo Wii. The fact that you can box without the blood, fish without the scaling or shoot ducks from the comfort of your living room chair is awesome. It’s all very lazy and keeps you indoors, for sure, but the Wii Fit takes it to a whole new level.

This parody vid, with added voiceover, accurately explains (IMAO) the Wii Fit.

Original full trailer here.

This Avis ad at the back of Sawubona magazine made me giggle like a schoolgirl.

Hahaha…!

…being an Interflora model.

Say it with flowers indeed…!

Some may call this selling out, I call it genius.

He’s making money. He gets to punt his latest hit in a different type of media. And he’s cool enough to be able to laugh at himself. Awesome!

South Africa, as I’m sure most countries do, has a lot of competition as far as low-cost air travel goes. I spent 2 hours watching Extreme Home Makeover and Ellen on the Series channel before this 1time ad came on again so I could tape it.

They take a big dig at, not only the airlines who add airport tax and the rest of it afterward, but specifically at Kulula.com, by the bright green uniform of the check-in lady.

Another Coke vs Pepsi scenario going on? Awesome.

Remember this Sony Bravia ad?

Then you just gotta love this (thanks BigGuy):

I LOLd…!