« Nora York brings a new performance to New York May 3rd | Main | The TEDBlog has moved! »

09 May 2007

A good day for the world. The Encyclopedia of Life is launched.

Those of us in Monterey for TED2007 this year watched in awe as E O Wilson unveiled his inspiring TED Prize wish to create an Encyclopedia of Life. (You can see his talk here... or download it in HD.)

Eol_logo_header_2 In Washington DC this morning, we saw the first big step toward granting the wish. Five major scientific institutions, backed by a $50m funding commitment led by the MacArthur Foundation, announced the launch of a major global effort to launch the Encyclopedia.  The press conference included a video message from Britain's Environment Minister David Miliband who said the "full weight of the British government" was behind the project.  Ed Wilson told journalists today's announcement was a dream come true.

As Ed hinted in his speech back in March, this broad-based effort to plan the launch was already underway. But I am proud to tell you that members of the TED community, inspired by Ed's wish, played a key role in realizing what happened today.

In particular I'd like to salute the effort of Avenue A-Razorfish who in three short weeks were able to visualize a stunning design for the Encyclopedia and incorporate it in a video that is the centerpiece of the newly launched website.  Please take a couple minutes right now to watch this video. It does a spectacular job of explaining the purpose and vision behind the Encylopedia.  It is here at www.eol.org.  This work was done entirely pro bono, and is a wonderful example of the TED Prize at work.  Everyone at the launch today was blown away by it.

The video includes spectacular photography some of it contributed by TEDster Frans Lanting.  And the website itself was contributed by an individual inspired by Ed's wish. Programmer Ray Ratelis owned eol.org, a valuable web address which he freely contributed to the project.

Many more TEDsters are meeting next month to assist the project in brainstorming its architecture, technology and design.   It's proving an exhilarating example of the power of collaboration.

There are already many stories up online about the Encylopedia. Here's the official announcement.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/523823/18365848

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference A good day for the world. The Encyclopedia of Life is launched.:

Comments

Văn phòng Q.1 HCM từ 50 USD/tháng !
* Chỉ cần từ 50 - 120 USD/tháng, Công ty của bạn đã có thể sở hữu 1 văn phòng làm việc chuyên nghiệp tại Building 19 tầng ngay trung tâm quận 1 Tp.HCM.
* Thủ tục đăng ký đơn giản, hậu mãi chu đáo; có chiết khấu cho người giới thiệu (Hấp dẫn!).
* Vui lòng xem chi tiết tại: Van phong gia re Q.1 HCM - Virtual office Vietnam

http://www.goffice.com.vn - http://www.goffice.vn
hoặc gọi: 08.2200911

The video includes spectacular photography some of it contributed by TEDster Frans Lanting.


konteyner

prefabrik

prefabrik ev

Post a comment

This weblog only allows comments from registered users. To comment, please Sign In.

Who We Are

  • The TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference is an annual event where leading thinkers and doers gather for inspiration. (More at TED.com) The TEDBlog covers the same ground, on a rather more frequent basis.

What We Blog About

TED Bloggers

What We're Reading

  • Chris Anderson: The Long Tail

    Chris Anderson: The Long Tail
    Wired Magazine Editor Chris Anderson (not to be confused with TED Curator Chris Anderson) has expanded on the thesis in his original article to create a must-read book for anyone remotely interested in business, marketing or communication in the Internet age. It shows clearly how and why millions of new businesses and voices are flourishing in our new connected economy.

  • Daniel Gilbert: Stumbling on Happiness

    Daniel Gilbert: Stumbling on Happiness
    In one of the most brilliant pieces of science writing we've come across, Harvard Professor Dan Gilbert turns our ideas about happiness -- and ourselves -- upside down. Stumbling on Happiness isn't just profound. It's also unbelievably readable and funny. We urge you to give the book a try. It will change the way you think about yourself.

  • Cameron Sinclair: Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises

    Cameron Sinclair: Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises
    From one of this year's TEDPrize winners comes a book bursting with intriguing -- and often beautiful -- examples of how designers and architects around the world have created innovative housing for those most in need of it. You can't read it without feeling inspired...

Powered by TypePad