In 2006, Anderson took a transformative step by beginning to post TED Talks online for free. The videos quickly went viral, significantly expanding TED's global audience. Inspired by the success, Anderson redefined TED as a global media platform committed to “ideas worth spreading.” By 2015, over 2,000 TED Talks were available online, translated into more than 100 languages, thanks to an extensive network of volunteer translators.
TED's annual viewership has since reached approximately one billion views, positioning it as a major force in the dissemination of knowledge and innovation worldwide.
In 2009, Anderson took the idea of openness further by launching TEDx, which provides free licenses to local organizers to host independent TED-like events. Since its inception, TEDx has facilitated over 10,000 events and produced more than 60,000 TEDx Talks. The movement’s success inspired the creation of TED-Ed in 2012, which focuses on providing free educational content and tools for teachers and students. Another initiative, TEDMED, centers on advancements in medical science and healthcare innovation.
Despite TED’s widespread acclaim, it has faced criticism. Some commentators, including Martin Robbins of the New Statesman, have argued that TED Talks favor style over substance. Robbins likened TED’s tone to that of an evangelical movement, suggesting that the talks sometimes lack critical engagement and cater more to audience affirmation than rigorous debate.
In 2016, Anderson published the New York Times bestseller TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking. The book encapsulates his insights into effective communication, offering public speaking tips grounded in his years of experience curating TED Talks.
Chris Anderson married Jacqueline Novogratz in 2008. Novogratz is the founder and CEO of Acumen, a nonprofit dedicated to social impact investing and using entrepreneurial strategies to tackle global poverty. The couple had three daughters: Zoe, Elizabeth, and Anna. Tragically, their eldest daughter, Zoe, passed away in 2010 from carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 24.
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