Lies, damned lies and statistics (about TEDTalks)

In a brilliantly tongueincheek analysis, Sebastian Wernicke turns the tools of statistical analysis on TEDTalks, to come up with a metric for creating the optimum TEDTalk based on user ratings. How do you rate it TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on at Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at