These TED Commandments are terrific. I've organized conferences and recruited speakers for large events before, and I wish I had had this list to distribute.

You’d be surprised how many people willingly violate #7 ("Thou Shalt Not Sell from the Stage: Neither thy Company, thy Goods, thy Writings, nor thy Desparate need for Funding; Lest Thou be Cast Aside into Outer Darkness"). These people don't get that you actually add get MORE value in return by talking LESS about yourself/company/service. Instead of gaining respect and people's attention, it just makes you look amateur and low-class.

Respectfully, I would also like to suggest adding an Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt respect the moderator and not attempt to flout speaker rules just to make you look like a 'rebel.' It makes thine self appear as an ass.

...Michael

--- Michael E. Rubin merubin@gmail.com // 847-370-3421 // twitter: merubin