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TEDxNIU Conference 'Pushes Limits'

The popularity of TED-branded video lectures has skyrocketed in recent years. The Northern Illinois University chapter, known as TEDxNIU, will hold its own event this Saturday, featuring a variety of speeches. "Pushing Limits"’ will be this year’s theme.

NIU student Madeline Alger is co-director of the TEDx chapter. She explains that TED is a global nonprofit organization whose goal is to spread ideas across the world.

“And the main medium that they use for that (is) videos from professionals that can be about topics from anything from scientific research, to psychological findings, to a guy [who] found a really cool way how to skydive," she says. "And so, a TEDx is an organization that is independently organized.”

Alger believes the typical conference format can be repetitive.

“And a TED conference is different, right from the get-go. TED, in and of itself, is a relaxed environment that people are allowed to express their ideas freely, without judgment," she said, "and it’s one of the best conferences you can go to, to network with these people and branch out -- and especially because all of our speakers are coming from around the world.”

The TEDx conference takes place from 9 to 4 p.m. this Saturday at NIU’s Altgeld Hall. Tickets are available online through TEDxNIU’s website.

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