Who or what is this TED dude and how is this different (or the same) as TEDxColumbus? We found out that both involve thinkers and doers coming together. Well, Cbus has a lot of that, and it will converge on October 11 for a big shindig, Out There. Right before we went to press, we found out that the main event, Out There, was sold out, but young up and comers still have a chance to engage in the TEDxYouth@Columbus on October 10.

TED started out in 1984 as a conference to bring together Ideas Worth Spreading from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design. Since then, the experience exploded globally. But not just that, individual communities wanted to get in on the act, and that's where Cbus enters the picture.

TEDxColumbus is an independently organized and operated event, but like TED programs, attendees will see a suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances that will provoke conversations that matter. There will also be TED Talk Videos, and as with all TED and TEDx programs, there will be no commercial, religious or political agendas. Whoa, where do we sign up?

COSI hosts the event on October 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 20 speakers and performers will take the stage to celebrate the fifth year of TEDxColumbus. The event sold out right before we pressed send on our e-news, but we did find out that organizers started a wait list, so you might be lucky enough to still take part.

The youth event, TEDxYouth@Columbus, still has seats for October 10 with the goal of Youth Inspiring Youth... Inspiring Columbus... Inspiring the World. Right on.