Fernanda Viégas at TEDxSaoPaulo

Fernanda Viégas is a researcher and computational designer. Viégas has specialized in transforming data and statistics into visualization graphics. Her field of work has been dubbed 'data visualization,' and one of her most important projects was developing the website Many Eyes. In addition to accessing and posting comments on graphics that present visual statistics as diverse as the U.S. unemployment by state and the number of followers on Twitter, Many Eyes allows anyone to create their own graphics using the available data sets. The philosophy behind the system -- created within IBM and used by The New York Times -- is to foster public debate of diverse data. The idea is that more visual the data, the more information is perceived and consequently discussed.

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About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)