Pros
Swag from conferences, free bagels on M,W, F and beer tap in office.
Cons
When people think of TED, they assume it's this highly evolved place, filled with people who want to make a difference in the world. Likely the vision is one of spectacled, cerebral do-gooders who wax poetic on everything from String Theory to Aristophanes. The reality is that there are some of those people in our midst, but they are the minority. TED is every bit the rat's nest, political game of thrones that many other media companies in NYC are today. What makes TED worse is the delusion that it's somehow more evolved or above reproach. Most of the people here don't buy into the notion that we're making any positive impact, but they pretend that they do. They do so with a smile on their face and intense conviction in their eyes while they stab you in the back to promote themselves. There's cache in telling people that you work at TED, a non-profit, but don't for one minute think that they aren't Machiavellian minded snots deep down. Those that truly buy into the mission are the people that make this place great. They are sweet and smart and motivated and inspiring and I wish they weren't overshadowed by the mean spirited entitled, spoiled children that run this joint. Even worse is the toxic culture that goes overlooked here. We have this open work space that is supposed to promote collaboration but rather keeps people in conference rooms and telephone booths and mean girl kitchen tables, where you get a nasty look if you dare try to join. They talk of "keeping TED weird", which is such a sad contrivance I feel like sending an apology note to Austin. What's weird about TED is the lack of an HR presence. What's weird about TED is the lack of a career path. What's weird about TED is the blind eye towards bad behavior on the part of its managers. I've been around but I've never seen anything like this place. I'll leave somewhat less than I came and I assure you that most of you will too.