That's... huh. I think I'd actually rather it cost money. Then, at least, only rich people would be diluting the brand in this way--besides there being fewer of them, there's at least a small correlation between wealth, free time, and ability to immerse oneself in the liberal arts to the point that one can give interesting TED talks ;)
(Or, to be more cynical in a Robin Hanson-esque fashion, "get off the TED stage, low-status people we don't care to affiliate with!")
