The 2007 TED Conference begins today in Monterey, California with a theme of: “Icons. Geniuses. Mavericks.” This is a broader theme than those of past TEDs. Instead of being based on a subject, the conference looks to provide a platform for, as the TED website describes them, “fifty remarkable people” to discuss any subject they feel passionate about.

The Business Week article, “Forget Davos: I’m Booked Up For Ted” makes a few interesting points about the TED conference’s growing focus on “do-goodism” and drawing celebrities to the annual event. It will be interesting to see if the shifting focus of TED can still appeal to tech geeks as it looks to up its’ hip quotient with more expansive themes, higher entry fees and a humanitarian angle.

For more exposure to TED without the $6,000 entry fee go to PodZinger and check out the TEDTalks videos. You may be in good company, as some of the old school TED enthusiasts have decided to sit this high-profile TED2007 out.