Rives is a poet by trade and a paper engineer by training. He has appeared on multiple seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam and he was the host of Bravo TV's Ironic Iconic America, which required him to drive around the United States with a supermodel in a red '67 Cadillac El Dorado. He realizes he gets some ridiculously sweet gigs. Rives is the co-host of the annual TEDActive conference and his passions include wordplay, rooftops and designing pop-up books. 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.) On January 14, 2011, Caltech hosted TEDxCaltech, an exciting one-day event to honor Richard Feynman, Nobel Laureate, Caltech physics professor, iconoclast, visionary, and all-around curious character. Visit TEDxCaltech.com for more details.