Dave Eggers is widely known as the author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, the 2001 gut-spilling book with the self-fulfilling title, and of this year’s gut-wrenching What Is the What. With his celebrity profile and philanthropic verve, he could be called the Bono of the lit world — especially since he was just announced to be one of three winners of the annual TED prize (awarded to U2’s frontdude in '05).

The San Francisco-based writer will get $100,000, which, judging from his past, he will probably direct to more needy pockets than his own. He also gets to pick a wish that, if granted, will better the world. The TED organization will direct its considerable resources to making that wish come true. Bono’s wish for one million American activists for Africa spawned the site www.ONE.org.

Neil Turok, the chair of mathematical physics at Cambridge University, and Karen Armstrong, author of several books on religion in the modern world, were also named 2008 TED prize winners. All three will announce their wishes at the 2008 TED conference on February 28.

TED’s an acronym for technology, entertainment, and design. The exclusive conference (by invitation only) began in 1984. A change in ownership in 2001 sparked a movement away from an intellectual “fluffer fest,” as stated by a fellow MOLI editor, to a forum where the world’s greatest minds come together to find solutions. The first TED prize was awarded in 2005; past recipients include Bill Clinton and filmmaker Jehane Noujaim.

Even before he became a bestselling spokesman for a largely unsung generation, Eggers was someone who cogitated and agitated for a world bigger than himself. He founded the magazine McSweeney’s as a vehicle for underpublished writers even before he became famous. He’s poured his earnings into the McSweeney’s/Believer world of artsy underground magazines and good-works tomes. He also founded tutoring labs and grants for teachers, an indication that perhaps his wish will involve leaving no children behind, for real.

Evelyn McDonnell is the MOLI View's Editorial Director and Natasha Bright is the Assistant Editor.