Beware a Dedicated Group of Amateurs | Jason Roberts | TEDxSMU

so I started my work as an IT consultant

so I started my work as an IT consultant so I was the guy that was actually up

so I was the guy that was actually up

so I was the guy that was actually up here like fixing your computers and

here like fixing your computers and

here like fixing your computers and setting for these screens but the

setting for these screens but the

setting for these screens but the interesting thing is my life took a big

interesting thing is my life took a big

interesting thing is my life took a big turn after I did a TED presentation and

turn after I did a TED presentation and

turn after I did a TED presentation and talking about the work I did in my

talking about the work I did in my

talking about the work I did in my neighborhood but a lot of things

neighborhood but a lot of things

neighborhood but a lot of things happened to me after that but just to

happened to me after that but just to

happened to me after that but just to kind of go back and tell you some of the

kind of go back and tell you some of the

kind of go back and tell you some of the stories of things that I did in the

stories of things that I did in the

stories of things that I did in the neighborhood really early projects where

neighborhood really early projects where

neighborhood really early projects where I had an old theater in Oak Cliff which

I had an old theater in Oak Cliff which

I had an old theater in Oak Cliff which is a neighborhood here in Dallas that

is a neighborhood here in Dallas that

is a neighborhood here in Dallas that where we’ve been stigmatized as the bad

where we’ve been stigmatized as the bad

where we’ve been stigmatized as the bad part of town for years and we had this

part of town for years and we had this

part of town for years and we had this old building that I would look at all

old building that I would look at all

old building that I would look at all the time and think of how can we bring

the time and think of how can we bring

the time and think of how can we bring this back to life and when I would talk

this back to life and when I would talk

this back to life and when I would talk to the Board of Directors that was

to the Board of Directors that was

to the Board of Directors that was trying to raise money he said we were

trying to raise money he said we were

trying to raise money he said we were having a hard time raising the millions

having a hard time raising the millions

having a hard time raising the millions of dollars that’s needed because there’s

of dollars that’s needed because there’s

of dollars that’s needed because there’s not a lot of philanthropy in our area

not a lot of philanthropy in our area

not a lot of philanthropy in our area because people think of this as the bad

because people think of this as the bad

because people think of this as the bad part of town so I thought well why don’t

part of town so I thought well why don’t

part of town so I thought well why don’t we gather just the community together

we gather just the community together

we gather just the community together and see if we can do something to change

and see if we can do something to change

and see if we can do something to change it so we realized we had a lot of people

it so we realized we had a lot of people

it so we realized we had a lot of people in our neighborhood a lot of artists so

in our neighborhood a lot of artists so

in our neighborhood a lot of artists so we brought a hundred friends out and

we brought a hundred friends out and

we brought a hundred friends out and said why don’t we get everyone to paint

said why don’t we get everyone to paint

said why don’t we get everyone to paint one piece of art each and then we’ll

one piece of art each and then we’ll

one piece of art each and then we’ll open up the theater and make it to an

open up the theater and make it to an

open up the theater and make it to an instant art gallery the next night and

instant art gallery the next night and

instant art gallery the next night and so we gathered people together and then

so we gathered people together and then

so we gathered people together and then moments before about to the doors we

moments before about to the doors we

moments before about to the doors we thought ok this is gonna be an abject

thought ok this is gonna be an abject

thought ok this is gonna be an abject failure like this is the middle of

failure like this is the middle of

failure like this is the middle of winter it’s a theater that’s been closed

winter it’s a theater that’s been closed

winter it’s a theater that’s been closed for 10 years and it’s in the bad side of

for 10 years and it’s in the bad side of

for 10 years and it’s in the bad side of town but when we open the doors we had

town but when we open the doors we had

town but when we open the doors we had 700 people show up and we sold every

700 people show up and we sold every

700 people show up and we sold every piece of art that we had created the

piece of art that we had created the

piece of art that we had created the night before so after that I was excited

night before so after that I was excited

night before so after that I was excited about other projects we take on so I

about other projects we take on so I

about other projects we take on so I looked at old maps in my neighborhood

looked at old maps in my neighborhood

looked at old maps in my neighborhood started trying to figure out like how

started trying to figure out like how

started trying to figure out like how can we get things happening again

can we get things happening again

can we get things happening again because we need more economics and

because we need more economics and

because we need more economics and people we’re talking about the

people we’re talking about the

people we’re talking about the businesses we need and things weren’t

businesses we need and things weren’t

businesses we need and things weren’t occurring anymore so I started looking

occurring anymore so I started looking

occurring anymore so I started looking about what what we used to have and

about what what we used to have and

about what what we used to have and realize we just have an old trolley

realize we just have an old trolley

realize we just have an old trolley system so I talked to some people at the

system so I talked to some people at the

system so I talked to some people at the Chamber of Commerce’s and other meetings

Chamber of Commerce’s and other meetings

Chamber of Commerce’s and other meetings and said I’ve got an idea why don’t we

and said I’ve got an idea why don’t we

and said I’ve got an idea why don’t we bring back our trolley car system and

bring back our trolley car system and

bring back our trolley car system and they said that’s crazy it’s been gone

they said that’s crazy it’s been gone

they said that’s crazy it’s been gone for half a century you just can’t bring

for half a century you just can’t bring

for half a century you just can’t bring those back but I didn’t know much about

those back but I didn’t know much about

those back but I didn’t know much about streetcars but I knew a lot about a

streetcars but I knew a lot about a

streetcars but I knew a lot about a building website because I was an IT guy

building website because I was an IT guy

building website because I was an IT guy so I went home that night I built a fake

so I went home that night I built a fake

so I went home that night I built a fake website called the Oak Cliff Transit

website called the Oak Cliff Transit

website called the Oak Cliff Transit Authority he looked really official and

Authority he looked really official and

Authority he looked really official and I had European trams and all this kind

I had European trams and all this kind

I had European trams and all this kind of great information on the site and

of great information on the site and

of great information on the site and then the next week the Dallas Morning

then the next week the Dallas Morning

then the next week the Dallas Morning News did a story called dreaming of the

News did a story called dreaming of the

News did a story called dreaming of the day the streetcars returned that’s what

day the streetcars returned that’s what

day the streetcars returned that’s what Jason Roberts and other members of the

Jason Roberts and other members of the

Jason Roberts and other members of the recently formed Oak Cliff Transit

recently formed Oak Cliff Transit

recently formed Oak Cliff Transit Authority are hoping but there were no

Authority are hoping but there were no

Authority are hoping but there were no other members but what happened is

other members but what happened is

other members but what happened is shorter order was I had people in my

shorter order was I had people in my

shorter order was I had people in my neighborhood call me and said we want to

neighborhood call me and said we want to

neighborhood call me and said we want to get involved we want to

get involved we want to

get involved we want to help we want to see what we can do to

help we want to see what we can do to

help we want to see what we can do to take part in this project and we started

take part in this project and we started

take part in this project and we started applying for grants around the around

applying for grants around the around

applying for grants around the around the country and we found one grant

the country and we found one grant

the country and we found one grant called the tiger grant

called the tiger grant

called the tiger grant and we were told we told the city of

and we were told we told the city of

and we were told we told the city of Dallas like look we want to apply for

Dallas like look we want to apply for

Dallas like look we want to apply for this grant they said good luck Oh cliff

this grant they said good luck Oh cliff

this grant they said good luck Oh cliff apply it all you want so we said okay

apply it all you want so we said okay

apply it all you want so we said okay let’s see what it will happen

let’s see what it will happen

let’s see what it will happen we had a point three percent chance of

we had a point three percent chance of

we had a point three percent chance of getting any money whatsoever but what

getting any money whatsoever but what

getting any money whatsoever but what occurred was we won millions of dollars

occurred was we won millions of dollars

occurred was we won millions of dollars and it’s not taking decades to bring the

and it’s not taking decades to bring the

and it’s not taking decades to bring the streetcar back it’s back again now this

streetcar back it’s back again now this

streetcar back it’s back again now this is a picture of us riding with the

is a picture of us riding with the

is a picture of us riding with the streetcar here again just last year so

streetcar here again just last year so

streetcar here again just last year so the last project that one that really

the last project that one that really

the last project that one that really defined my career now was this idea of

defined my career now was this idea of

defined my career now was this idea of looking at the blocks in her

looking at the blocks in her

looking at the blocks in her neighborhood and trying to understand

neighborhood and trying to understand

neighborhood and trying to understand what’s causing them to have problems and

what’s causing them to have problems and

what’s causing them to have problems and realizing that a lot of them had high

realizing that a lot of them had high

realizing that a lot of them had high vacancies we had empty streets we had no

vacancies we had empty streets we had no

vacancies we had empty streets we had no landscaping the zoning had been changed

landscaping the zoning had been changed

landscaping the zoning had been changed from light from retail to light

from light from retail to light

from light from retail to light industrial and then we created all these

industrial and then we created all these

industrial and then we created all these laws and rules that either made it

laws and rules that either made it

laws and rules that either made it illegal or cost prohibitive to make

illegal or cost prohibitive to make

illegal or cost prohibitive to make these places come to life so if we went

these places come to life so if we went

these places come to life so if we went in flowers on the sidewalk it was $1,000

in flowers on the sidewalk it was $1,000

in flowers on the sidewalk it was $1,000 in permitting if we want to have cafes

in permitting if we want to have cafes

in permitting if we want to have cafes $1,000 and it was illegal for crowds to

$1,000 and it was illegal for crowds to

$1,000 and it was illegal for crowds to gather so we realized it was illegal for

gather so we realized it was illegal for

gather so we realized it was illegal for us to do anything to make this place

us to do anything to make this place

us to do anything to make this place come to life on its own so what would

come to life on its own so what would

come to life on its own so what would happen if we broke every law we possibly

happen if we broke every law we possibly

happen if we broke every law we possibly could to make this the kind of block we

could to make this the kind of block we

could to make this the kind of block we wish we would always had so that’s what

wish we would always had so that’s what

wish we would always had so that’s what we did we painted her own bike lanes

we did we painted her own bike lanes

we did we painted her own bike lanes we added her own cafe seating we painted

we added her own cafe seating we painted

we added her own cafe seating we painted murals on the buildings we took the

murals on the buildings we took the

murals on the buildings we took the empty buildings and we put businesses

empty buildings and we put businesses

empty buildings and we put businesses that we wish we always had so coffee

that we wish we always had so coffee

that we wish we always had so coffee shops flower shops bookstores art spaces

shops flower shops bookstores art spaces

shops flower shops bookstores art spaces and then we printed off the laws and the

and then we printed off the laws and the

and then we printed off the laws and the rules we were breaking we invited our

rules we were breaking we invited our

rules we were breaking we invited our city staff and our mayor out thinking

city staff and our mayor out thinking

city staff and our mayor out thinking like okay we’re probably all going to go

like okay we’re probably all going to go

like okay we’re probably all going to go to jail but what happened was they said

to jail but what happened was they said

to jail but what happened was they said this is a much better block and we’d

this is a much better block and we’d

this is a much better block and we’d much rather have things like this occur

much rather have things like this occur

much rather have things like this occur and we have saw a lot of things happen

and we have saw a lot of things happen

and we have saw a lot of things happen afterwards a lot of these businesses

afterwards a lot of these businesses

afterwards a lot of these businesses started to stick we started to see the

started to stick we started to see the

started to stick we started to see the zoning rules change and think momentum

zoning rules change and think momentum

zoning rules change and think momentum occurred around our community based on

occurred around our community based on

occurred around our community based on this little project so one of the things

this little project so one of the things

this little project so one of the things that I started learning was this idea of

that I started learning was this idea of

that I started learning was this idea of like we need to start get away from our

like we need to start get away from our

like we need to start get away from our Dallas’s motto of think big and maybe

Dallas’s motto of think big and maybe

Dallas’s motto of think big and maybe because what think big does for us right

because what think big does for us right

because what think big does for us right now is it means we’re gonna take a

now is it means we’re gonna take a

now is it means we’re gonna take a hundred million dollars and spin it on

hundred million dollars and spin it on

hundred million dollars and spin it on this this giant bridge that we hope

this this giant bridge that we hope

this this giant bridge that we hope that’s gonna bring out a hundred little

that’s gonna bring out a hundred little

that’s gonna bring out a hundred little things in our neighborhood but what we

things in our neighborhood but what we

things in our neighborhood but what we found is the reality the places that I

found is the reality the places that I

found is the reality the places that I love around the world whether it’s in

love around the world whether it’s in

love around the world whether it’s in New York or Paris or New Orleans there

New York or Paris or New Orleans there

New York or Paris or New Orleans there are these little blocks I go to all the

are these little blocks I go to all the

are these little blocks I go to all the time that have this little coffee shops

time that have this little coffee shops

time that have this little coffee shops and flower shops and bookstores and it’s

and flower shops and bookstores and it’s

and flower shops and bookstores and it’s a community we can create a hundred

a community we can create a hundred

a community we can create a hundred little things a lot faster than we do

little things a lot faster than we do

little things a lot faster than we do these one big things that we hope make a

these one big things that we hope make a

these one big things that we hope make a lot of little things and we found we can

lot of little things and we found we can

lot of little things and we found we can use special things from the hardware

use special things from the hardware

use special things from the hardware store

store

store simple thing from the hardware store so

simple thing from the hardware store so

simple thing from the hardware store so white duct tape looks just like the

white duct tape looks just like the

white duct tape looks just like the thermoplastic paint the city’s used to

thermoplastic paint the city’s used to

thermoplastic paint the city’s used to paint stripes in the ground we can use

paint stripes in the ground we can use

paint stripes in the ground we can use straw wattles that they use to keep

straw wattles that they use to keep

straw wattles that they use to keep erosion and trash out of the gutters

erosion and trash out of the gutters

erosion and trash out of the gutters during construction and make new curbs

during construction and make new curbs

during construction and make new curbs we can take the graphics on city buses

we can take the graphics on city buses

we can take the graphics on city buses and we can make crosswalks then we can

and we can make crosswalks then we can

and we can make crosswalks then we can go look at intersections that are too

go look at intersections that are too

go look at intersections that are too wide and we can talk to the city and say

wide and we can talk to the city and say

wide and we can talk to the city and say this one intersection is too fast and

this one intersection is too fast and

this one intersection is too fast and too scary and we want to fix it they’ll

too scary and we want to fix it they’ll

too scary and we want to fix it they’ll say it’s gonna take millions of dollars

say it’s gonna take millions of dollars

say it’s gonna take millions of dollars in years to fix and we say don’t worry

in years to fix and we say don’t worry

in years to fix and we say don’t worry about it we’ll do it ourselves over a

about it we’ll do it ourselves over a

about it we’ll do it ourselves over a weekend like this now

weekend like this now

weekend like this now so since that time we started getting

so since that time we started getting

so since that time we started getting all these people calling us around the

all these people calling us around the

all these people calling us around the country to help them with their own

country to help them with their own

country to help them with their own projects and they started asking these

projects and they started asking these

projects and they started asking these questions like well how do you end up

questions like well how do you end up

questions like well how do you end up breaking all these rules and laws I

breaking all these rules and laws I

breaking all these rules and laws I thought I said you know I find it can

thought I said you know I find it can

thought I said you know I find it can break any rule you want as long as you

break any rule you want as long as you

break any rule you want as long as you were an orange vest and our work started

were an orange vest and our work started

were an orange vest and our work started going crazy all round in the country so

going crazy all round in the country so

going crazy all round in the country so a lot of things started happening for us

a lot of things started happening for us

a lot of things started happening for us we started people from Memphis calling

we started people from Memphis calling

we started people from Memphis calling us people in Baltimore started calling

us people in Baltimore started calling

us people in Baltimore started calling us people in Florida and so we realized

us people in Florida and so we realized

us people in Florida and so we realized we had something going on here and we

we had something going on here and we

we had something going on here and we needed to build on this and then the

needed to build on this and then the

needed to build on this and then the next year the project went all the way

next year the project went all the way

next year the project went all the way around the world so went from Melbourne

around the world so went from Melbourne

around the world so went from Melbourne Australia to Tehran Iran and when people

Australia to Tehran Iran and when people

Australia to Tehran Iran and when people in Tehran and called and asked about

in Tehran and called and asked about

in Tehran and called and asked about breaking laws were like I don’t know

breaking laws were like I don’t know

breaking laws were like I don’t know about breaking laws and Tehran Iran and

about breaking laws and Tehran Iran and

about breaking laws and Tehran Iran and then other great things started

then other great things started

then other great things started happening beyond that so we started

happening beyond that so we started

happening beyond that so we started getting to have dinner with dinners with

getting to have dinner with dinners with

getting to have dinner with dinners with the first lady

the first lady

the first lady we started a restaurant with neighbors

we started a restaurant with neighbors

we started a restaurant with neighbors and friends from our better block

and friends from our better block

and friends from our better block projects I decided to run for US

projects I decided to run for US

projects I decided to run for US Congress because we had a free April so

Congress because we had a free April so

Congress because we had a free April so all these cool things were happening and

all these cool things were happening and

all these cool things were happening and thinking well what can stop us what can

thinking well what can stop us what can

thinking well what can stop us what can we can transform anything in our

we can transform anything in our

we can transform anything in our neighborhood and we can do it quickly

neighborhood and we can do it quickly

neighborhood and we can do it quickly but the one thing that stopped me

but the one thing that stopped me

but the one thing that stopped me completely in my tracks was in 2012 I

completely in my tracks was in 2012 I

completely in my tracks was in 2012 I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and

was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and

was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer and then everything stopped and at that

then everything stopped and at that

then everything stopped and at that point I had to sit and think about well

point I had to sit and think about well

point I had to sit and think about well what was all this for why are we doing

what was all this for why are we doing

what was all this for why are we doing all these things I’m not even going to

all these things I’m not even going to

all these things I’m not even going to be alive to see all these things grow to

be alive to see all these things grow to

be alive to see all these things grow to see these great blocks occur to see

see these great blocks occur to see

see these great blocks occur to see wonderful things happen in my

wonderful things happen in my

wonderful things happen in my neighborhood that we help plant seeds

neighborhood that we help plant seeds

neighborhood that we help plant seeds for so it gave me a chance to stop and

for so it gave me a chance to stop and

for so it gave me a chance to stop and think about okay what’s going on here so

think about okay what’s going on here so

think about okay what’s going on here so after I’m taking this chemotherapy and

after I’m taking this chemotherapy and

after I’m taking this chemotherapy and I’m and I’m going through all this

I’m and I’m going through all this

I’m and I’m going through all this barrage of treatments I’m still having

barrage of treatments I’m still having

barrage of treatments I’m still having to work and looking at places around the

to work and looking at places around the

to work and looking at places around the world and but I’m now at this point I’m

world and but I’m now at this point I’m

world and but I’m now at this point I’m thinking a lot more philosophically

thinking a lot more philosophically

thinking a lot more philosophically about the things that we’re doing one of

about the things that we’re doing one of

about the things that we’re doing one of the things we started realizing was we

the things we started realizing was we

the things we started realizing was we have two ways that we can build our

have two ways that we can build our

have two ways that we can build our communities either based on fear or

communities either based on fear or

communities either based on fear or based on love and when we build our

based on love and when we build our

based on love and when we build our places based on

places based on

places based on year we put bars on the windows we don’t

year we put bars on the windows we don’t

year we put bars on the windows we don’t put sidewalks out because we don’t want

put sidewalks out because we don’t want

put sidewalks out because we don’t want kids to cross the street cuz we’re

kids to cross the street cuz we’re

kids to cross the street cuz we’re afraid they’re gonna get hit by cars or

afraid they’re gonna get hit by cars or

afraid they’re gonna get hit by cars or we put benches out that we put railings

we put benches out that we put railings

we put benches out that we put railings on because we’re afraid homeless people

on because we’re afraid homeless people

on because we’re afraid homeless people will lay down on them and what happens

will lay down on them and what happens

will lay down on them and what happens when we create places based on our fears

when we create places based on our fears

when we create places based on our fears is they become inhospitable and inhumane

is they become inhospitable and inhumane

is they become inhospitable and inhumane in places that nobody wants to be around

in places that nobody wants to be around

in places that nobody wants to be around as opposed to building places that are

as opposed to building places that are

as opposed to building places that are based on love where we care about people

based on love where we care about people

based on love where we care about people or we think about bringing people

or we think about bringing people

or we think about bringing people together and holding each other and

together and holding each other and

together and holding each other and places that are built on love those are

places that are built on love those are

places that are built on love those are the places that we want to be in in

the places that we want to be in in

the places that we want to be in in beauty this idea of like how do we get

beauty this idea of like how do we get

beauty this idea of like how do we get more beautiful places in our community

more beautiful places in our community

more beautiful places in our community how do we realize that all the places we

how do we realize that all the places we

how do we realize that all the places we have now are lacking in beauty look I

have now are lacking in beauty look I

have now are lacking in beauty look I referenced this picture a lot this is

referenced this picture a lot this is

referenced this picture a lot this is actually in Walmart Paris I looked at

actually in Walmart Paris I looked at

actually in Walmart Paris I looked at this when I first saw this picture and I

this when I first saw this picture and I

this when I first saw this picture and I said man I wish this was in my

said man I wish this was in my

said man I wish this was in my neighborhood if it was there I would go

neighborhood if it was there I would go

neighborhood if it was there I would go have coffee here every single day I love

have coffee here every single day I love

have coffee here every single day I love I I would let my kids to work here I

I I would let my kids to work here I

I I would let my kids to work here I love the landscaping how it spills out

love the landscaping how it spills out

love the landscaping how it spills out on the building I would love to work on

on the building I would love to work on

on the building I would love to work on top of this space and be here all the

top of this space and be here all the

top of this space and be here all the time

time

time other people in my neighborhood they

other people in my neighborhood they

other people in my neighborhood they said well we wish we had this in our

said well we wish we had this in our

said well we wish we had this in our neighborhood as well we put on our

neighborhood as well we put on our

neighborhood as well we put on our postcards we’d have our kids work here

postcards we’d have our kids work here

postcards we’d have our kids work here so I thought well we all collectively

so I thought well we all collectively

so I thought well we all collectively wish we had more places that look like

wish we had more places that look like

wish we had more places that look like this then why do we keep building places

this then why do we keep building places

this then why do we keep building places that look like this and that was the big

that look like this and that was the big

that look like this and that was the big realization was that a lot of these

realization was that a lot of these

realization was that a lot of these places that we’re building don’t matter

places that we’re building don’t matter

places that we’re building don’t matter they’re not places that people care

they’re not places that people care

they’re not places that people care about and there is a byproduct when you

about and there is a byproduct when you

about and there is a byproduct when you build a place in a way that people don’t

build a place in a way that people don’t

build a place in a way that people don’t care about it it doesn’t have a legacy

care about it it doesn’t have a legacy

care about it it doesn’t have a legacy it makes us feel like we’re don’t matter

it makes us feel like we’re don’t matter

it makes us feel like we’re don’t matter anymore

anymore

anymore romance okay this idea of when I brought

romance okay this idea of when I brought

romance okay this idea of when I brought out two cities now the amazing thing is

out two cities now the amazing thing is

out two cities now the amazing thing is we’re often I’m walking through the

we’re often I’m walking through the

we’re often I’m walking through the streets with the mayors and I’m walking

streets with the mayors and I’m walking

streets with the mayors and I’m walking through the streets with city staff and

through the streets with city staff and

through the streets with city staff and they’re looking at me now is the expert

they’re looking at me now is the expert

they’re looking at me now is the expert saying okay what should we do how do we

saying okay what should we do how do we

saying okay what should we do how do we fix this and every time I walk into a

fix this and every time I walk into a

fix this and every time I walk into a new environment I always have this kind

new environment I always have this kind

new environment I always have this kind of blurred look and I think I have no

of blurred look and I think I have no

of blurred look and I think I have no idea I have no idea even where to begin

idea I have no idea even where to begin

idea I have no idea even where to begin I don’t know where to start cuz again I

I don’t know where to start cuz again I

I don’t know where to start cuz again I was the computer guy wasn’t the urban

was the computer guy wasn’t the urban

was the computer guy wasn’t the urban planner but what I found is that we can

planner but what I found is that we can

planner but what I found is that we can all make beautiful great places as long

all make beautiful great places as long

all make beautiful great places as long as we focus on how do we make places

as we focus on how do we make places

as we focus on how do we make places feel romantic and the amazing thing is

feel romantic and the amazing thing is

feel romantic and the amazing thing is the places that we love in our cities

the places that we love in our cities

the places that we love in our cities are the places that people take their

are the places that people take their

are the places that people take their wedding photos there’s the play places

wedding photos there’s the play places

wedding photos there’s the play places that we bring our kids and we take

that we bring our kids and we take

that we bring our kids and we take pictures with them around there’s places

pictures with them around there’s places

pictures with them around there’s places with the murals we do it all the time

with the murals we do it all the time

with the murals we do it all the time whenever we didn’t make weddings we

whenever we didn’t make weddings we

whenever we didn’t make weddings we figure out great ways to put string

figure out great ways to put string

figure out great ways to put string lights up put pillows out and and lots

lights up put pillows out and and lots

lights up put pillows out and and lots of seating and great food and tables for

of seating and great food and tables for

of seating and great food and tables for everyone

everyone

everyone this is an idea that we have deeply

this is an idea that we have deeply

this is an idea that we have deeply baked into our and our communities and

baked into our and our communities and

baked into our and our communities and we do this all the time when we build

we do this all the time when we build

we do this all the time when we build these places based on this kind of

these places based on this kind of

these places based on this kind of romantic notion all right in an intimate

romantic notion all right in an intimate

romantic notion all right in an intimate scale the other amazing thing is I found

scale the other amazing thing is I found

scale the other amazing thing is I found that we used to build places all the

that we used to build places all the

that we used to build places all the time that looked like this for thousands

time that looked like this for thousands

time that looked like this for thousands of years this little small intricate

of years this little small intricate

of years this little small intricate streets little small storefronts all

streets little small storefronts all

streets little small storefronts all clustered together with a small winding

clustered together with a small winding

clustered together with a small winding streets the thing is these are places

streets the thing is these are places

streets the thing is these are places that we love to be in the places that

that we love to be in the places that

that we love to be in the places that look like this in our city now which we

look like this in our city now which we

look like this in our city now which we have very few of are the places that we

have very few of are the places that we

have very few of are the places that we all flocked into this day but 99% of our

all flocked into this day but 99% of our

all flocked into this day but 99% of our city does not look like this there are

city does not look like this there are

city does not look like this there are wide there sprawling they’re cold and

wide there sprawling they’re cold and

wide there sprawling they’re cold and they are grey alright so how does an

they are grey alright so how does an

they are grey alright so how does an individual go in and start making these

individual go in and start making these

individual go in and start making these changes if we understand all the

changes if we understand all the

changes if we understand all the problems so I had to look for ideas I

problems so I had to look for ideas I

problems so I had to look for ideas I was looking studying for concepts for

was looking studying for concepts for

was looking studying for concepts for other people around the world throughout

other people around the world throughout

other people around the world throughout history who had to make change and make

history who had to make change and make

history who had to make change and make change quickly one of the interesting

change quickly one of the interesting

change quickly one of the interesting stories I found was a story of Napoleon

stories I found was a story of Napoleon

stories I found was a story of Napoleon and and many people know that Napoleon

and and many people know that Napoleon

and and many people know that Napoleon was exiled to the AIA the island of

was exiled to the AIA the island of

was exiled to the AIA the island of Helena but before that he was actually

Helena but before that he was actually

Helena but before that he was actually exiled another time to the Isle of Elba

exiled another time to the Isle of Elba

exiled another time to the Isle of Elba off of Italy and the amazing thing was

off of Italy and the amazing thing was

off of Italy and the amazing thing was he was given sovereignty over that

he was given sovereignty over that

he was given sovereignty over that island and said he could do whatever he

island and said he could do whatever he

island and said he could do whatever he wanted there so what he did is he looked

wanted there so what he did is he looked

wanted there so what he did is he looked around and he saw an island full of

around and he saw an island full of

around and he saw an island full of impoverished people and he said okay

impoverished people and he said okay

impoverished people and he said okay well out of boredom like let’s see what

well out of boredom like let’s see what

well out of boredom like let’s see what we can do to fix this area we realized

we can do to fix this area we realized

we can do to fix this area we realized well okay first of all the the farming

well okay first of all the the farming

well okay first of all the the farming methods are from the Dark Ages so he

methods are from the Dark Ages so he

methods are from the Dark Ages so he updated those and then he realizes that

updated those and then he realizes that

updated those and then he realizes that the school curriculums were were two

the school curriculums were were two

the school curriculums were were two three hundred years old so I said well

three hundred years old so I said well

three hundred years old so I said well let’s update those then he realized that

let’s update those then he realized that

let’s update those then he realized that there were no natural like resources

there were no natural like resources

there were no natural like resources that were people were using to help

that were people were using to help

that were people were using to help generate an economy in the neighborhood

generate an economy in the neighborhood

generate an economy in the neighborhood so he found old iron mines from the BC

so he found old iron mines from the BC

so he found old iron mines from the BC times they got those working again and

times they got those working again and

times they got those working again and then he created an army and then lastly

then he created an army and then lastly

then he created an army and then lastly he created a navy and he got himself off

he created a navy and he got himself off

he created a navy and he got himself off the island he became the Emperor of

the island he became the Emperor of

the island he became the Emperor of France again and he did all of that in

France again and he did all of that in

France again and he did all of that in 300 days so it shows you that one person

300 days so it shows you that one person

300 days so it shows you that one person can go into a community look at all

can go into a community look at all

can go into a community look at all these things that people say our

these things that people say our

these things that people say our problems and align them in different

problems and align them in different

problems and align them in different ways to make things work again alright

ways to make things work again alright

ways to make things work again alright and the community is ingredients what we

and the community is ingredients what we

and the community is ingredients what we do now we go to communities as we look

do now we go to communities as we look

do now we go to communities as we look around and we try to understand like

around and we try to understand like

around and we try to understand like this is basically a recipe we’re making

this is basically a recipe we’re making

this is basically a recipe we’re making based on the skill sets and the assets

based on the skill sets and the assets

based on the skill sets and the assets and the resources of the community

and the resources of the community

and the resources of the community itself so we look around and we say okay

itself so we look around and we say okay

itself so we look around and we say okay what do we have here we’ve got cooks or

what do we have here we’ve got cooks or

what do we have here we’ve got cooks or we’ve got construction workers or we

we’ve got construction workers or we

we’ve got construction workers or we have we have people from we have ref

have we have people from we have ref

have we have people from we have ref G communities we have all of these great

G communities we have all of these great

G communities we have all of these great cultures that we can pull off and we can

cultures that we can pull off and we can

cultures that we can pull off and we can start looking at their histories and

start looking at their histories and

start looking at their histories and looking at the great things that they do

looking at the great things that they do

looking at the great things that they do as a society and figure out how to embed

as a society and figure out how to embed

as a society and figure out how to embed those into the environment again this is

those into the environment again this is

those into the environment again this is an example of a project we did in Akron

an example of a project we did in Akron

an example of a project we did in Akron Ohio where we had an Italian community

Ohio where we had an Italian community

Ohio where we had an Italian community we took a street that was too wide and

we took a street that was too wide and

we took a street that was too wide and worked with Italians and made it into a

worked with Italians and made it into a

worked with Italians and made it into a bocce ball court there were Bhutanese

bocce ball court there were Bhutanese

bocce ball court there were Bhutanese refugees in the community as well that

refugees in the community as well that

refugees in the community as well that we made stages for and we built decks so

we made stages for and we built decks so

we made stages for and we built decks so people could sit outside and eat

people could sit outside and eat

people could sit outside and eat Bhutanese food we looked at uh old

Bhutanese food we looked at uh old

Bhutanese food we looked at uh old parking lots that had been empty for 450

parking lots that had been empty for 450

parking lots that had been empty for 450 years and thought how can we rapidly

years and thought how can we rapidly

years and thought how can we rapidly transform these into people places so we

transform these into people places so we

transform these into people places so we found if we just got some dirt and some

found if we just got some dirt and some

found if we just got some dirt and some hay bales within two hours we can make

hay bales within two hours we can make

hay bales within two hours we can make an Italian Piazza we could take banks

an Italian Piazza we could take banks

an Italian Piazza we could take banks that have been closed for decades

that have been closed for decades

that have been closed for decades instead of looking at these and thinking

instead of looking at these and thinking

instead of looking at these and thinking okay the streets are too wide though the

okay the streets are too wide though the

okay the streets are too wide though the weeds are overgrown that’s gray nobody

weeds are overgrown that’s gray nobody

weeds are overgrown that’s gray nobody wants to be here and we ask the

wants to be here and we ask the

wants to be here and we ask the community what are the resources here

community what are the resources here

community what are the resources here and they say we have things we just have

and they say we have things we just have

and they say we have things we just have tires or we have paint so well we can

tires or we have paint so well we can

tires or we have paint so well we can take the tires and the paint together

take the tires and the paint together

take the tires and the paint together and we make beautiful plazas we also

and we make beautiful plazas we also

and we make beautiful plazas we also again we get really creative with the

again we get really creative with the

again we get really creative with the tools and the resources we use this was

tools and the resources we use this was

tools and the resources we use this was us in Detroit we were trying to build

us in Detroit we were trying to build

us in Detroit we were trying to build bike lanes in Detroit and realize we

bike lanes in Detroit and realize we

bike lanes in Detroit and realize we needed to have ballers but bollards can

needed to have ballers but bollards can

needed to have ballers but bollards can be expensive about $20 per bollard so we

be expensive about $20 per bollard so we

be expensive about $20 per bollard so we thought okay well what can we do to make

thought okay well what can we do to make

thought okay well what can we do to make this as long as possible and realize you

this as long as possible and realize you

this as long as possible and realize you know what we can use toilet plungers and

know what we can use toilet plungers and

know what we can use toilet plungers and PVC pipe it gets us the same type of

PVC pipe it gets us the same type of

PVC pipe it gets us the same type of infrastructure on the ground so we get

infrastructure on the ground so we get

infrastructure on the ground so we get really creative with these ideas and

really creative with these ideas and

really creative with these ideas and that brings us full circle back to this

that brings us full circle back to this

that brings us full circle back to this return to technology since I started my

return to technology since I started my

return to technology since I started my world on this IT consulting and trying

world on this IT consulting and trying

world on this IT consulting and trying to figure out what can house this play

to figure out what can house this play

to figure out what can house this play back into these problems that we’re

back into these problems that we’re

back into these problems that we’re dealing with right now because the

dealing with right now because the

dealing with right now because the problems are so big the scale is so

problems are so big the scale is so

problems are so big the scale is so large we have a lot of things that need

large we have a lot of things that need

large we have a lot of things that need to be fixed and need to be fixed rapidly

to be fixed and need to be fixed rapidly

to be fixed and need to be fixed rapidly so now what we’ve been doing is looking

so now what we’ve been doing is looking

so now what we’ve been doing is looking at the idea bringing in digital

at the idea bringing in digital

at the idea bringing in digital fabrication so you’ve heard of 3d

fabrication so you’ve heard of 3d

fabrication so you’ve heard of 3d printers you’ve heard of laser cutters

printers you’ve heard of laser cutters

printers you’ve heard of laser cutters and CNC routers CNC routers are

and CNC routers CNC routers are

and CNC routers CNC routers are basically wood that you could put

basically wood that you could put

basically wood that you could put plywood onto a machine that you attach

plywood onto a machine that you attach

plywood onto a machine that you attach to a computer and it cuts out into the

to a computer and it cuts out into the

to a computer and it cuts out into the series of these puzzle pieces that you

series of these puzzle pieces that you

series of these puzzle pieces that you can notch together without oftentimes

can notch together without oftentimes

can notch together without oftentimes without wood glue or screws and make

without wood glue or screws and make

without wood glue or screws and make these great things in fact if you look

these great things in fact if you look

these great things in fact if you look at though the work of Wiki house where

at though the work of Wiki house where

at though the work of Wiki house where they developing these houses and great

they developing these houses and great

they developing these houses and great things we started looking at those and

things we started looking at those and

things we started looking at those and thought that well if you can build a

thought that well if you can build a

thought that well if you can build a house with this stuff you can also fix

house with this stuff you can also fix

house with this stuff you can also fix your blocks

your blocks

your blocks so we introduced a new library called

so we introduced a new library called

so we introduced a new library called the wiki block library you can go to our

the wiki block library you can go to our

the wiki block library you can go to our website and see this where we’ve

website and see this where we’ve

website and see this where we’ve designed help worked with Kent State

designed help worked with Kent State

designed help worked with Kent State University and in architects in Saint

University and in architects in Saint

University and in architects in Saint Paul and other places to design all of

Paul and other places to design all of

Paul and other places to design all of these amenities like coffee shops and

these amenities like coffee shops and

these amenities like coffee shops and park benches and we’re working on bus

park benches and we’re working on bus

park benches and we’re working on bus stops now and things like that but

stops now and things like that but

stops now and things like that but people can go onto the website they can

people can go onto the website they can

people can go onto the website they can download a file they can go to their

download a file they can go to their

download a file they can go to their local makerspace with plywood cut them

local makerspace with plywood cut them

local makerspace with plywood cut them out and they can turn it into a chair

out and they can turn it into a chair

out and they can turn it into a chair and you can see we can’t get wood to

and you can see we can’t get wood to

and you can see we can’t get wood to Bend with these technologies so a lot of

Bend with these technologies so a lot of

Bend with these technologies so a lot of interesting things are happening here

interesting things are happening here

interesting things are happening here this is us with the coffee kiosk that we

this is us with the coffee kiosk that we

this is us with the coffee kiosk that we helped design with Kent State and and

helped design with Kent State and and

helped design with Kent State and and construct on site this is us in our back

construct on site this is us in our back

construct on site this is us in our back a lot of behind our office itself where

a lot of behind our office itself where

a lot of behind our office itself where we took the street and we created

we took the street and we created

we took the street and we created pedestrian islands and ball bounce

pedestrian islands and ball bounce

pedestrian islands and ball bounce because we found that you can reduce

because we found that you can reduce

because we found that you can reduce pedestrian accidents by 50% with these

pedestrian accidents by 50% with these

pedestrian accidents by 50% with these and the big questions now that we’re

and the big questions now that we’re

and the big questions now that we’re trying to tackle gentrification we get

trying to tackle gentrification we get

trying to tackle gentrification we get asked this question all the time what

asked this question all the time what

asked this question all the time what happens when you start fixing a place

happens when you start fixing a place

happens when you start fixing a place people want to be there when people want

people want to be there when people want

people want to be there when people want to be there the prices go up and when

to be there the prices go up and when

to be there the prices go up and when the prices go what people get displaced

the prices go what people get displaced

the prices go what people get displaced so we started looking at this idea of

so we started looking at this idea of

so we started looking at this idea of ultra replacement how can we get people

ultra replacement how can we get people

ultra replacement how can we get people to stay in this area the people that

to stay in this area the people that

to stay in this area the people that live here and then have them generate

live here and then have them generate

live here and then have them generate the economics from the area be make

the economics from the area be make

the economics from the area be make these areas economically generative for

these areas economically generative for

these areas economically generative for themselves so we started looking at

themselves so we started looking at

themselves so we started looking at these ideas of like if you see right now

these ideas of like if you see right now

these ideas of like if you see right now this is us and with in Akron Ohio where

this is us and with in Akron Ohio where

this is us and with in Akron Ohio where we bought a house and we’re working with

we bought a house and we’re working with

we bought a house and we’re working with Bhutanese refugees showing them how they

Bhutanese refugees showing them how they

Bhutanese refugees showing them how they can turn the house into an air B&B that

can turn the house into an air B&B that

can turn the house into an air B&B that they can stay in and make it this

they can stay in and make it this

they can stay in and make it this special Bhutanese centric air B&B so you

special Bhutanese centric air B&B so you

special Bhutanese centric air B&B so you can have this wonderful culture that you

can have this wonderful culture that you

can have this wonderful culture that you go to when you stay in Akron and there

go to when you stay in Akron and there

go to when you stay in Akron and there you’re also showing this community how

you’re also showing this community how

you’re also showing this community how they can generate revenue in the area

they can generate revenue in the area

they can generate revenue in the area and stay in these places and fix up more

and stay in these places and fix up more

and stay in these places and fix up more of the homes this is us actually

of the homes this is us actually

of the homes this is us actually yesterday in our parking lot

yesterday in our parking lot

yesterday in our parking lot we built a greenhouse it took us an hour

we built a greenhouse it took us an hour

we built a greenhouse it took us an hour and a half to put this together so if

and a half to put this together so if

and a half to put this together so if you imagine if we can build a greenhouse

you imagine if we can build a greenhouse

you imagine if we can build a greenhouse in an hour and a half in a day we could

in an hour and a half in a day we could

in an hour and a half in a day we could build a house and in a week we could

build a house and in a week we could

build a house and in a week we could build a neighborhood and you can add

build a neighborhood and you can add

build a neighborhood and you can add coffee shops and fix your parks and fix

coffee shops and fix your parks and fix

coffee shops and fix your parks and fix your plazas and all kinds of things this

your plazas and all kinds of things this

your plazas and all kinds of things this is an amazing technology that we have

is an amazing technology that we have

is an amazing technology that we have now our disposal to start fixing these

now our disposal to start fixing these

now our disposal to start fixing these places rapidly okay that brings us back

places rapidly okay that brings us back

places rapidly okay that brings us back to cancer and what I was left with so

to cancer and what I was left with so

to cancer and what I was left with so I’m sitting now at home and I’m after

I’m sitting now at home and I’m after

I’m sitting now at home and I’m after chemotherapy I’m sick and I’m on the

chemotherapy I’m sick and I’m on the

chemotherapy I’m sick and I’m on the ground I’m just wondering like how I’m

ground I’m just wondering like how I’m

ground I’m just wondering like how I’m gonna make it through another day

gonna make it through another day

gonna make it through another day when I was at my sickest and I needed

when I was at my sickest and I needed

when I was at my sickest and I needed help the neighborhood that I rallied

help the neighborhood that I rallied

help the neighborhood that I rallied together to help do better block started

together to help do better block started

together to help do better block started coming at my door and started helping

coming at my door and started helping

coming at my door and started helping take care of my kids they went and took

take care of my kids they went and took

take care of my kids they went and took my my son out fishing and they took my

my my son out fishing and they took my

my my son out fishing and they took my daughter to the movies and they started

daughter to the movies and they started

daughter to the movies and they started filling up my refrigerator with food and

filling up my refrigerator with food and

filling up my refrigerator with food and they started sitting with me when I was

they started sitting with me when I was

they started sitting with me when I was in my time of need and the amazing thing

in my time of need and the amazing thing

in my time of need and the amazing thing is what I got out of all this was a

is what I got out of all this was a

is what I got out of all this was a neighborhood in fact they gathered

neighborhood in fact they gathered

neighborhood in fact they gathered around me and started doing these build

around me and started doing these build

around me and started doing these build a better jason campaigns to help me pay

a better jason campaigns to help me pay

a better jason campaigns to help me pay for my bills so what I found is all of

for my bills so what I found is all of

for my bills so what I found is all of us are looking for this the sense of

us are looking for this the sense of

us are looking for this the sense of place this sense of belonging we all

place this sense of belonging we all

place this sense of belonging we all have this deep desire to be loved and be

have this deep desire to be loved and be

have this deep desire to be loved and be cared for and to care for others as well

cared for and to care for others as well

cared for and to care for others as well we all have feelings of isolation as all

we all have feelings of isolation as all

we all have feelings of isolation as all as well and if we know that we all have

as well and if we know that we all have

as well and if we know that we all have these these same issues what can we do

these these same issues what can we do

these these same issues what can we do to gather our resources together and

to gather our resources together and

to gather our resources together and start making our world a better place

start making our world a better place

start making our world a better place together and before I forget as of this

together and before I forget as of this

together and before I forget as of this month I was diagnosed as being four

month I was diagnosed as being four

month I was diagnosed as being four years cancer-free so I’m fortunately

years cancer-free so I’m fortunately

years cancer-free so I’m fortunately going to be just fine so with that thank

going to be just fine so with that thank

going to be just fine so with that thank you very much

you very much

you very much [Applause]