Forgotten Dreams of the Harbour Kingdom | HK Urbex | TEDxLingnanUniversity

hi guys how’s it going good afternoon

hi guys how’s it going good afternoon thank you everyone for taking the time

thank you everyone for taking the time

thank you everyone for taking the time to come out here I know it’s a bit far

to come out here I know it’s a bit far

to come out here I know it’s a bit far it’s out in the middle of nowhere

it’s out in the middle of nowhere

it’s out in the middle of nowhere and you’ve taken your lovely Saturday

and you’ve taken your lovely Saturday

and you’ve taken your lovely Saturday afternoon to sit in here and listen to

afternoon to sit in here and listen to

afternoon to sit in here and listen to us with with masks so I’ve made it a bit

us with with masks so I’ve made it a bit

us with with masks so I’ve made it a bit easier for you we’ve decided to wear

easier for you we’ve decided to wear

easier for you we’ve decided to wear masks so you don’t see how ugly faces

masks so you don’t see how ugly faces

masks so you don’t see how ugly faces also the reason we’re wearing masks is I

also the reason we’re wearing masks is I

also the reason we’re wearing masks is I want to reassure you that we are not

want to reassure you that we are not

want to reassure you that we are not wanted by the police

wanted by the police

wanted by the police we’re not terrorists and we’re not into

we’re not terrorists and we’re not into

we’re not terrorists and we’re not into any kind of kinky fetishes this is not

any kind of kinky fetishes this is not

any kind of kinky fetishes this is not fifty shades of gray this is 50 shades

fifty shades of gray this is 50 shades

fifty shades of gray this is 50 shades of Ted and we’re here to talk about

of Ted and we’re here to talk about

of Ted and we’re here to talk about shade 49th which is urban exploration we

shade 49th which is urban exploration we

shade 49th which is urban exploration we are H K of X which stands for Hong Kong

are H K of X which stands for Hong Kong

are H K of X which stands for Hong Kong urban exploration and we’re a group

urban exploration and we’re a group

urban exploration and we’re a group dedicated to preserving and documenting

dedicated to preserving and documenting

dedicated to preserving and documenting abandoned sites across the Asia Pacific

abandoned sites across the Asia Pacific

abandoned sites across the Asia Pacific region where one of the best-known

region where one of the best-known

region where one of the best-known groups in the area

groups in the area

groups in the area and we’re a diverse team hailing from

and we’re a diverse team hailing from

and we’re a diverse team hailing from all the efforts of the world my name is

all the efforts of the world my name is

all the efforts of the world my name is Jenkins and I am an urban explorer and

Jenkins and I am an urban explorer and

Jenkins and I am an urban explorer and my name is ghost obviously ghost is not

my name is ghost obviously ghost is not

my name is ghost obviously ghost is not my real name

my real name

my real name I wish it were but what is a name really

I wish it were but what is a name really

I wish it were but what is a name really but a label ascribed to us by society a

but a label ascribed to us by society a

but a label ascribed to us by society a label which we don’t have much control

label which we don’t have much control

label which we don’t have much control over unless we go through the processes

over unless we go through the processes

over unless we go through the processes of changing it which no one really ever

of changing it which no one really ever

of changing it which no one really ever does I think in Hong Kong some people

does I think in Hong Kong some people

does I think in Hong Kong some people can actually choose their name I’ve seen

can actually choose their name I’ve seen

can actually choose their name I’ve seen people called like Mickey Mouse and

people called like Mickey Mouse and

people called like Mickey Mouse and stuff like that weird names all the time

stuff like that weird names all the time

stuff like that weird names all the time so I’m choosing ghost this is obviously

so I’m choosing ghost this is obviously

so I’m choosing ghost this is obviously a play on gwai-lo

a play on gwai-lo

a play on gwai-lo because I am the white member of the

because I am the white member of the

because I am the white member of the team I’m the token white guy you know

team I’m the token white guy you know

team I’m the token white guy you know not the token black guy the token white

not the token black guy the token white

not the token black guy the token white guy anyway so this label that we have

guy anyway so this label that we have

guy anyway so this label that we have this name that’s given to us by society

this name that’s given to us by society

this name that’s given to us by society is also much in the same way we don’t

is also much in the same way we don’t

is also much in the same way we don’t have a choice over it much in the same

have a choice over it much in the same

have a choice over it much in the same way that we don’t have a choice over the

way that we don’t have a choice over the

way that we don’t have a choice over the jobs that we do and the society that we

jobs that we do and the society that we

jobs that we do and the society that we live in we live in a what is essentially

live in we live in a what is essentially

live in we live in a what is essentially a broken system a system that takes how

a broken system a system that takes how

a broken system a system that takes how we live we are made to pay taxpayer

we live we are made to pay taxpayer

we live we are made to pay taxpayer money without choice we have to that’s

money without choice we have to that’s

money without choice we have to that’s what you have to do and we live within

what you have to do and we live within

what you have to do and we live within these control limitations and

these control limitations and

these control limitations and restrictions laws restrict us from what

restrictions laws restrict us from what

restrictions laws restrict us from what we can do and where we can and cannot go

we can do and where we can and cannot go

we can do and where we can and cannot go so in this society our public taxpayer

so in this society our public taxpayer

so in this society our public taxpayer money that we pay is usually it adds up

money that we pay is usually it adds up

money that we pay is usually it adds up and they use it to pay for

and they use it to pay for

and they use it to pay for infrastructure they use it to pay for

infrastructure they use it to pay for

infrastructure they use it to pay for public services which is nice we get

public services which is nice we get

public services which is nice we get some nice parks that hang out in but

some nice parks that hang out in but

some nice parks that hang out in but often

often

often we get a lot of spaces which we don’t

we get a lot of spaces which we don’t

we get a lot of spaces which we don’t get access to and I find this quite

get access to and I find this quite

get access to and I find this quite criminal really so as a group we’ve

criminal really so as a group we’ve

criminal really so as a group we’ve decided to take it upon ourselves to

decided to take it upon ourselves to

decided to take it upon ourselves to explore these kinds of spaces whether it

explore these kinds of spaces whether it

explore these kinds of spaces whether it be infrastructure built with public

be infrastructure built with public

be infrastructure built with public money whether it be some abandoned

money whether it be some abandoned

money whether it be some abandoned school or abandoned site left on its own

school or abandoned site left on its own

school or abandoned site left on its own and I’m sure when you guys were coming

and I’m sure when you guys were coming

and I’m sure when you guys were coming out on the MTR there’s just loads of

out on the MTR there’s just loads of

out on the MTR there’s just loads of empty land and there’s a lot of

empty land and there’s a lot of

empty land and there’s a lot of buildings which had just left there

buildings which had just left there

buildings which had just left there derelict so we create alternate meanings

derelict so we create alternate meanings

derelict so we create alternate meanings by exploring these places and

by exploring these places and

by exploring these places and documenting them essentially we’ve been

documenting them essentially we’ve been

documenting them essentially we’ve been described as extremist anthropologists

described as extremist anthropologists

described as extremist anthropologists ethnographers hardcore history ographers

ethnographers hardcore history ographers

ethnographers hardcore history ographers psycho geographers trespassing

psycho geographers trespassing

psycho geographers trespassing terrorists and more essentially we are

terrorists and more essentially we are

terrorists and more essentially we are urban explorers but what is urban

urban explorers but what is urban

urban explorers but what is urban exploration in the broadest sense it is

exploration in the broadest sense it is

exploration in the broadest sense it is the exploration of abandoned man-made

the exploration of abandoned man-made

the exploration of abandoned man-made structures it serves completely

structures it serves completely

structures it serves completely different contexts and different

different contexts and different

different contexts and different functions but for me personally it is a

functions but for me personally it is a

functions but for me personally it is a form of escapism but of course there are

form of escapism but of course there are

form of escapism but of course there are the reasons why people do it in the past

the reasons why people do it in the past

the reasons why people do it in the past couple of years members from our group

couple of years members from our group

couple of years members from our group have traveled extensively across the

have traveled extensively across the

have traveled extensively across the Asia Pacific region and documented such

Asia Pacific region and documented such

Asia Pacific region and documented such sites as schools military bases caves

sites as schools military bases caves

sites as schools military bases caves and tunnels and it’s been really

and tunnels and it’s been really

and tunnels and it’s been really interesting bringing these stories back

interesting bringing these stories back

interesting bringing these stories back to Hong Kong because there is no other

to Hong Kong because there is no other

to Hong Kong because there is no other place like it from its colonial history

place like it from its colonial history

place like it from its colonial history to the sci-fi skyscrapers the document

to the sci-fi skyscrapers the document

to the sci-fi skyscrapers the document that’s very wharf our city today Hong

that’s very wharf our city today Hong

that’s very wharf our city today Hong Kong is a force to be reckoned with it

Kong is a force to be reckoned with it

Kong is a force to be reckoned with it is also a city of dualities there is a

is also a city of dualities there is a

is also a city of dualities there is a unique contrast here between dark and

unique contrast here between dark and

unique contrast here between dark and light all the new East and West and fast

light all the new East and West and fast

light all the new East and West and fast and slow now I grew up in Australia

and slow now I grew up in Australia

and slow now I grew up in Australia where because the topography is mostly

where because the topography is mostly

where because the topography is mostly flatland when you build you tend to

flatland when you build you tend to

flatland when you build you tend to build out and in Hong Kong because of

build out and in Hong Kong because of

build out and in Hong Kong because of the limited space you’ve only got two

the limited space you’ve only got two

the limited space you’ve only got two directions up or down and the most

directions up or down and the most

directions up or down and the most amazing thing about being in Hong Kong

amazing thing about being in Hong Kong

amazing thing about being in Hong Kong for exploration is there is no immediate

for exploration is there is no immediate

for exploration is there is no immediate sense of danger

sense of danger

sense of danger in Australia for example the abandoned

in Australia for example the abandoned

in Australia for example the abandoned buildings tend to be looted with

buildings tend to be looted with

buildings tend to be looted with syringes and other forms of drug

syringes and other forms of drug

syringes and other forms of drug paraphernalia Hong Kong really is a city

paraphernalia Hong Kong really is a city

paraphernalia Hong Kong really is a city of extremes as these stats show it is

of extremes as these stats show it is

of extremes as these stats show it is home to almost 7 over 7 million people

home to almost 7 over 7 million people

home to almost 7 over 7 million people there’s 200 Islands whoo-hoo who knew

there’s 200 Islands whoo-hoo who knew

there’s 200 Islands whoo-hoo who knew and it’s one of the most densely

and it’s one of the most densely

and it’s one of the most densely populated places in the world it is also

populated places in the world it is also

populated places in the world it is also because of this it is one of the it has

because of this it is one of the it has

because of this it is one of the it has one of the highest gaps between the rich

one of the highest gaps between the rich

one of the highest gaps between the rich and the poor the disparity between the

and the poor the disparity between the

and the poor the disparity between the advantage and the disadvantage is just

advantage and the disadvantage is just

advantage and the disadvantage is just shocking and I’m sure some of you have

shocking and I’m sure some of you have

shocking and I’m sure some of you have seen the

seen the

seen the when you walk around poor places like

when you walk around poor places like

when you walk around poor places like teickhoff choi toka one there’s really

teickhoff choi toka one there’s really

teickhoff choi toka one there’s really old buildings of people living in

old buildings of people living in

old buildings of people living in subdivided flats there was even a fire

subdivided flats there was even a fire

subdivided flats there was even a fire last week in which a poor old man died

last week in which a poor old man died

last week in which a poor old man died r.i.p the cat survived go figure

r.i.p the cat survived go figure

r.i.p the cat survived go figure they were actually doing they were they

they were actually doing they were they

they were actually doing they were they were doing CPR to the cat i don’t know

were doing CPR to the cat i don’t know

were doing CPR to the cat i don’t know if any of you guys saw this in the

if any of you guys saw this in the

if any of you guys saw this in the chinese media it was on Apple daily so

chinese media it was on Apple daily so

chinese media it was on Apple daily so thank God the cat survived are I paid to

thank God the cat survived are I paid to

thank God the cat survived are I paid to the old man but anyway this is the kind

the old man but anyway this is the kind

the old man but anyway this is the kind of state that these poor people live in

of state that these poor people live in

of state that these poor people live in and the government and the people in

and the government and the people in

and the government and the people in power they should be putting a roof over

power they should be putting a roof over

power they should be putting a roof over these people’s heads it’s terrible and

these people’s heads it’s terrible and

these people’s heads it’s terrible and basically it’s claustrophobic when

basically it’s claustrophobic when

basically it’s claustrophobic when you’re living in this society this is

you’re living in this society this is

you’re living in this society this is Thai culture these are some old

Thai culture these are some old

Thai culture these are some old buildings that we’ve seen that have been

buildings that we’ve seen that have been

buildings that we’ve seen that have been there for the past five years people

there for the past five years people

there for the past five years people have been kicked out of their houses I

have been kicked out of their houses I

have been kicked out of their houses I don’t know whether they’ve been put up

don’t know whether they’ve been put up

don’t know whether they’ve been put up in a government house probably smaller

in a government house probably smaller

in a government house probably smaller than the one they would have had and

than the one they would have had and

than the one they would have had and I’ve even heard stories of an old

I’ve even heard stories of an old

I’ve even heard stories of an old grandma who is living in her home for

grandma who is living in her home for

grandma who is living in her home for about 80 years with her family suddenly

about 80 years with her family suddenly

about 80 years with her family suddenly she got kicked out and she didn’t know

she got kicked out and she didn’t know

she got kicked out and she didn’t know what to do she had all her stuff she

what to do she had all her stuff she

what to do she had all her stuff she didn’t know what to do so she ended up

didn’t know what to do so she ended up

didn’t know what to do so she ended up committing suicide because she had no

committing suicide because she had no

committing suicide because she had no other choice her whole life her whole

other choice her whole life her whole

other choice her whole life her whole system had just been delighted just

system had just been delighted just

system had just been delighted just destroyed like that in a moment

destroyed like that in a moment

destroyed like that in a moment so Hong Kong’s dire housing problem and

so Hong Kong’s dire housing problem and

so Hong Kong’s dire housing problem and apparently and shortage is caused by

apparently and shortage is caused by

apparently and shortage is caused by cronies and acute cronyism

cronies and acute cronyism

cronies and acute cronyism and acute collusive capitalism and

and acute collusive capitalism and

and acute collusive capitalism and basically the reason for this is that

basically the reason for this is that

basically the reason for this is that there’s a the government has a lot of

there’s a the government has a lot of

there’s a the government has a lot of sites which they are sitting on and

sites which they are sitting on and

sites which they are sitting on and greedy real estate developers

greedy real estate developers

greedy real estate developers monopolizing developers land estate

monopolizing developers land estate

monopolizing developers land estate agents they are sitting on like hordes

agents they are sitting on like hordes

agents they are sitting on like hordes and hordes of land and we’ve been

and hordes of land and we’ve been

and hordes of land and we’ve been exploring and we found oh look at this

exploring and we found oh look at this

exploring and we found oh look at this abandoned school it’s not too far from

abandoned school it’s not too far from

abandoned school it’s not too far from here look at this fence bill look at

here look at this fence bill look at

here look at this fence bill look at this site and look at this look at this

this site and look at this look at this

this site and look at this look at this look at this these are all empty and we

look at this these are all empty and we

look at this these are all empty and we found hundreds of these statistically

found hundreds of these statistically

found hundreds of these statistically there’s over a hundred abandoned schools

there’s over a hundred abandoned schools

there’s over a hundred abandoned schools in Hong Kong now why are some people

in Hong Kong now why are some people

in Hong Kong now why are some people without a house when all these places

without a house when all these places

without a house when all these places are just sitting empty gathering dust

are just sitting empty gathering dust

are just sitting empty gathering dust nature is taking over so basically the

nature is taking over so basically the

nature is taking over so basically the government needs to stop acting like a

government needs to stop acting like a

government needs to stop acting like a business they need to stop handing all

business they need to stop handing all

business they need to stop handing all the land to all these greedy property

the land to all these greedy property

the land to all these greedy property developers who just sit on it waiting

developers who just sit on it waiting

developers who just sit on it waiting for it to reach a premium and then they

for it to reach a premium and then they

for it to reach a premium and then they are there sell it or they build

are there sell it or they build

are there sell it or they build miniscule tiny impetuses flats for

miniscule tiny impetuses flats for

miniscule tiny impetuses flats for people to live in and these rich people

people to live in and these rich people

people to live in and these rich people they buy them up and basically the local

they buy them up and basically the local

they buy them up and basically the local residents can’t afford them yeah now

residents can’t afford them yeah now

residents can’t afford them yeah now often a lot of these abandoned sites

often a lot of these abandoned sites

often a lot of these abandoned sites sitting in err former glory

sitting in err former glory

sitting in err former glory there is a melancholy to them because

there is a melancholy to them because

there is a melancholy to them because they are in effect forgotten dreams and

they are in effect forgotten dreams and

they are in effect forgotten dreams and often these forgotten dreams these

often these forgotten dreams these

often these forgotten dreams these sights are hidden right in front of our

sights are hidden right in front of our

sights are hidden right in front of our eyes so for example there is a void

eyes so for example there is a void

eyes so for example there is a void between Star Street and ship Street in

between Star Street and ship Street in

between Star Street and ship Street in Wan Chai where there is a supposedly

Wan Chai where there is a supposedly

Wan Chai where there is a supposedly haunted mansion yeah and entering these

haunted mansion yeah and entering these

haunted mansion yeah and entering these void is like playing a real-life

void is like playing a real-life

void is like playing a real-life videogame now why a quick show of hands

videogame now why a quick show of hands

videogame now why a quick show of hands who here has noticed all of these

who here has noticed all of these

who here has noticed all of these abandoned structures littered across the

abandoned structures littered across the

abandoned structures littered across the city anyone right so quite a few of you

city anyone right so quite a few of you

city anyone right so quite a few of you which makes the sheer number of them

which makes the sheer number of them

which makes the sheer number of them that actually exist in this city

that actually exist in this city

that actually exist in this city unbelievable

unbelievable

unbelievable which is the theme of today’s event

which is the theme of today’s event

which is the theme of today’s event clever it really is unbelievable I mean

clever it really is unbelievable I mean

clever it really is unbelievable I mean I as I said I found one hundred over a

I as I said I found one hundred over a

I as I said I found one hundred over a hundred sites we’ve explored a hundred

hundred sites we’ve explored a hundred

hundred sites we’ve explored a hundred sites together at least which have

sites together at least which have

sites together at least which have ranged from prisons as we listed earlier

ranged from prisons as we listed earlier

ranged from prisons as we listed earlier all the band and schools old abandoned

all the band and schools old abandoned

all the band and schools old abandoned public home care homes and history is

public home care homes and history is

public home care homes and history is being steamrolled and demolished right

being steamrolled and demolished right

being steamrolled and demolished right in front of our eyes sometimes we’ve

in front of our eyes sometimes we’ve

in front of our eyes sometimes we’ve been the last people to stand inside an

been the last people to stand inside an

been the last people to stand inside an apartment building or a school or a site

apartment building or a school or a site

apartment building or a school or a site or even a hundred-year-old mansion I

or even a hundred-year-old mansion I

or even a hundred-year-old mansion I remember before it got knocked down

remember before it got knocked down

remember before it got knocked down that’s a privilege that we had we were

that’s a privilege that we had we were

that’s a privilege that we had we were the last people there and so what we do

the last people there and so what we do

the last people there and so what we do is we have taken it upon ourselves to

is we have taken it upon ourselves to

is we have taken it upon ourselves to document these places and immortalize

document these places and immortalize

document these places and immortalize them we do it through documentation we

them we do it through documentation we

them we do it through documentation we preserve them through documentation if

preserve them through documentation if

preserve them through documentation if you like through photography drone

you like through photography drone

you like through photography drone ography and all other kinds of tactics

ography and all other kinds of tactics

ography and all other kinds of tactics that we’ll use and when you’re in an old

that we’ll use and when you’re in an old

that we’ll use and when you’re in an old historical building there’s just

historical building there’s just

historical building there’s just something about them they’re almost

something about them they’re almost

something about them they’re almost alive like you can you can taste the

alive like you can you can taste the

alive like you can you can taste the history you know compare this old

history you know compare this old

history you know compare this old building which is about 6070 years old

building which is about 6070 years old

building which is about 6070 years old that’s just option one near Soho to this

that’s just option one near Soho to this

that’s just option one near Soho to this brand-new spanking building a novelty

brand-new spanking building a novelty

brand-new spanking building a novelty which has more soul which has more

which has more soul which has more

which has more soul which has more character which was built with care by

character which was built with care by

character which was built with care by artisans by craftsmen which was built

artisans by craftsmen which was built

artisans by craftsmen which was built for money by capitalism with you know

for money by capitalism with you know

for money by capitalism with you know silver lining to reflect luxury you know

silver lining to reflect luxury you know

silver lining to reflect luxury you know and it’s manufactured it’s prefabricated

and it’s manufactured it’s prefabricated

and it’s manufactured it’s prefabricated that was probably made in faster time

that was probably made in faster time

that was probably made in faster time than that was made but that is a lot

than that was made but that is a lot

than that was made but that is a lot more beautiful and that’s probably gonna

more beautiful and that’s probably gonna

more beautiful and that’s probably gonna get knocked down one day now like my

get knocked down one day now like my

get knocked down one day now like my Gotham City Hong Kong is a character in

Gotham City Hong Kong is a character in

Gotham City Hong Kong is a character in and of itself and every location that we

and of itself and every location that we

and of itself and every location that we enter we treat like a character with its

enter we treat like a character with its

enter we treat like a character with its own history and its own backstory every

own history and its own backstory every

own history and its own backstory every location is treated with the utmost

location is treated with the utmost

location is treated with the utmost respect and we do so by following with

respect and we do so by following with

respect and we do so by following with very specific set of rules which are as

very specific set of rules which are as

very specific set of rules which are as follows take nothing but pictures leave

follows take nothing but pictures leave

follows take nothing but pictures leave nothing but footprints

nothing but footprints

nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time now with this

and kill nothing but time now with this

and kill nothing but time now with this thought process in mind I’d like to talk

thought process in mind I’d like to talk

thought process in mind I’d like to talk a little bit about our particular brand

a little bit about our particular brand

a little bit about our particular brand of urban exploration within the context

of urban exploration within the context

of urban exploration within the context of the Ted acronym so technology

of the Ted acronym so technology

of the Ted acronym so technology everything from body mounted cameras to

everything from body mounted cameras to

everything from body mounted cameras to drones and quad copters technology has

drones and quad copters technology has

drones and quad copters technology has very quickly become the best friend of

very quickly become the best friend of

very quickly become the best friend of the urban explorer we’re now able to

the urban explorer we’re now able to

the urban explorer we’re now able to achieve the kinds of shots that we only

achieve the kinds of shots that we only

achieve the kinds of shots that we only dreamt about a couple of years ago

dreamt about a couple of years ago

dreamt about a couple of years ago entertainment I spoke a little bit

entertainment I spoke a little bit

entertainment I spoke a little bit earlier about Eric’s being a form of

earlier about Eric’s being a form of

earlier about Eric’s being a form of escapism for me and growing up as a kid

escapism for me and growing up as a kid

escapism for me and growing up as a kid in the 90s my favorite form of escapism

in the 90s my favorite form of escapism

in the 90s my favorite form of escapism was point-and-click adventure games

was point-and-click adventure games

was point-and-click adventure games completely obsessed and in particular

completely obsessed and in particular

completely obsessed and in particular the mystery and exploration facets of

the mystery and exploration facets of

the mystery and exploration facets of that genre and from the content creation

that genre and from the content creation

that genre and from the content creation side of things we are one of the only

side of things we are one of the only

side of things we are one of the only urban exploration groups to regularly

urban exploration groups to regularly

urban exploration groups to regularly produce video content and we do so to an

produce video content and we do so to an

produce video content and we do so to an inform and to entertain and lastly

inform and to entertain and lastly

inform and to entertain and lastly design they say that you decorate time

design they say that you decorate time

design they say that you decorate time with music and you decorate space with

with music and you decorate space with

with music and you decorate space with art in urban exploration the space is

art in urban exploration the space is

art in urban exploration the space is the art and we’ve been lucky enough as a

the art and we’ve been lucky enough as a

the art and we’ve been lucky enough as a team to have a group of people comprised

team to have a group of people comprised

team to have a group of people comprised entirely of content creators from

entirely of content creators from

entirely of content creators from journalists videographers and designers

journalists videographers and designers

journalists videographers and designers and being able to view this particular

and being able to view this particular

and being able to view this particular type of history lens through these

type of history lens through these

type of history lens through these respective type that’s right these

respective type that’s right these

respective type that’s right these respective sets of eyes has been an

respective sets of eyes has been an

respective sets of eyes has been an unbelievable experience so I would like

unbelievable experience so I would like

unbelievable experience so I would like to end by asking you all the question

to end by asking you all the question

to end by asking you all the question picture something that is personal and

picture something that is personal and

picture something that is personal and memorable to you where this is a jewelry

memorable to you where this is a jewelry

memorable to you where this is a jewelry an old photograph maybe a body part even

an old photograph maybe a body part even

an old photograph maybe a body part even and now what if someone came along and

and now what if someone came along and

and now what if someone came along and stole that item from you cut off your

stole that item from you cut off your

stole that item from you cut off your finger maybe not cool right that

finger maybe not cool right that

finger maybe not cool right that wouldn’t be cool but this is what is

wouldn’t be cool but this is what is

wouldn’t be cool but this is what is happening to history in our city these

happening to history in our city these

happening to history in our city these historical sites belong to the people

historical sites belong to the people

historical sites belong to the people and the reason that history and heritage

and the reason that history and heritage

and the reason that history and heritage is important is because we need these

is important is because we need these

is important is because we need these places to tell us what we were what we

places to tell us what we were what we

places to tell us what we were what we were before and we need to learn from

were before and we need to learn from

were before and we need to learn from them from future generations they we can

them from future generations they we can

them from future generations they we can teach them what how the world was before

teach them what how the world was before

teach them what how the world was before if the society was all the same all

if the society was all the same all

if the society was all the same all brand-new Starbucks and shopping malls

brand-new Starbucks and shopping malls

brand-new Starbucks and shopping malls and everything like that it wouldn’t be

and everything like that it wouldn’t be

and everything like that it wouldn’t be interesting it would be homogeneous they

interesting it would be homogeneous they

interesting it would be homogeneous they were just all way the same and this we

were just all way the same and this we

were just all way the same and this we need an ecosystem it needs to have I’m

need an ecosystem it needs to have I’m

need an ecosystem it needs to have I’m not saying every historical building

not saying every historical building

not saying every historical building should be preserved but I think the

should be preserved but I think the

should be preserved but I think the government policy needs to be rethought

government policy needs to be rethought

government policy needs to be rethought a little bit if you like and that’s why

a little bit if you like and that’s why

a little bit if you like and that’s why I heritage matters so I urge all of you

I heritage matters so I urge all of you

I heritage matters so I urge all of you next time you see

next time you see

next time you see or old abandoned building maybe a

or old abandoned building maybe a

or old abandoned building maybe a mention more an old car even on the

mention more an old car even on the

mention more an old car even on the roadside spare a thought and think about

roadside spare a thought and think about

roadside spare a thought and think about how it came to be there and its history

how it came to be there and its history

how it came to be there and its history I’m not asking you to trespass I’m not

I’m not asking you to trespass I’m not

I’m not asking you to trespass I’m not aiding and abetting I don’t want to be

aiding and abetting I don’t want to be

aiding and abetting I don’t want to be an accessory to your crimes okay that’s

an accessory to your crimes okay that’s

an accessory to your crimes okay that’s why I’m wearing the mask all right but

why I’m wearing the mask all right but

why I’m wearing the mask all right but you know you might just find something

you know you might just find something

you know you might just find something about yourself and in exploring your

about yourself and in exploring your

about yourself and in exploring your environment because whenever I do

environment because whenever I do

environment because whenever I do something personally whenever I do

something personally whenever I do

something personally whenever I do something unpredictable and surprising

something unpredictable and surprising

something unpredictable and surprising when I’m using all my senses in these

when I’m using all my senses in these

when I’m using all my senses in these spaces when I’m exploring them it often

spaces when I’m exploring them it often

spaces when I’m exploring them it often leads to an interesting unexpected

leads to an interesting unexpected

leads to an interesting unexpected outcome if you already know about the

outcome if you already know about the

outcome if you already know about the predictable future you’re living in the

predictable future you’re living in the

predictable future you’re living in the past so spare a thought to your

past so spare a thought to your

past so spare a thought to your surroundings an environment and you

surroundings an environment and you

surroundings an environment and you might just learn a bit more about

might just learn a bit more about

might just learn a bit more about yourself as well we’ve been a chair of

yourself as well we’ve been a chair of

yourself as well we’ve been a chair of it thank you

it thank you

it thank you [Applause]