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Locating Social Change In Our Everyday Lives | Daniel Tal | TEDxYouth@Toronto


[Music]

[Music] when I was 24 years old I skateboarded

when I was 24 years old I skateboarded

when I was 24 years old I skateboarded across the length of New Zealand and I

across the length of New Zealand and I

across the length of New Zealand and I did it with one of my best friends we

did it with one of my best friends we

did it with one of my best friends we did it on regular short boards regular

did it on regular short boards regular

did it on regular short boards regular skateboards not long boards because

skateboards not long boards because

skateboards not long boards because we’re skaters and even though it was way

we’re skaters and even though it was way

we’re skaters and even though it was way harder that’s just the end of the

harder that’s just the end of the

harder that’s just the end of the discussion you know we skated down

discussion you know we skated down

discussion you know we skated down endless roads up and down countless

endless roads up and down countless

endless roads up and down countless mountains at one point we had to cross a

mountains at one point we had to cross a

mountains at one point we had to cross a Russian glacial River which was really

Russian glacial River which was really

Russian glacial River which was really dumb and super cold when it was time to

dumb and super cold when it was time to

dumb and super cold when it was time to eat food we would open up a can of

eat food we would open up a can of

eat food we would open up a can of spaghetti I don’t know if you’ve ever

spaghetti I don’t know if you’ve ever

spaghetti I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of canned spaghetti but it exists

heard of canned spaghetti but it exists

heard of canned spaghetti but it exists and we ate it three times a day at night

and we ate it three times a day at night

and we ate it three times a day at night when we had to sleep we would set our

when we had to sleep we would set our

when we had to sleep we would set our tent up on the side of the highway that

tent up on the side of the highway that

tent up on the side of the highway that we were skateboarding on which was

we were skateboarding on which was

we were skateboarding on which was actually pretty sketchy now that i’m

actually pretty sketchy now that i’m

actually pretty sketchy now that i’m talking about it in hindsight and

talking about it in hindsight and

talking about it in hindsight and thirteen hundred and sixty six

thirteen hundred and sixty six

thirteen hundred and sixty six kilometers later I realized that if I

kilometers later I realized that if I

kilometers later I realized that if I wanted to change the world I had to

wanted to change the world I had to

wanted to change the world I had to change how i was looking to do it it’s a

change how i was looking to do it it’s a

change how i was looking to do it it’s a really important thought to think about

really important thought to think about

really important thought to think about and it took me a long time before that

and it took me a long time before that

and it took me a long time before that skate started I was kind of just doing

skate started I was kind of just doing

skate started I was kind of just doing nothing looking at my phone scrolling

nothing looking at my phone scrolling

nothing looking at my phone scrolling through my facebook newsfeed and then

through my facebook newsfeed and then

through my facebook newsfeed and then refreshing and doing that again and I’m

refreshing and doing that again and I’m

refreshing and doing that again and I’m not alone a lot of people are like that

not alone a lot of people are like that

not alone a lot of people are like that it turns out that four in ten

it turns out that four in ten

it turns out that four in ten Millennials report spending more time

Millennials report spending more time

Millennials report spending more time with their phone than they do with their

with their phone than they do with their

with their phone than they do with their partner or their friends more time than

partner or their friends more time than

partner or their friends more time than they spend with their parents more time

they spend with their parents more time

they spend with their parents more time than they spend with their kids their

than they spend with their kids their

than they spend with their kids their children so what are we doing why are we

children so what are we doing why are we

children so what are we doing why are we doing this what are we looking for hour

doing this what are we looking for hour

doing this what are we looking for hour after hour I know when I started asking

after hour I know when I started asking

after hour I know when I started asking myself that question really started

myself that question really started

myself that question really started asking myself that question I realized

asking myself that question I realized

asking myself that question I realized that I’d been looking for something

that I’d been looking for something

that I’d been looking for something different I was looking for something

different I was looking for something

different I was looking for something new and what it turned out I was looking

new and what it turned out I was looking

new and what it turned out I was looking for was change but I wanted it to be

for was change but I wanted it to be

for was change but I wanted it to be really positive and I wanted it to

really positive and I wanted it to

really positive and I wanted it to affect as many people as possible and

affect as many people as possible and

affect as many people as possible and when I started thinking more about it I

when I started thinking more about it I

when I started thinking more about it I felt anxious I thought what strategies

felt anxious I thought what strategies

felt anxious I thought what strategies will I use where will I find the

will I use where will I find the

will I use where will I find the resources and how will I even begin

resources and how will I even begin

resources and how will I even begin as soon as those questions start flowing

as soon as those questions start flowing

as soon as those questions start flowing in I got overwhelmed and I got scared

in I got overwhelmed and I got scared

in I got overwhelmed and I got scared and suddenly I found myself back into

and suddenly I found myself back into

and suddenly I found myself back into that newsfeed wasting time but that’s a

that newsfeed wasting time but that’s a

that newsfeed wasting time but that’s a really common feeling a lot of people

really common feeling a lot of people

really common feeling a lot of people experience that anxiety I’m not alone in

experience that anxiety I’m not alone in

experience that anxiety I’m not alone in that so how do we change that feeling

that so how do we change that feeling

that so how do we change that feeling that starts in our hearts with a deep

that starts in our hearts with a deep

that starts in our hearts with a deep profound journey and feeling for change

profound journey and feeling for change

profound journey and feeling for change and ends with us just watching a video

and ends with us just watching a video

and ends with us just watching a video of a kitten in the mouse that are best

of a kitten in the mouse that are best

of a kitten in the mouse that are best buds how do we avoid that well when I

buds how do we avoid that well when I

buds how do we avoid that well when I think about that question I actually

think about that question I actually

think about that question I actually want to flip it a little bit so how can

want to flip it a little bit so how can

want to flip it a little bit so how can the fact that millions of people are

the fact that millions of people are

the fact that millions of people are watching this video of a kitten in a

watching this video of a kitten in a

watching this video of a kitten in a mouse that are best friends and they

mouse that are best friends and they

mouse that are best friends and they cuddle and it’s adorable because you

cuddle and it’s adorable because you

cuddle and it’s adorable because you can’t not watch that video but how can

can’t not watch that video but how can

can’t not watch that video but how can watching that video lead to deep ethical

watching that video lead to deep ethical

watching that video lead to deep ethical change flip it just a little bit so

change flip it just a little bit so

change flip it just a little bit so today I’m going to talk to you about a

today I’m going to talk to you about a

today I’m going to talk to you about a few things how you can raise tons of

few things how you can raise tons of

few things how you can raise tons of money for charity without changing

money for charity without changing

money for charity without changing anything you do how you can prevent

anything you do how you can prevent

anything you do how you can prevent billions of tons of waste from going

billions of tons of waste from going

billions of tons of waste from going into the landfill without changing

into the landfill without changing

into the landfill without changing anything that you do and how you can

anything that you do and how you can

anything that you do and how you can create clean renewable energy without

create clean renewable energy without

create clean renewable energy without changing anything that you do how I

changing anything that you do how I

changing anything that you do how I think that the potential for social

think that the potential for social

think that the potential for social change exists in everything we’re

change exists in everything we’re

change exists in everything we’re already doing we just need to change the

already doing we just need to change the

already doing we just need to change the way we’re looking for it so how are we

way we’re looking for it so how are we

way we’re looking for it so how are we changing the world by skateboarding

changing the world by skateboarding

changing the world by skateboarding across New Zealand well the guy that I

across New Zealand well the guy that I

across New Zealand well the guy that I was with was named Rob Dyer and he had

was with was named Rob Dyer and he had

was with was named Rob Dyer and he had started an organization called skate for

started an organization called skate for

started an organization called skate for cancer what he would do is escape from

cancer what he would do is escape from

cancer what he would do is escape from one side of a country to the other and

one side of a country to the other and

one side of a country to the other and while he was doing it he was hoping to

while he was doing it he was hoping to

while he was doing it he was hoping to raise awareness for cancer on top on top

raise awareness for cancer on top on top

raise awareness for cancer on top on top of that he would be providing preventive

of that he would be providing preventive

of that he would be providing preventive knowledge for young people to learn that

knowledge for young people to learn that

knowledge for young people to learn that was easy and proactive methods to

was easy and proactive methods to

was easy and proactive methods to prevent cancer but most importantly he

prevent cancer but most importantly he

prevent cancer but most importantly he wanted to inspire people with the

wanted to inspire people with the

wanted to inspire people with the thought that you can overcome any

thought that you can overcome any

thought that you can overcome any obstacle that you set your mind to as

obstacle that you set your mind to as

obstacle that you set your mind to as long as you set your mind to it so while

long as you set your mind to it so while

long as you set your mind to it so while we were on the road we were actually on

we were on the road we were actually on

we were on the road we were actually on a mission we were activists that was a

a mission we were activists that was a

a mission we were activists that was a really intense skate we saw a lot of

really intense skate we saw a lot of

really intense skate we saw a lot of different things we were welcomed by

different things we were welcomed by

different things we were welcomed by countless different people

countless different people

countless different people but what was most important about it is

but what was most important about it is

but what was most important about it is it sparked my interest in social

it sparked my interest in social

it sparked my interest in social innovation because it taught me to

innovation because it taught me to

innovation because it taught me to dramatically change the way i was

dramatically change the way i was

dramatically change the way i was looking at how i could accomplish it how

looking at how i could accomplish it how

looking at how i could accomplish it how i could change the world it all came

i could change the world it all came

i could change the world it all came down to just flipping it slightly fast

down to just flipping it slightly fast

down to just flipping it slightly fast forward a couple years to a time when i

forward a couple years to a time when i

forward a couple years to a time when i started an organization with a group of

started an organization with a group of

started an organization with a group of my best friends called dude box so dude

my best friends called dude box so dude

my best friends called dude box so dude box has raised almost 150 thousand

box has raised almost 150 thousand

box has raised almost 150 thousand dollars for charity but what is it that

dollars for charity but what is it that

dollars for charity but what is it that we actually do aside from it being a

we actually do aside from it being a

we actually do aside from it being a ridiculous name that I will have

ridiculous name that I will have

ridiculous name that I will have tattooed on my body for the rest of my

tattooed on my body for the rest of my

tattooed on my body for the rest of my life much to the chagrin of my mother

life much to the chagrin of my mother

life much to the chagrin of my mother I’m um it’s also a non-profit

I’m um it’s also a non-profit

I’m um it’s also a non-profit do-it-yourself third party fundraising

do-it-yourself third party fundraising

do-it-yourself third party fundraising organization which is a lot of words but

organization which is a lot of words but

organization which is a lot of words but what we actually do is we find really

what we actually do is we find really

what we actually do is we find really unique venues we fill them with people

unique venues we fill them with people

unique venues we fill them with people for a night we throw an amazing event at

for a night we throw an amazing event at

for a night we throw an amazing event at the end of the night when everyone

the end of the night when everyone

the end of the night when everyone leaves we return the venue back to the

leaves we return the venue back to the

leaves we return the venue back to the way we found it and then we donate all

way we found it and then we donate all

way we found it and then we donate all the money that we’ve raised charity it

the money that we’ve raised charity it

the money that we’ve raised charity it sounds pretty straightforward but we’ve

sounds pretty straightforward but we’ve

sounds pretty straightforward but we’ve encountered a couple challenges in the

encountered a couple challenges in the

encountered a couple challenges in the past like the time we had to turn this

past like the time we had to turn this

past like the time we had to turn this CrossFit gym into basically a nightclub

CrossFit gym into basically a nightclub

CrossFit gym into basically a nightclub for the name and then when everyone left

for the name and then when everyone left

for the name and then when everyone left we have to transform it back into a

we have to transform it back into a

we have to transform it back into a CrossFit gym this was the greatest work

CrossFit gym this was the greatest work

CrossFit gym this was the greatest work out of my life I don’t know what they’re

out of my life I don’t know what they’re

out of my life I don’t know what they’re doing with those giant tires but we had

doing with those giant tires but we had

doing with those giant tires but we had to lift them it was real tricky it all

to lift them it was real tricky it all

to lift them it was real tricky it all really started when we lived in this

really started when we lived in this

really started when we lived in this gnarly loft in downtown Toronto there

gnarly loft in downtown Toronto there

gnarly loft in downtown Toronto there was a group of us and we had this

was a group of us and we had this

was a group of us and we had this absentee landlord that just didn’t seem

absentee landlord that just didn’t seem

absentee landlord that just didn’t seem to care about basic things important

to care about basic things important

to care about basic things important things like plumbing heating I don’t

things like plumbing heating I don’t

things like plumbing heating I don’t know walls just had no real interest in

know walls just had no real interest in

know walls just had no real interest in those things but that was okay because

those things but that was okay because

those things but that was okay because we really didn’t care about them either

we really didn’t care about them either

we really didn’t care about them either what it led to was a recipe for house

what it led to was a recipe for house

what it led to was a recipe for house parties and we had a ton of those we

parties and we had a ton of those we

parties and we had a ton of those we didn’t do it to raise money we didn’t do

didn’t do it to raise money we didn’t do

didn’t do it to raise money we didn’t do it to make money we just threw parties

it to make money we just threw parties

it to make money we just threw parties because we thought it was fun but after

because we thought it was fun but after

because we thought it was fun but after years of people jumping on your roof and

years of people jumping on your roof and

years of people jumping on your roof and all through your living room your bed

all through your living room your bed

all through your living room your bed your bedroom your kitchen things kind of

your bedroom your kitchen things kind of

your bedroom your kitchen things kind of tend to fall apart I remember one time

tend to fall apart I remember one time

tend to fall apart I remember one time one of the guys went to the washroom

one of the guys went to the washroom

one of the guys went to the washroom when the party had ended and he was like

when the party had ended and he was like

when the party had ended and he was like oh dudes it’s gone

oh dudes it’s gone

oh dudes it’s gone and sure enough someone had taken our

and sure enough someone had taken our

and sure enough someone had taken our toilet so I’m going to take a half hour

toilet so I’m going to take a half hour

toilet so I’m going to take a half hour sink I don’t know why they did that but

sink I don’t know why they did that but

sink I don’t know why they did that but we learned how to build a bathroom that

we learned how to build a bathroom that

we learned how to build a bathroom that week and we were able to keep up with

week and we were able to keep up with

week and we were able to keep up with that kind of thing for a while but

that kind of thing for a while but

that kind of thing for a while but eventually with that many people coming

eventually with that many people coming

eventually with that many people coming for a place one really integral part of

for a place one really integral part of

for a place one really integral part of an apartment started disappearing and

an apartment started disappearing and

an apartment started disappearing and that was the floor it was sinking so we

that was the floor it was sinking so we

that was the floor it was sinking so we decided it was time to move we had to

decided it was time to move we had to

decided it was time to move we had to make a move but everybody kept asking us

make a move but everybody kept asking us

make a move but everybody kept asking us what what are you gonna do about the

what what are you gonna do about the

what what are you gonna do about the parties are going to still throw them

parties are going to still throw them

parties are going to still throw them and we thought yeah we would like to do

and we thought yeah we would like to do

and we thought yeah we would like to do that too so we looked around and we

that too so we looked around and we

that too so we looked around and we found a place where we could do it but

found a place where we could do it but

found a place where we could do it but they had expenses that we’d never

they had expenses that we’d never

they had expenses that we’d never encountered before and we figured the

encountered before and we figured the

encountered before and we figured the only way that we could afford to pay it

only way that we could afford to pay it

only way that we could afford to pay it was charge people a couple dollars to

was charge people a couple dollars to

was charge people a couple dollars to get into the party that also meant that

get into the party that also meant that

get into the party that also meant that there may be a little bit of profit but

there may be a little bit of profit but

there may be a little bit of profit but there was seven of us and we didn’t

there was seven of us and we didn’t

there was seven of us and we didn’t really want to pick her over who gets

really want to pick her over who gets

really want to pick her over who gets how much money couple dollars for that

how much money couple dollars for that

how much money couple dollars for that guy a couple dollars for that other guy

guy a couple dollars for that other guy

guy a couple dollars for that other guy we figured it would be bad for our

we figured it would be bad for our

we figured it would be bad for our friendship so we just all agreed let’s

friendship so we just all agreed let’s

friendship so we just all agreed let’s give it to charity now a couple of the

give it to charity now a couple of the

give it to charity now a couple of the dudes have some family in Africa living

dudes have some family in Africa living

dudes have some family in Africa living in Kenya and Somalia and so we found a

in Kenya and Somalia and so we found a

in Kenya and Somalia and so we found a charity that allows you to purchase

charity that allows you to purchase

charity that allows you to purchase animals for people living in rural

animals for people living in rural

animals for people living in rural African villages which can have a

African villages which can have a

African villages which can have a massive impact on their life you can buy

massive impact on their life you can buy

massive impact on their life you can buy chickens goats and the biggest thing

chickens goats and the biggest thing

chickens goats and the biggest thing that you can buy is a cow so obviously

that you can buy is a cow so obviously

that you can buy is a cow so obviously we were like okay let’s buy one of those

we were like okay let’s buy one of those

we were like okay let’s buy one of those and we decided to call that party cash

and we decided to call that party cash

and we decided to call that party cash cow we didn’t really know what to expect

cow we didn’t really know what to expect

cow we didn’t really know what to expect but a ton of people came through it was

but a ton of people came through it was

but a ton of people came through it was a huge success and so many people came

a huge success and so many people came

a huge success and so many people came through that we were able to raise

through that we were able to raise

through that we were able to raise double what we expected and by two cows

double what we expected and by two cows

double what we expected and by two cows which was surprising and really really

which was surprising and really really

which was surprising and really really sick since then we’ve scaled this model

sick since then we’ve scaled this model

sick since then we’ve scaled this model up and our struggle at this point is

up and our struggle at this point is

up and our struggle at this point is finding a space that’s big enough to fit

finding a space that’s big enough to fit

finding a space that’s big enough to fit all the people we used art galleries

all the people we used art galleries

all the people we used art galleries empty retail stores warehouses most

empty retail stores warehouses most

empty retail stores warehouses most recently we threw an event in a

recently we threw an event in a

recently we threw an event in a decommissioned generating station which

decommissioned generating station which

decommissioned generating station which was like four foot bill foot football

was like four foot bill foot football

was like four foot bill foot football fields long and about 3,000 people came

fields long and about 3,000 people came

fields long and about 3,000 people came through so it was a really exciting

through so it was a really exciting

through so it was a really exciting party and we raised a lot of money for

party and we raised a lot of money for

party and we raised a lot of money for charity now when we moved out of that

charity now when we moved out of that

charity now when we moved out of that house we could have just stopped because

house we could have just stopped because

house we could have just stopped because you saw the bathroom he saw the CrossFit

you saw the bathroom he saw the CrossFit

you saw the bathroom he saw the CrossFit gym it’s not always easy but we kept

gym it’s not always easy but we kept

gym it’s not always easy but we kept going and when that first revenue

going and when that first revenue

going and when that first revenue generating event raised double what we

generating event raised double what we

generating event raised double what we set out to do we could have bought one

set out to do we could have bought one

set out to do we could have bought one cow and we could have split the rest of

cow and we could have split the rest of

cow and we could have split the rest of the money between us we could have

the money between us we could have

the money between us we could have bought ourselves a dinner whatever but

bought ourselves a dinner whatever but

bought ourselves a dinner whatever but we didn’t we saw magic in this model and

we didn’t we saw magic in this model and

we didn’t we saw magic in this model and realized that if we just flipped

realized that if we just flipped

realized that if we just flipped something we were already doing all the

something we were already doing all the

something we were already doing all the time we could turn it into a vehicle for

time we could turn it into a vehicle for

time we could turn it into a vehicle for social change now when people talk about

social change now when people talk about

social change now when people talk about social change I think everybody’s

social change I think everybody’s

social change I think everybody’s picturing things like the Stonewall

picturing things like the Stonewall

picturing things like the Stonewall riots or the Occupy Wall Street movement

riots or the Occupy Wall Street movement

riots or the Occupy Wall Street movement more recently what’s going on in North

more recently what’s going on in North

more recently what’s going on in North Dakota at Standing Rock and these are

Dakota at Standing Rock and these are

Dakota at Standing Rock and these are all phenomenal examples of protest and

all phenomenal examples of protest and

all phenomenal examples of protest and revolution and they’ve accomplished

revolution and they’ve accomplished

revolution and they’ve accomplished amazing things through a very courageous

amazing things through a very courageous

amazing things through a very courageous model but they all suffer from some

model but they all suffer from some

model but they all suffer from some similar challenges they have to overcome

similar challenges they have to overcome

similar challenges they have to overcome the fear that I talked about earlier

the fear that I talked about earlier

the fear that I talked about earlier they have to overcome the complacency

they have to overcome the complacency

they have to overcome the complacency that comes from the fear and if they

that comes from the fear and if they

that comes from the fear and if they manage to do that now they have to

manage to do that now they have to

manage to do that now they have to overcome the fatigue that people

overcome the fatigue that people

overcome the fatigue that people experience after a prolonged period of

experience after a prolonged period of

experience after a prolonged period of protest and unfortunately a lot of them

protest and unfortunately a lot of them

protest and unfortunately a lot of them haven’t been able to survive these

haven’t been able to survive these

haven’t been able to survive these challenges you know activism is hard

challenges you know activism is hard

challenges you know activism is hard historically it’s just really really

historically it’s just really really

historically it’s just really really difficult to get people to disrupt their

difficult to get people to disrupt their

difficult to get people to disrupt their lives and make big sacrifices either

lives and make big sacrifices either

lives and make big sacrifices either they don’t want to do it or they’re not

they don’t want to do it or they’re not

they don’t want to do it or they’re not able to do it and it’s a really

able to do it and it’s a really

able to do it and it’s a really challenging thing to keep people

challenging thing to keep people

challenging thing to keep people motivated and keep them on board or even

motivated and keep them on board or even

motivated and keep them on board or even worse you can’t get them on board in the

worse you can’t get them on board in the

worse you can’t get them on board in the first place but we’ve arrived at a time

first place but we’ve arrived at a time

first place but we’ve arrived at a time where we can really blow that whole

where we can really blow that whole

where we can really blow that whole thing open we can think of it more

thing open we can think of it more

thing open we can think of it more progressively more creatively weaved

progressively more creatively weaved

progressively more creatively weaved arrive at a time when we can use the

arrive at a time when we can use the

arrive at a time when we can use the things that had previously dismantled

things that had previously dismantled

things that had previously dismantled our movements to our advantage now this

our movements to our advantage now this

our movements to our advantage now this is a philosophy that’s really well

is a philosophy that’s really well

is a philosophy that’s really well captured in the martial art of jiu-jitsu

captured in the martial art of jiu-jitsu

captured in the martial art of jiu-jitsu in jiu-jitsu you use the energy that’s

in jiu-jitsu you use the energy that’s

in jiu-jitsu you use the energy that’s coming at you from your opponent and you

coming at you from your opponent and you

coming at you from your opponent and you use it against them to defeat them so

use it against them to defeat them so

use it against them to defeat them so instead of fighting against them you

instead of fighting against them you

instead of fighting against them you fight with them you use the energy

fight with them you use the energy

fight with them you use the energy instead of opposing it it’s a very

instead of opposing it it’s a very

instead of opposing it it’s a very simple philosophy and it works

simple philosophy and it works

simple philosophy and it works beautifully with social change

I think that’s the amount of times that

I think that’s the amount of times that you check your Instagram in a day

you check your Instagram in a day

you check your Instagram in a day doesn’t really matter maybe you check it

doesn’t really matter maybe you check it

doesn’t really matter maybe you check it five times maybe check it ten times

five times maybe check it ten times

five times maybe check it ten times maybe 20 maybe 100 it doesn’t matter

maybe 20 maybe 100 it doesn’t matter

maybe 20 maybe 100 it doesn’t matter because you want to do it so you’re

because you want to do it so you’re

because you want to do it so you’re going to do it right what I want to know

going to do it right what I want to know

going to do it right what I want to know is how can checking your Instagram

is how can checking your Instagram

is how can checking your Instagram account and deforestation you’re doing

account and deforestation you’re doing

account and deforestation you’re doing it already so why can’t we use it to our

it already so why can’t we use it to our

it already so why can’t we use it to our advantage how can buying a cup of coffee

advantage how can buying a cup of coffee

advantage how can buying a cup of coffee prevent systemic racism how come how can

prevent systemic racism how come how can

prevent systemic racism how come how can downloading a podcast help educate

downloading a podcast help educate

downloading a podcast help educate people on mental health issues maybe

people on mental health issues maybe

people on mental health issues maybe they can maybe all we have to do is

they can maybe all we have to do is

they can maybe all we have to do is start to think slightly differently

start to think slightly differently

start to think slightly differently about the things we’re already doing

about the things we’re already doing

about the things we’re already doing every single day now this is where that

every single day now this is where that

every single day now this is where that kitten and mouse come back into play

kitten and mouse come back into play

kitten and mouse come back into play look if millions of people are watching

look if millions of people are watching

look if millions of people are watching that video we have to figure out a way

that video we have to figure out a way

that video we have to figure out a way to use that energy to our advantage

to use that energy to our advantage

to use that energy to our advantage towards something greater and if that

towards something greater and if that

towards something greater and if that sounds crazy think back to 2014 when the

sounds crazy think back to 2014 when the

sounds crazy think back to 2014 when the ice bucket challenge went viral the ALS

ice bucket challenge went viral the ALS

ice bucket challenge went viral the ALS Association benefited from the fact that

Association benefited from the fact that

Association benefited from the fact that people would much rather watch a viral

people would much rather watch a viral

people would much rather watch a viral video or be in a viral video than canvas

video or be in a viral video than canvas

video or be in a viral video than canvas their neighborhoods or organize

their neighborhoods or organize

their neighborhoods or organize fundraisers man a hundred and thirteen

fundraisers man a hundred and thirteen

fundraisers man a hundred and thirteen million dollars was raised that year

million dollars was raised that year

million dollars was raised that year alone from that video it gives me

alone from that video it gives me

alone from that video it gives me shivers and that doesn’t even consider

shivers and that doesn’t even consider

shivers and that doesn’t even consider the massive awareness campaign the free

the massive awareness campaign the free

the massive awareness campaign the free marketing spreading the knowledge that

marketing spreading the knowledge that

marketing spreading the knowledge that the a-list the ALS Association was so

the a-list the ALS Association was so

the a-list the ALS Association was so determined to share what’s so cool about

determined to share what’s so cool about

determined to share what’s so cool about this philosophy is it really starts

this philosophy is it really starts

this philosophy is it really starts looking at your day-to-day actions and

looking at your day-to-day actions and

looking at your day-to-day actions and suddenly they don’t seem passive in fact

suddenly they don’t seem passive in fact

suddenly they don’t seem passive in fact they can be extremely powerful and

they can be extremely powerful and

they can be extremely powerful and that’s what I love about this so I’m

that’s what I love about this so I’m

that’s what I love about this so I’m going to walk you through a couple of

going to walk you through a couple of

going to walk you through a couple of different examples that show that this

different examples that show that this

different examples that show that this is a totally reasonable idea it’s not

is a totally reasonable idea it’s not

is a totally reasonable idea it’s not nearly as complicated as you think I’m

nearly as complicated as you think I’m

nearly as complicated as you think I’m literally going to walk you through it

literally going to walk you through it

literally going to walk you through it so right now what does it look like I’m

so right now what does it look like I’m

so right now what does it look like I’m doing walking just walking across the

doing walking just walking across the

doing walking just walking across the stage but if you look at it and flip it

stage but if you look at it and flip it

stage but if you look at it and flip it slightly you can see something

slightly you can see something

slightly you can see something significantly different what I’m doing

significantly different what I’m doing

significantly different what I’m doing right now is generating 7 watts of

right now is generating 7 watts of

right now is generating 7 watts of energy

energy

energy with each step that I take and we can

with each step that I take and we can

with each step that I take and we can harness that energy and we can store it

harness that energy and we can store it

harness that energy and we can store it for later use there’s a company that has

for later use there’s a company that has

for later use there’s a company that has figured out how to do this called pav

figured out how to do this called pav

figured out how to do this called pav again and they’ve spread tiles

again and they’ve spread tiles

again and they’ve spread tiles throughout high foot traffic areas all

throughout high foot traffic areas all

throughout high foot traffic areas all around the world to do just that they’ve

around the world to do just that they’ve

around the world to do just that they’ve installed these tiles in a subway

installed these tiles in a subway

installed these tiles in a subway platform in France a super busy subway

platform in France a super busy subway

platform in France a super busy subway platform with people coming and going

platform with people coming and going

platform with people coming and going every single day and all of those

every single day and all of those

every single day and all of those commuters rushing to their trains on and

commuters rushing to their trains on and

commuters rushing to their trains on and off are creating energy they’re actually

off are creating energy they’re actually

off are creating energy they’re actually generating enough energy to power some

generating enough energy to power some

generating enough energy to power some of the lights in the building and a

of the lights in the building and a

of the lights in the building and a couple USB charging ports for their

couple USB charging ports for their

couple USB charging ports for their phones now I know that’s not a

phones now I know that’s not a

phones now I know that’s not a revolution but it’s the start of one

revolution but it’s the start of one

revolution but it’s the start of one because what’s happening right now is

because what’s happening right now is

because what’s happening right now is people powered technology these

people powered technology these

people powered technology these commuters don’t even know that they’re

commuters don’t even know that they’re

commuters don’t even know that they’re participating in social activism so they

participating in social activism so they

participating in social activism so they can’t experience fear they can’t

can’t experience fear they can’t

can’t experience fear they can’t experience complacency and they won’t

experience complacency and they won’t

experience complacency and they won’t get fatigued unless they just get

get fatigued unless they just get

get fatigued unless they just get exhausted from walking back and forth

exhausted from walking back and forth

exhausted from walking back and forth wherever they’re going so we’re

wherever they’re going so we’re

wherever they’re going so we’re harnessing something that’s happening

harnessing something that’s happening

harnessing something that’s happening all over the world and using it to

all over the world and using it to

all over the world and using it to activate something new just by looking

activate something new just by looking

activate something new just by looking at it slightly differently all right I’m

at it slightly differently all right I’m

at it slightly differently all right I’m going to give you one one other example

going to give you one one other example

going to give you one one other example plastic cutlery and plastic cutlery it’s

plastic cutlery and plastic cutlery it’s

plastic cutlery and plastic cutlery it’s estimated that we produce 40 billion

estimated that we produce 40 billion

estimated that we produce 40 billion plastic spoons forks and knives every

plastic spoons forks and knives every

plastic spoons forks and knives every year so that people can eat takeout food

year so that people can eat takeout food

year so that people can eat takeout food and only six percent of this type of

and only six percent of this type of

and only six percent of this type of plastic is recyclable that means that we

plastic is recyclable that means that we

plastic is recyclable that means that we are putting billions of tons of waste

are putting billions of tons of waste

are putting billions of tons of waste into the landfill basically for eternity

into the landfill basically for eternity

into the landfill basically for eternity or it’s going straight into the ocean

or it’s going straight into the ocean

or it’s going straight into the ocean which means it’s going straight back

which means it’s going straight back

which means it’s going straight back into our bodies which is gross and it’s

into our bodies which is gross and it’s

into our bodies which is gross and it’s also really sad but what are you going

also really sad but what are you going

also really sad but what are you going to do right well there’s a company in

to do right well there’s a company in

to do right well there’s a company in India that figured something out there

India that figured something out there

India that figured something out there called Bay keys and they’ve discovered a

called Bay keys and they’ve discovered a

called Bay keys and they’ve discovered a product that is totally compostable and

product that is totally compostable and

product that is totally compostable and it biodegrades six days after you throw

it biodegrades six days after you throw

it biodegrades six days after you throw it out oh and you can eat it it’s edible

it out oh and you can eat it it’s edible

it out oh and you can eat it it’s edible there are eight different flavors of

there are eight different flavors of

there are eight different flavors of these things right it’s brilliant it’s

these things right it’s brilliant it’s

these things right it’s brilliant it’s just a small idea that acknowledged a

just a small idea that acknowledged a

just a small idea that acknowledged a very basic reality people are

very basic reality people are

very basic reality people are eating takeout food all over the world

eating takeout food all over the world

eating takeout food all over the world and producing billions of tons of waste

and producing billions of tons of waste

and producing billions of tons of waste but if we look at how to prevent that

but if we look at how to prevent that

but if we look at how to prevent that without pushing against those hungry

without pushing against those hungry

without pushing against those hungry masses maybe we can completely alter

masses maybe we can completely alter

masses maybe we can completely alter this small idea huge impact now I know

this small idea huge impact now I know

this small idea huge impact now I know that you’re sitting there going like

that you’re sitting there going like

that you’re sitting there going like dude I’m not going to invent some

dude I’m not going to invent some

dude I’m not going to invent some cutlery that I can eat my food with and

cutlery that I can eat my food with and

cutlery that I can eat my food with and then I can eat my cutlery and it’s save

then I can eat my cutlery and it’s save

then I can eat my cutlery and it’s save the world I get that I’m not asking you

the world I get that I’m not asking you

the world I get that I’m not asking you to be the next maverick of social

to be the next maverick of social

to be the next maverick of social innovation and come up with some

innovation and come up with some

innovation and come up with some brilliant solution all I’m asking is

brilliant solution all I’m asking is

brilliant solution all I’m asking is that you start paying close attention to

that you start paying close attention to

that you start paying close attention to the things that you’re doing every

the things that you’re doing every

the things that you’re doing every single day pay closer attention to the

single day pay closer attention to the

single day pay closer attention to the things people are around you are doing

things people are around you are doing

things people are around you are doing every single day and open your heart out

every single day and open your heart out

every single day and open your heart out up to the possibility that they can have

up to the possibility that they can have

up to the possibility that they can have powerful meaning and effect great change

powerful meaning and effect great change

powerful meaning and effect great change remember to create social change you

remember to create social change you

remember to create social change you don’t necessarily have to change

don’t necessarily have to change

don’t necessarily have to change anything that you’re doing maybe you

anything that you’re doing maybe you

anything that you’re doing maybe you just have to change the way you’re

just have to change the way you’re

just have to change the way you’re looking at it and a really important

looking at it and a really important

looking at it and a really important thing to take from this it’s the last

thing to take from this it’s the last

thing to take from this it’s the last thing I want to leave you with is this

thing I want to leave you with is this

thing I want to leave you with is this thought if everything that you’re doing

thought if everything that you’re doing

thought if everything that you’re doing has the potential to create social

has the potential to create social

has the potential to create social change than you the person doing it are

change than you the person doing it are

change than you the person doing it are good everything that you do has power

good everything that you do has power

good everything that you do has power that means that you are a good powerful

that means that you are a good powerful

that means that you are a good powerful person and I think that right now

person and I think that right now

person and I think that right now especially it’s something that we need

especially it’s something that we need

especially it’s something that we need to remind ourselves of much more often

to remind ourselves of much more often

to remind ourselves of much more often thank you so much

thank you so much

thank you so much [Applause]

”

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