I’d like to start by asking you all a question what makes a city in some ways
question what makes a city in some ways
question what makes a city in some ways I’ve been asking myself that same
I’ve been asking myself that same
I’ve been asking myself that same question every day for almost three
question every day for almost three
question every day for almost three years it was around then that I began to
years it was around then that I began to
years it was around then that I began to feel burnt out in my environment I was
feel burnt out in my environment I was
feel burnt out in my environment I was back home for about three years at that
back home for about three years at that
back home for about three years at that point and I felt myself plateauing like
point and I felt myself plateauing like
point and I felt myself plateauing like a hermit crab I began to feel like I had
a hermit crab I began to feel like I had
a hermit crab I began to feel like I had outgrown my shell and I needed to find a
outgrown my shell and I needed to find a
outgrown my shell and I needed to find a newer bigger one to grow into so I
newer bigger one to grow into so I
newer bigger one to grow into so I contemplated another move which was my
contemplated another move which was my
contemplated another move which was my usual mo after high school and how I
usual mo after high school and how I
usual mo after high school and how I managed to live in five cities in just
managed to live in five cities in just
managed to live in five cities in just about six years after spending enough
about six years after spending enough
about six years after spending enough time in this small city in the southwest
time in this small city in the southwest
time in this small city in the southwest a huge city in the Northeast seemed like
a huge city in the Northeast seemed like
a huge city in the Northeast seemed like the most logical choice but after
the most logical choice but after
the most logical choice but after spending some time in New York to go
spending some time in New York to go
spending some time in New York to go over my options I realized that a change
over my options I realized that a change
over my options I realized that a change in scenery wouldn’t satisfy me the truth
in scenery wouldn’t satisfy me the truth
in scenery wouldn’t satisfy me the truth is I was comfortable and I wanted to
is I was comfortable and I wanted to
is I was comfortable and I wanted to stay in my hometown but as a creative
stay in my hometown but as a creative
stay in my hometown but as a creative professional I also wanted an
professional I also wanted an
professional I also wanted an opportunity to make a living doing what
opportunity to make a living doing what
opportunity to make a living doing what I loved that’s what led me down a rabbit
I loved that’s what led me down a rabbit
I loved that’s what led me down a rabbit hole asking myself why is it that the
hole asking myself why is it that the
hole asking myself why is it that the two have to be mutually exclusive why is
two have to be mutually exclusive why is
two have to be mutually exclusive why is it that creative industries are tethered
it that creative industries are tethered
it that creative industries are tethered to these overpriced and over populated
to these overpriced and over populated
to these overpriced and over populated areas why can’t all cities sustain a
areas why can’t all cities sustain a
areas why can’t all cities sustain a creative economy what is their benefit
creative economy what is their benefit
creative economy what is their benefit for even being there in this day and age
for even being there in this day and age
for even being there in this day and age and ultimately how do we even decide to
and ultimately how do we even decide to
and ultimately how do we even decide to define a city today it was trying to
define a city today it was trying to
define a city today it was trying to answer those questions that led me down
answer those questions that led me down
answer those questions that led me down a new path in life where after a few
a new path in life where after a few
a new path in life where after a few unexpected turns I find myself here now
unexpected turns I find myself here now
unexpected turns I find myself here now trying to explain it all to you I say
trying to explain it all to you I say
trying to explain it all to you I say that it was unexpected because it was
that it was unexpected because it was
that it was unexpected because it was never my intention to build an end
never my intention to build an end
never my intention to build an end result that would be worth sharing in
result that would be worth sharing in
result that would be worth sharing in fact this whole thing started by just
fact this whole thing started by just
fact this whole thing started by just simply asking people how they felt about
simply asking people how they felt about
simply asking people how they felt about their city or about their community if
their city or about their community if
their city or about their community if they were able to tell who was a part of
they were able to tell who was a part of
they were able to tell who was a part of it or where it even started most of the
it or where it even started most of the
it or where it even started most of the answers that I received from people
answers that I received from people
answers that I received from people usually referred to a community that
usually referred to a community that
usually referred to a community that shares some type of resource or history
shares some type of resource or history
shares some type of resource or history or it was defined by a jurisdiction in a
or it was defined by a jurisdiction in a
or it was defined by a jurisdiction in a boundary they’re usually designated by a
boundary they’re usually designated by a
boundary they’re usually designated by a government usually visible on an ID it’s
government usually visible on an ID it’s
government usually visible on an ID it’s about a population that shares the same
about a population that shares the same
about a population that shares the same laws and infrastructure it’s a mutual
laws and infrastructure it’s a mutual
laws and infrastructure it’s a mutual benefit between its residents as logical
benefit between its residents as logical
benefit between its residents as logical as all of these responses were I
as all of these responses were I
as all of these responses were I couldn’t help but feel they were just
couldn’t help but feel they were just
couldn’t help but feel they were just wrong but I couldn’t find a flaw in
wrong but I couldn’t find a flaw in
wrong but I couldn’t find a flaw in their logic or offer a better answer
their logic or offer a better answer
their logic or offer a better answer myself that’s where I took my first turn
myself that’s where I took my first turn
myself that’s where I took my first turn and decided to answer my own question
and decided to answer my own question
and decided to answer my own question what makes my city it didn’t take long
what makes my city it didn’t take long
what makes my city it didn’t take long for me to see where my skepticism was
for me to see where my skepticism was
for me to see where my skepticism was coming from in fact right away I began
coming from in fact right away I began
coming from in fact right away I began to feel as if my own city didn’t even
to feel as if my own city didn’t even
to feel as if my own city didn’t even know how to explain itself because see
know how to explain itself because see
know how to explain itself because see even if you’re from this area this
even if you’re from this area this
even if you’re from this area this simplified illustration might be hard to
simplified illustration might be hard to
simplified illustration might be hard to understand and that’s because people are
understand and that’s because people are
understand and that’s because people are used to a representation that looks more
used to a representation that looks more
used to a representation that looks more like this because of the narrative
like this because of the narrative
like this because of the narrative that’s so synonymous with this area this
that’s so synonymous with this area this
that’s so synonymous with this area this is the place where three states and two
is the place where three states and two
is the place where three states and two countries meet I’ve even heard people
countries meet I’ve even heard people
countries meet I’ve even heard people take it as far as saying this is where
take it as far as saying this is where
take it as far as saying this is where three cities and two nations come
three cities and two nations come
three cities and two nations come together as one when they’re talking
together as one when they’re talking
together as one when they’re talking about El Paso watterson Las Cruces with
about El Paso watterson Las Cruces with
about El Paso watterson Las Cruces with the truth is this is just a fallacy in
the truth is this is just a fallacy in
the truth is this is just a fallacy in all actuality there are more than 20
all actuality there are more than 20
all actuality there are more than 20 jurisdictions in this one small area and
jurisdictions in this one small area and
jurisdictions in this one small area and oftentimes there is no unity amongst
oftentimes there is no unity amongst
oftentimes there is no unity amongst them it’s because of that misconception
them it’s because of that misconception
them it’s because of that misconception paired with our history and my
paired with our history and my
paired with our history and my experiences as a native that I began to
experiences as a native that I began to
experiences as a native that I began to feel that none of these responses that I
feel that none of these responses that I
feel that none of these responses that I had received from people could even
had received from people could even
had received from people could even begin to apply to this area let me
begin to apply to this area let me
begin to apply to this area let me explain
explain
explain see we know that El Paso’s namesake is
see we know that El Paso’s namesake is
see we know that El Paso’s namesake is actually just a truncated version of its
actually just a truncated version of its
actually just a truncated version of its original name El Paso del Norte the
original name El Paso del Norte the
original name El Paso del Norte the passage of the north toward the north
passage of the north toward the north
passage of the north toward the north and we have evidence to prove that
and we have evidence to prove that
and we have evidence to prove that people have been in this region for over
people have been in this region for over
people have been in this region for over 10,000 years why we only qualify history
10,000 years why we only qualify history
10,000 years why we only qualify history that has some type of European influence
that has some type of European influence
that has some type of European influence is another talk altogether but even if
is another talk altogether but even if
is another talk altogether but even if we fast forward but even if we fast
we fast forward but even if we fast
we fast forward but even if we fast forward to the 15th century and the trip
forward to the 15th century and the trip
forward to the 15th century and the trip made by Columbus we know that he landed
made by Columbus we know that he landed
made by Columbus we know that he landed in Central and South America in 1507 we
in Central and South America in 1507 we
in Central and South America in 1507 we have the Americas recognized as their
have the Americas recognized as their
have the Americas recognized as their own continent for the first time in
own continent for the first time in
own continent for the first time in history
history
history it takes about 90 years for those
it takes about 90 years for those
it takes about 90 years for those explorers from Spain to make their way
explorers from Spain to make their way
explorers from Spain to make their way north and find themselves here where
north and find themselves here where
north and find themselves here where they’re greeted by locals and they
they’re greeted by locals and they
they’re greeted by locals and they celebrate with a feast and a mass now
celebrate with a feast and a mass now
celebrate with a feast and a mass now this is decades before pilgrims in
this is decades before pilgrims in
this is decades before pilgrims in Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock it takes about another 60 years for
it takes about another 60 years for
it takes about another 60 years for settlers to come into the area when they
settlers to come into the area when they
settlers to come into the area when they build the foundation of El Paso del
build the foundation of El Paso del
build the foundation of El Paso del Norte with the mission the Guadalupe in
Norte with the mission the Guadalupe in
Norte with the mission the Guadalupe in just a couple years later natives
just a couple years later natives
just a couple years later natives fleeing from the conquest in the north
fleeing from the conquest in the north
fleeing from the conquest in the north make their way here where they’re given
make their way here where they’re given
make their way here where they’re given land and everybody who lives peacefully
land and everybody who lives peacefully
land and everybody who lives peacefully for another hundred years this is all
for another hundred years this is all
for another hundred years this is all before the United States is even a
before the United States is even a
before the United States is even a country just about 20 years after the
country just about 20 years after the
country just about 20 years after the United States becoming the country more
United States becoming the country more
United States becoming the country more natives fleeing from the north end up
natives fleeing from the north end up
natives fleeing from the north end up here and build Socorro all of this is
here and build Socorro all of this is
here and build Socorro all of this is considered some kind of New Mexico
considered some kind of New Mexico
considered some kind of New Mexico Territory because the Texas Revolution
Territory because the Texas Revolution
Territory because the Texas Revolution isn’t for another forty years and in
isn’t for another forty years and in
isn’t for another forty years and in fact the Texas Revolution was never even
fact the Texas Revolution was never even
fact the Texas Revolution was never even felt in this area it doesn’t tell around
felt in this area it doesn’t tell around
felt in this area it doesn’t tell around 1850 that the land just becomes Texas
1850 that the land just becomes Texas
1850 that the land just becomes Texas and it’s around the same time that
and it’s around the same time that
and it’s around the same time that they’re building a military base on land
they’re building a military base on land
they’re building a military base on land that has actually considered the
that has actually considered the
that has actually considered the opposite of El Paso ironically just
opposite of El Paso ironically just
opposite of El Paso ironically just about 20 years later the city of El Paso
about 20 years later the city of El Paso
about 20 years later the city of El Paso is incorporated on the same side of the
is incorporated on the same side of the
is incorporated on the same side of the military base and it takes another 15
military base and it takes another 15
military base and it takes another 15 years before El Paso South essentially
years before El Paso South essentially
years before El Paso South essentially changes their name to Vadis I’ve used
changes their name to Vadis I’ve used
changes their name to Vadis I’ve used this river diagram merely as an example
this river diagram merely as an example
this river diagram merely as an example the truth is like all natural flowing
the truth is like all natural flowing
the truth is like all natural flowing rivers they change course over time the
rivers they change course over time the
rivers they change course over time the river that existed here in the 15th
river that existed here in the 15th
river that existed here in the 15th century isn’t the same river that we
century isn’t the same river that we
century isn’t the same river that we know today
know today
know today in fact this path wasn’t even agreed
in fact this path wasn’t even agreed
in fact this path wasn’t even agreed upon until 1963 and that’s partially why
upon until 1963 and that’s partially why
upon until 1963 and that’s partially why our birthplace is now tethered to a
our birthplace is now tethered to a
our birthplace is now tethered to a foreign country but it’s the man-made
foreign country but it’s the man-made
foreign country but it’s the man-made invisible boundaries that are still
invisible boundaries that are still
invisible boundaries that are still having an impact on our daily lives you
having an impact on our daily lives you
having an impact on our daily lives you see I was born and raised right about
see I was born and raised right about
see I was born and raised right about here in the Lower Valley and
here in the Lower Valley and
here in the Lower Valley and going up in the 80’s and 90’s
going up in the 80’s and 90’s
going up in the 80’s and 90’s pre-internet my world was really small
pre-internet my world was really small
pre-internet my world was really small the farthest west I ever made it on a
the farthest west I ever made it on a
the farthest west I ever made it on a regular basis was to my grandparents
regular basis was to my grandparents
regular basis was to my grandparents house in central it wasn’t until later
house in central it wasn’t until later
house in central it wasn’t until later on in high school that you might have
on in high school that you might have
on in high school that you might have been able to find me on the other side
been able to find me on the other side
been able to find me on the other side of the border because of a younger
of the border because of a younger
of the border because of a younger drinking age just don’t tell my parents
drinking age just don’t tell my parents
drinking age just don’t tell my parents but um
but um
but um it was around the same time that I made
it was around the same time that I made
it was around the same time that I made it to the west side on a regular basis
it to the west side on a regular basis
it to the west side on a regular basis and the first time that I did it felt
and the first time that I did it felt
and the first time that I did it felt like a completely different City just
like a completely different City just
like a completely different City just the roads the people the built the
the roads the people the built the
the roads the people the built the buildings that 15 miles made me feel
buildings that 15 miles made me feel
buildings that 15 miles made me feel like a foreigner uh but it was still the
like a foreigner uh but it was still the
like a foreigner uh but it was still the same city ironically somebody who lives
same city ironically somebody who lives
same city ironically somebody who lives just a mile away from a West El Paso
just a mile away from a West El Paso
just a mile away from a West El Paso resident could be in the same zip code
resident could be in the same zip code
resident could be in the same zip code but they’re in a different city and if
but they’re in a different city and if
but they’re in a different city and if that person were to cross a street North
that person were to cross a street North
that person were to cross a street North they’d be in the same city but in a
they’d be in the same city but in a
they’d be in the same city but in a different state and that line matters
different state and that line matters
different state and that line matters because if you’re on one side of it
because if you’re on one side of it
because if you’re on one side of it you’re gonna pay a state income tax and
you’re gonna pay a state income tax and
you’re gonna pay a state income tax and on the other side do not which leads to
on the other side do not which leads to
on the other side do not which leads to a different infrastructure
a different infrastructure
a different infrastructure representatives emergency services and
representatives emergency services and
representatives emergency services and this whole area is riddled with these
this whole area is riddled with these
this whole area is riddled with these dichotomies let’s say if you’re in this
dichotomies let’s say if you’re in this
dichotomies let’s say if you’re in this area if you’re in one of the safest
area if you’re in one of the safest
area if you’re in one of the safest cities in the country but if you’re
cities in the country but if you’re
cities in the country but if you’re anywhere in this area you’re in what
anywhere in this area you’re in what
anywhere in this area you’re in what some people consider one of the most
some people consider one of the most
some people consider one of the most dangerous in all of the world however if
dangerous in all of the world however if
dangerous in all of the world however if you’re anywhere in this section you’re
you’re anywhere in this section you’re
you’re anywhere in this section you’re in gun-toting Texas where you can openly
in gun-toting Texas where you can openly
in gun-toting Texas where you can openly carry a gun on your person without the
carry a gun on your person without the
carry a gun on your person without the need to even conceal it but if you cross
need to even conceal it but if you cross
need to even conceal it but if you cross this line that’s a federal offense and
this line that’s a federal offense and
this line that’s a federal offense and if you live in this part of town your
if you live in this part of town your
if you live in this part of town your kids can attend the same school is
kids can attend the same school is
kids can attend the same school is somebody who lives here because they’re
somebody who lives here because they’re
somebody who lives here because they’re served by the same school district but
served by the same school district but
served by the same school district but they don’t have access to the same
they don’t have access to the same
they don’t have access to the same public libraries in fact there are some
public libraries in fact there are some
public libraries in fact there are some places in this county that still don’t
places in this county that still don’t
places in this county that still don’t have access to clean drinking water and
have access to clean drinking water and
have access to clean drinking water and this field of view still doesn’t even
this field of view still doesn’t even
this field of view still doesn’t even include Las Cruces it’s because of all
include Las Cruces it’s because of all
include Las Cruces it’s because of all of that that I realized there is no way
of that that I realized there is no way
of that that I realized there is no way to perfect like adequately explain what
to perfect like adequately explain what
to perfect like adequately explain what my hometown is but I thought maybe
my hometown is but I thought maybe
my hometown is but I thought maybe there’s a way that I could explain
there’s a way that I could explain
there’s a way that I could explain what my hometown could be and that was
what my hometown could be and that was
what my hometown could be and that was actually just a lot easier I did it
actually just a lot easier I did it
actually just a lot easier I did it visually and I changed some of my
visually and I changed some of my
visually and I changed some of my methods by looking at las cruces and all
methods by looking at las cruces and all
methods by looking at las cruces and all of the other municipalities in the area
of the other municipalities in the area
of the other municipalities in the area I felt like I was looking at puzzle
I felt like I was looking at puzzle
I felt like I was looking at puzzle pieces and it didn’t take long for me to
pieces and it didn’t take long for me to
pieces and it didn’t take long for me to arrange them in a way that kind of
arrange them in a way that kind of
arrange them in a way that kind of resembled the city of Los Angeles in
resembled the city of Los Angeles in
resembled the city of Los Angeles in fact there was only about a 20 square
fact there was only about a 20 square
fact there was only about a 20 square mile difference once I realized that I
mile difference once I realized that I
mile difference once I realized that I decided to compare this imagined city to
decided to compare this imagined city to
decided to compare this imagined city to every other city and when I compared him
every other city and when I compared him
every other city and when I compared him based on area and geographic size it
based on area and geographic size it
based on area and geographic size it turns out that we could bank the top ten
turns out that we could bank the top ten
turns out that we could bank the top ten list
list
list we would be right ahead of Phoenix and
we would be right ahead of Phoenix and
we would be right ahead of Phoenix and behind Houston when I did the math to
behind Houston when I did the math to
behind Houston when I did the math to calculate population we’d actually edge
calculate population we’d actually edge
calculate population we’d actually edge out Houston and claim the number four
out Houston and claim the number four
out Houston and claim the number four spot that’s when I realized that it’s
spot that’s when I realized that it’s
spot that’s when I realized that it’s all of the fragments that give us the
all of the fragments that give us the
all of the fragments that give us the illusion of being insignificant I
illusion of being insignificant I
illusion of being insignificant I thought if only there’s a way to
thought if only there’s a way to
thought if only there’s a way to rearrange all of these puzzle pieces in
rearrange all of these puzzle pieces in
rearrange all of these puzzle pieces in real life but the truth is we don’t need
real life but the truth is we don’t need
real life but the truth is we don’t need to all we need to do is just erase the
to all we need to do is just erase the
to all we need to do is just erase the imaginary boundaries and that’s where I
imaginary boundaries and that’s where I
imaginary boundaries and that’s where I found my answer see because going
found my answer see because going
found my answer see because going through that process helped me realize
through that process helped me realize
through that process helped me realize the only way we can properly define a
the only way we can properly define a
the only way we can properly define a city is by its people it’s the
city is by its people it’s the
city is by its people it’s the individuals who interact and understand
individuals who interact and understand
individuals who interact and understand their surroundings in their environment
their surroundings in their environment
their surroundings in their environment on a daily basis it’s the collective
on a daily basis it’s the collective
on a daily basis it’s the collective consciousness of the people that make a
consciousness of the people that make a
consciousness of the people that make a city what it is and it was through my
city what it is and it was through my
city what it is and it was through my research that I realized a small
research that I realized a small
research that I realized a small paradigm shift in this area could
paradigm shift in this area could
paradigm shift in this area could potentially lead to two and a half
potentially lead to two and a half
potentially lead to two and a half million people understanding their
million people understanding their
million people understanding their interdependence and potential in unity I
interdependence and potential in unity I
interdependence and potential in unity I just needed to find a way to reach them
just needed to find a way to reach them
just needed to find a way to reach them that was actually a lot easier to figure
that was actually a lot easier to figure
that was actually a lot easier to figure out because people are more connected
out because people are more connected
out because people are more connected than ever before because this just got
than ever before because this just got
than ever before because this just got an easier than ever before
an easier than ever before
an easier than ever before you see in the past crossing the street
you see in the past crossing the street
you see in the past crossing the street in this area could have potentially
in this area could have potentially
in this area could have potentially meant that your home phone number was
meant that your home phone number was
meant that your home phone number was tied to a different area code or
tied to a different area code or
tied to a different area code or possibly even a different country code
possibly even a different country code
possibly even a different country code or your zip code might have been
or your zip code might have been
or your zip code might have been designated by a different state or
designated by a different state or
designated by a different state or probably came attached with
probably came attached with
probably came attached with international shipping fees but now the
international shipping fees but now the
international shipping fees but now the Internet is pretty much the same
Internet is pretty much the same
Internet is pretty much the same everywhere and there are no limits or
everywhere and there are no limits or
everywhere and there are no limits or extra fees for crossing borders but this
extra fees for crossing borders but this
extra fees for crossing borders but this is still just a really simplified
is still just a really simplified
is still just a really simplified understanding because the real magical
understanding because the real magical
understanding because the real magical part about the Internet is the fact that
part about the Internet is the fact that
part about the Internet is the fact that it’s able to offer a transmedia
it’s able to offer a transmedia
it’s able to offer a transmedia experience you see no matter what the
experience you see no matter what the
experience you see no matter what the area code was that you put on your phone
area code was that you put on your phone
area code was that you put on your phone it still just connected you to another
it still just connected you to another
it still just connected you to another phone and regardless of the zip code
phone and regardless of the zip code
phone and regardless of the zip code that was on mail it still just was mail
that was on mail it still just was mail
that was on mail it still just was mail at the end of the day in fact everything
at the end of the day in fact everything
at the end of the day in fact everything we’ve ever known from changing the TV
we’ve ever known from changing the TV
we’ve ever known from changing the TV channels on our TV or turning the dial
channels on our TV or turning the dial
channels on our TV or turning the dial on a radio have only been able to give
on a radio have only been able to give
on a radio have only been able to give us single media streams but a computer
us single media streams but a computer
us single media streams but a computer connected to the Internet is able to
connected to the Internet is able to
connected to the Internet is able to change media’s and offer us just
change media’s and offer us just
change media’s and offer us just completely new experiences and this is
completely new experiences and this is
completely new experiences and this is still even an antiquated understanding
still even an antiquated understanding
still even an antiquated understanding of the internet because now the Internet
of the internet because now the Internet
of the internet because now the Internet is the living breathing thing it’s
is the living breathing thing it’s
is the living breathing thing it’s turning on our lights and thermostat in
turning on our lights and thermostat in
turning on our lights and thermostat in our homes it’s driving our cars and it’s
our homes it’s driving our cars and it’s
our homes it’s driving our cars and it’s making Pokemon characters appear all
making Pokemon characters appear all
making Pokemon characters appear all around us it’s forever changed the
around us it’s forever changed the
around us it’s forever changed the global economy politics education and
global economy politics education and
global economy politics education and just the human experience and it’s
just the human experience and it’s
just the human experience and it’s because of my understanding of the
because of my understanding of the
because of my understanding of the Internet that I decided to build a
Internet that I decided to build a
Internet that I decided to build a proprietary indexing method that can
proprietary indexing method that can
proprietary indexing method that can help people understand and navigate this
help people understand and navigate this
help people understand and navigate this area in a more democratized kind of way
area in a more democratized kind of way
area in a more democratized kind of way that becomes more approachable and
that becomes more approachable and
that becomes more approachable and offering more context to their
offering more context to their
offering more context to their experience but it’s not just the
experience but it’s not just the
experience but it’s not just the geography that’s changing I had to
geography that’s changing I had to
geography that’s changing I had to decide which elements help establish a
decide which elements help establish a
decide which elements help establish a sense of place
sense of place
sense of place like all of the small businesses that
like all of the small businesses that
like all of the small businesses that you won’t be able to find in other
you won’t be able to find in other
you won’t be able to find in other cities schools parks even the public art
cities schools parks even the public art
cities schools parks even the public art that helps harvest a community’s
that helps harvest a community’s
that helps harvest a community’s identity this is a more centralized and
identity this is a more centralized and
identity this is a more centralized and efficient way
efficient way
efficient way to amalgamate public resources from
to amalgamate public resources from
to amalgamate public resources from multiple jurisdictions it’s that ability
multiple jurisdictions it’s that ability
multiple jurisdictions it’s that ability to transcend a normal boundary that
to transcend a normal boundary that
to transcend a normal boundary that prevents the public sector from being
prevents the public sector from being
prevents the public sector from being able to do it themselves
able to do it themselves
able to do it themselves and it’s that manipulation of
and it’s that manipulation of
and it’s that manipulation of traditional data that prevents people
traditional data that prevents people
traditional data that prevents people like Google and everybody else to be
like Google and everybody else to be
like Google and everybody else to be able to do the exact same thing this has
able to do the exact same thing this has
able to do the exact same thing this has the potential to engage an entire
the potential to engage an entire
the potential to engage an entire community not just the young in
community not just the young in
community not just the young in tech-savvy which is why I was so
tech-savvy which is why I was so
tech-savvy which is why I was so important to build in interfaces that
important to build in interfaces that
important to build in interfaces that were intuitive and made people just
were intuitive and made people just
were intuitive and made people just understand without even having to
understand without even having to
understand without even having to overcomplicate things and because this
overcomplicate things and because this
overcomplicate things and because this is meant to coincide with the human
is meant to coincide with the human
is meant to coincide with the human experience there are no algorithms there
experience there are no algorithms there
experience there are no algorithms there are no user modified behaviors which
are no user modified behaviors which
are no user modified behaviors which have already splintered us so much on
have already splintered us so much on
have already splintered us so much on social media and even though a lot of
social media and even though a lot of
social media and even though a lot of these technologies are commonplace or
these technologies are commonplace or
these technologies are commonplace or can even be considered regressive in
can even be considered regressive in
can even be considered regressive in 2017 part of the progress was in my
2017 part of the progress was in my
2017 part of the progress was in my ability to do it all by myself and
ability to do it all by myself and
ability to do it all by myself and that’s where I took my last turn see
that’s where I took my last turn see
that’s where I took my last turn see because even though I was a creative
because even though I was a creative
because even though I was a creative professional before all of this
professional before all of this
professional before all of this technology was not my strong suit
technology was not my strong suit
technology was not my strong suit but because I went through this entire
but because I went through this entire
but because I went through this entire process by myself I was able to learn
process by myself I was able to learn
process by myself I was able to learn what I needed as I needed it thanks to
what I needed as I needed it thanks to
what I needed as I needed it thanks to the educational opportunities available
the educational opportunities available
the educational opportunities available on the Internet
on the Internet
on the Internet that’s how I was able to design all of
that’s how I was able to design all of
that’s how I was able to design all of the data structures produce all of the
the data structures produce all of the
the data structures produce all of the content code all of the interactions
content code all of the interactions
content code all of the interactions without a team or investors without
without a team or investors without
without a team or investors without taxpayer resources or special interests
taxpayer resources or special interests
taxpayer resources or special interests and that’s the power of going beyond the
and that’s the power of going beyond the
and that’s the power of going beyond the status quo that exists today for all
status quo that exists today for all
status quo that exists today for all private businesses
private businesses
private businesses it’s that ability to transcend the
it’s that ability to transcend the
it’s that ability to transcend the status quo that makes them so powerful
status quo that makes them so powerful
status quo that makes them so powerful because see now not only are people just
because see now not only are people just
because see now not only are people just more connected than ever before but now
more connected than ever before but now
more connected than ever before but now they’re more capable than ever before
they’re more capable than ever before
they’re more capable than ever before and that’s why starting a business even
and that’s why starting a business even
and that’s why starting a business even a micro business had the potential to
a micro business had the potential to
a micro business had the potential to completely change and disrupt entire
completely change and disrupt entire
completely change and disrupt entire industries but it also has the
industries but it also has the
industries but it also has the opportunity to better serve a region and
opportunity to better serve a region and
opportunity to better serve a region and a market that has never been properly
a market that has never been properly
a market that has never been properly served it’s because of that that I know
served it’s because of that that I know
served it’s because of that that I know that this area will adopt a system when
that this area will adopt a system when
that this area will adopt a system when it rolls out in the next couple months
it rolls out in the next couple months
it rolls out in the next couple months because it was entirely conceptualized
because it was entirely conceptualized
because it was entirely conceptualized and designed specifically to answer
and designed specifically to answer
and designed specifically to answer their problem from their perspective
their problem from their perspective
their problem from their perspective it’s not a quickly scalable system
it’s not a quickly scalable system
it’s not a quickly scalable system that’s going to disrupt economies around
that’s going to disrupt economies around
that’s going to disrupt economies around the world
the world
the world and it’s not financially benefiting any
and it’s not financially benefiting any
and it’s not financially benefiting any major overreaching conglomerate that’s
major overreaching conglomerate that’s
major overreaching conglomerate that’s based outside of the area where it
based outside of the area where it
based outside of the area where it serves it was it was entirely understood
serves it was it was entirely understood
serves it was it was entirely understood by its locals it’s what it’s what
by its locals it’s what it’s what
by its locals it’s what it’s what happens when you mix empathy and
happens when you mix empathy and
happens when you mix empathy and intention with design and storytelling
intention with design and storytelling
intention with design and storytelling and it’s that level of human centered
and it’s that level of human centered
and it’s that level of human centered design that needs to be understood and
design that needs to be understood and
design that needs to be understood and incorporated by all businesses of all
incorporated by all businesses of all
incorporated by all businesses of all sizes of by all nonprofit organizations
sizes of by all nonprofit organizations
sizes of by all nonprofit organizations by all governments because there has
by all governments because there has
by all governments because there has never been a perfect one-size-fits-all
never been a perfect one-size-fits-all
never been a perfect one-size-fits-all and tech and media are no different it’s
and tech and media are no different it’s
and tech and media are no different it’s time that we start focusing on regional
time that we start focusing on regional
time that we start focusing on regional technologies and regional solutions to
technologies and regional solutions to
technologies and regional solutions to better serve the communities and the
better serve the communities and the
better serve the communities and the people who use the product it’s how I
people who use the product it’s how I
people who use the product it’s how I feel that we can even begin to create
feel that we can even begin to create
feel that we can even begin to create economic opportunities and creative
economic opportunities and creative
economic opportunities and creative opportunities around the world and not
opportunities around the world and not
opportunities around the world and not just tethered to these certain subsets
just tethered to these certain subsets
just tethered to these certain subsets that have always gotten in because we
that have always gotten in because we
that have always gotten in because we need to start being in the communities
need to start being in the communities
need to start being in the communities that are using them and understanding
that are using them and understanding
that are using them and understanding their perspective and I think this is
their perspective and I think this is
their perspective and I think this is just the beginning because with all of
just the beginning because with all of
just the beginning because with all of the advancements being made right now I
the advancements being made right now I
the advancements being made right now I blockchain technologies and
blockchain technologies and
blockchain technologies and decentralized autonomous organizations
decentralized autonomous organizations
decentralized autonomous organizations we’re approaching an era where societies
we’re approaching an era where societies
we’re approaching an era where societies are going to be completely reimagined
are going to be completely reimagined
are going to be completely reimagined and interconnected from the ground up
and interconnected from the ground up
and interconnected from the ground up where an individual will be able to
where an individual will be able to
where an individual will be able to store all of their medical records in
store all of their medical records in
store all of their medical records in employment history education history
employment history education history
employment history education history receive their paychecks pay taxes sign
receive their paychecks pay taxes sign
receive their paychecks pay taxes sign government documents and even vote all
government documents and even vote all
government documents and even vote all from a single device and we shouldn’t
from a single device and we shouldn’t
from a single device and we shouldn’t waste time trying to speculate what will
waste time trying to speculate what will
waste time trying to speculate what will happen to political parties or politics
happen to political parties or politics
happen to political parties or politics in general should voting become more
in general should voting become more
in general should voting become more inclusive but we shouldn’t question even
inclusive but we shouldn’t question even
inclusive but we shouldn’t question even if just for a second the importance in
if just for a second the importance in
if just for a second the importance in choosing a single interpreter when the
choosing a single interpreter when the
choosing a single interpreter when the unequivocal will of the people is
unequivocal will of the people is
unequivocal will of the people is understood in real time because it’s
understood in real time because it’s
understood in real time because it’s that threat to the status quo that is
that threat to the status quo that is
that threat to the status quo that is going to delay the future especially in
going to delay the future especially in
going to delay the future especially in these overpopulated mega centers we’re
these overpopulated mega centers we’re
these overpopulated mega centers we’re maintaining the norm is so imperative
maintaining the norm is so imperative
maintaining the norm is so imperative but in a place that has been
but in a place that has been
but in a place that has been marginalized disenfranchised and
marginalized disenfranchised and
marginalized disenfranchised and incapable of proper growth since
incapable of proper growth since
incapable of proper growth since inception
inception
inception I feel the future will be a welcomed
I feel the future will be a welcomed
I feel the future will be a welcomed alternative that’s why I feel the same
alternative that’s why I feel the same
alternative that’s why I feel the same way this area was vital to the new world
way this area was vital to the new world
way this area was vital to the new world in bringing them north we can now become
in bringing them north we can now become
in bringing them north we can now become the passage to the future thank you
the passage to the future thank you
the passage to the future thank you [Applause]
”
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