Thinking Small: Community-Oriented Responses to Urban Issues | Noah Tang | TEDxNormal
What if the key to stronger, more resilient communities isn’t a billion-dollar project, but a small act—done today, by someone like you? In this inspiring talk, high school teacher and community advocate Noah Tang argues that real change begins with “thinking small.” From filling housing gaps to picking up trash, from rebuilding a neighbor’s porch to launching local food ventures, he shares how grassroots actions can solve real problems when mega-projects fall short. Drawing from the Strong Towns movement, he shows how everyday people can shape the places they live—through observation, action, and repetition. I am a high school social studies teacher and community organizer who focuses on bottom-up solutions to crises facing our community and its built environment. As the President of the Bloomington Revivalists: Strong Towns BloNo, we have focused our efforts on rebuilding neighborhood bonds, picking up trash, showing the importance of the traditional downtown built form, and fostering better pedestrian connections with public art. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 11:25Por que não devemos procurar unicórnios na Amazônia | Paulo Reis | TEDxAmazôniaA busca por negócios bilionários já deixou rastros de desmatamento e desigualdade na história da Amazônia. Paulo Reis acredita que outra abordagem é mais compatível com a região: apostar na escala da diversidade e dos negócios de impacto que apoiam o modo de vida dos povos da floresta. Saiba mais sobre o poder da sociobioeconomia e sua capacidade de crescer em rede, através da fala de Paulo Reis. Paulo Reis é um pioneiro da bioeconomia na Amazônia. Co-fundador de empresas de sucesso como a Manioca e a Amazonique, ele dedica sua carreira a transformar a rica biodiversidade da região em produtos inovadores e sustentáveis. Com mais de uma década de experiência, Paulo é uma voz ativa no desenvolvimento da Amazônia. Além de ser membro do conselho deliberativo da Conexsus e liderar a ASSOBIO (Associação dos Negócios de Bioeconomia da Amazônia), ele contribui para a formação de novos profissionais como professor convidado no CESUPA. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:03Why vulnerability is the new strength | Nate Roy | TEDxMarianopolisCollegeThe athlete who plays through pain. The leader who never shows doubt. The student who holds it all together… In my life, and in my research as a neuroscientist, I’ve found that this kind of strength often comes at a cost. In trying to look resilient, we disconnect from what actually builds resilience. This talk is about what happens when we stop performing strength and start practicing it—through the uncomfortable but transformative process of accepting, feeling, and vocalizing what we’re carrying. It’s an invitation and a practical guide for a new era of strength, where we don’t hide what hurts but grow because of it. Nate Roy is a neuroscientist, athlete, and leader in mental health and performance education. As a PhD researcher at McGill University, he investigates the neurobiological foundations of resilience and adaptation. A former NCAA Division 1 football player, he is now an aspiring Winter Olympian in the sport of bobsled. As the founder of Cortex Flex Inc., he combines his athletic and scientific expertise to lead a global educational program that promotes neuropsychological wellness in teens through the lens of sports performance. A dynamic mentor and public speaker, Nate is dedicated to translating neuroscience into actionable strategies, empowering individuals and teams to rewire their minds for peak performance and lasting well-being. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx