What if you could trade a paperclip for a house? | Kyle MacDonald | TEDxVienna

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  • Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2015
  • Kyle MacDonald details just exactly how he traded up from one red paperclip to a house, in only a year! It's an unlikely and amazing journey with lots of surprises along the way.
    More information on www.tedxvienna.at
    Kyle MacDonald started with a red paperclip and traded it for a pen. Then traded the pen for a doorknob. And so on!
    This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Комментарии • 11 тыс.

  • @serpathius
    @serpathius 7 лет назад +23791

    *Then he traded the house for a shit ton of paperclips*

    • @yognut72
      @yognut72 7 лет назад +1647

      he did it all again and now he owns a town...

    • @hexaquan
      @hexaquan 7 лет назад +607

      Ensec now he has a state

    • @yognut72
      @yognut72 7 лет назад +471

      Hexaquan trump pulls off head revealing the paperclip guy....

    • @hexaquan
      @hexaquan 7 лет назад +106

      Ensec cant top that

    • @Jontonzoup
      @Jontonzoup 7 лет назад +229

      C A P I T A L I S M

  • @tribeman19
    @tribeman19 4 года назад +26928

    Imagine if this guy had two paper clips.

    • @rcvnow1712
      @rcvnow1712 4 года назад +948

      Then he would have two houses.

    • @mick5055
      @mick5055 4 года назад +1523

      But more importantly, he could have *2* fish pens!

    • @Peppermations
      @Peppermations 4 года назад +416

      Its free real estate

    • @urielseptim910
      @urielseptim910 4 года назад +258

      He could buy the world.

    • @frankwankerl7021
      @frankwankerl7021 4 года назад +136

      Not even shaggy could defeat him that lmao

  • @mandypreston6447
    @mandypreston6447 3 года назад +3166

    This is a great story. But it also pretty much just tells us what we already know: if you go viral, people will give you things.

    • @1.4142
      @1.4142 3 года назад +111

      I'd like to see him dress up as a homeless person and try the same thing.

    • @doupe9768
      @doupe9768 3 года назад +174

      for me the point is, you could be the one who sit and think about something big, or you can be the one who actually start to do something no matter how small, to achieve something big

    • @XDarkXThanatosX
      @XDarkXThanatosX 2 года назад +82

      True. There was so much hype on the story while he was trading things that people were willing to trade down with him just to be part of his story. Without the coverage though...

    • @slurpii4669
      @slurpii4669 2 года назад +7

      Thats basically the life a famous person

    • @johnpeacock7022
      @johnpeacock7022 2 года назад +15

      @@XDarkXThanatosX Without the coverage, there might have to be more stages.

  • @hello0868
    @hello0868 3 года назад +2900

    imagine if he kept going,
    “i traded a paper clip for 4 continent’s”

    • @nolanbennett346
      @nolanbennett346 3 года назад +49

      I traded a paper clip for a private island.

    • @MF_JONES
      @MF_JONES 3 года назад +61

      "I traded a paperclip for weapons grade uranium"

    • @yetidoesstuff228
      @yetidoesstuff228 3 года назад +16

      @@MF_JONES I traded a paper clip for a space X rocket.

    • @TheHyponeoriteChannel
      @TheHyponeoriteChannel 3 года назад +21

      @@yetidoesstuff228 “I traded a paperclip for Mars”.

    • @andywr.097
      @andywr.097 3 года назад +13

      What if he had 2 paperclips.

  • @hakoshgaming5517
    @hakoshgaming5517 4 года назад +8254

    The people who traded you the fish pen were like: I’m about to start this mans whole career

  • @adamlee7886
    @adamlee7886 4 года назад +5475

    Who the feck looks at a paper clip and is like yeah that’s what I’ve always wanted here’s a pen

    • @banaynas4664
      @banaynas4664 4 года назад +584

      I swear I was so confused. But at the same time she prob did it for the lolz

    • @Winterbug068
      @Winterbug068 4 года назад +50

      M e. I d o

    • @jorgecrawford7419
      @jorgecrawford7419 4 года назад +208

      “It wasn’t about the paper clip” ...

    • @smeaglesmegg1243
      @smeaglesmegg1243 4 года назад +22

      I’m sorry, but I like playing with paper clips

    • @SUWANDABOMB
      @SUWANDABOMB 4 года назад +50

      And a fricken cool pen too 🤣🤣

  • @NightSoulco
    @NightSoulco 3 года назад +1396

    Fun fact: you listened to one TedTalk and now you’re in a never ending loop..

  • @krapiak
    @krapiak 3 года назад +562

    A paperclip for a fish pen is an insanely god trade for whoever initially had the paperclip.

    • @Maxime_K-G
      @Maxime_K-G 2 года назад +51

      @xXTheAnnoyingPandaXx And now they own a world-famous paperclip so it kind off worked out for them as well ;)

    • @ausbiscuit
      @ausbiscuit 2 года назад +5

      yes but imagine how much that paperclip is now worth in the event it was sold

    • @Krysdavar
      @Krysdavar Год назад +10

      @@ausbiscuit How would they be able to "authenticate" The Paperclip though? 🤣

    • @ausbiscuit
      @ausbiscuit Год назад +2

      @@Krysdavar idk lol

    • @Krysdavar
      @Krysdavar Год назад +1

      @@ausbiscuit 🤣🤣

  • @Pleshie
    @Pleshie 6 лет назад +15583

    I started with a house and ended up with a red paperclip

    • @darwinmukiryoku
      @darwinmukiryoku 6 лет назад +796

      Ill trade you a fish pen for it.

    • @theashbrothers2769
      @theashbrothers2769 6 лет назад +175

      Legitimacy✘Project I’ll trade you a rainbow paper clip for that

    • @fiber3134
      @fiber3134 6 лет назад +321

      damn, the other way around sounds way more depressing lmao

    • @RazerStudios
      @RazerStudios 6 лет назад +18

      Doctor lol

    • @theX24968Z
      @theX24968Z 6 лет назад +103

      this is how cs:go economy works

  • @arjungupta6
    @arjungupta6 5 лет назад +5043

    Those girls who traded the fishpen in the first place are the Angel Investors of trade-business!

    • @Scorpiojoe24
      @Scorpiojoe24 4 года назад +48

      Hello Arjun

    • @pierro2968
      @pierro2968 4 года назад +192

      And also the camping stove for a doorknob, that is actually a big jump from something useless to an actual workable thing.

    • @Godtierlee
      @Godtierlee 4 года назад +13

      but the value of that paperclip if marketed properly could be immense. Step One in a big journey

    • @bigboy979
      @bigboy979 4 года назад +8

      @The Diamond Clasher no angel investors are investors who give money or products to a business venture that could fail or is just starting off

    • @danboddice3475
      @danboddice3475 4 года назад +5

      Imagine if they decided to trade that paperclip now though. It's not A paperclip, it's THE paperclip. I'd imagine it'll be easier for them to trade this for something good now

  • @ArielleHerring_
    @ArielleHerring_ 9 дней назад +438

    Amazing video, A friend of mine referred me to a financial adviser sometime ago and we got to talking about investment and money. I started investing with $150k and in the first 2 months, my portfolio was reading $274,800. Crazy right!, I decided to reinvest my profit and get more interesting. For over a year we have been working together making consistent profit just bought my second home 2 weeks ago and care for my family.

    • @ArielleHerring_
      @ArielleHerring_ 9 дней назад

      @Wallacee829 However, if you do not have access to a professional like JUDITH ANN PEACE, quitting your job to focus on trading may not be the best approach. It is important to consider all options and seek guidance from reliable sources before making any major decisions. Consulting with an AI or using automated trading systems can also be helpful in managing investments while balancing other commitments

    • @ArielleHerring_
      @ArielleHerring_ 9 дней назад

      @Wallacee829 Judith Ann peace is her name

    • @ArielleHerring_
      @ArielleHerring_ 9 дней назад

      Lookup with her name on the webpage.

    • @ArielleHerring_
      @ArielleHerring_ 9 дней назад

      @Wallacee829 You are welcome

  • @cuppajoe2
    @cuppajoe2 2 года назад +128

    So many people are saying that it only happened because it got a lot of media attention, but he still traded a damn paperclip for a house.

  • @lane8a
    @lane8a 7 лет назад +3095

    Doorknob trade is what made it all possible.

    • @donovan7505
      @donovan7505 7 лет назад +6

      No the guy did

    • @lane8a
      @lane8a 7 лет назад +247

      Doorknob for propane grill was the trade that really helped make this story possible in its original attempt of getting something bigger and better. It later changed into an opportunity for others to get exposure and fame. In my opinion.

    • @nuwbers
      @nuwbers 7 лет назад +28

      Lane Ochoa no a paper clip did

    • @alexzielinski6173
      @alexzielinski6173 7 лет назад +2

      Nuwbers Crazy by vermouth

    • @medianoob9010
      @medianoob9010 7 лет назад +82

      You miss the point. Fame has nothing to do with it. This is a literal representation of 'one person's trash, is another person's treasure'. If you have something that another person really wants, they will be willing to give you so much for it. The snow globe trade to be a prime example!

  • @frankyfranklin1687
    @frankyfranklin1687 5 лет назад +7984

    Kyle: has a red paper clip
    Kyle: it’s free real estate

    • @friend7002
      @friend7002 4 года назад +6

      xXUndigested BaboonxX good comment I approve

    • @konchu4u608
      @konchu4u608 4 года назад +12

      This is an absolutely outstanding comment

    • @choco_jack7016
      @choco_jack7016 4 года назад +5

      i will give you a sub if you let me have this comment

    • @peterdinkler4950
      @peterdinkler4950 4 года назад +5

      *s t o n k s*

    • @konchu4u608
      @konchu4u608 4 года назад +5

      @@peterdinkler4950 you broke the wholesome chain

  • @asafvirin2181
    @asafvirin2181 3 года назад +61

    I actually tried this when I was like 9, but I just gave up because I have too much social anxiety to negotiate with strangers

  • @FunnyKingdom1
    @FunnyKingdom1 3 года назад +368

    I mean its canada, you could just ask someone for a house and they’d probably give it for free….

    • @commentor5479
      @commentor5479 2 года назад +14

      House-requestor: "Give me your $460,000-worth house which provides adequate and atleast-average-level comfort for free and without any catch."
      House-possessor: "Sure! Here you go."

    • @asterrixo
      @asterrixo 2 года назад +9

      cannot confirm, am canadian and i didn't get my house for free. you could probably get a free house by stealing the identity of the original owner though

    • @chrisabdoni925
      @chrisabdoni925 2 года назад +6

      My parents got a free car, stove, microwave, tv, and designer clothes just from going to downtown and talking to a guy at a restaurant. Canada is good.

    • @chrisabdoni925
      @chrisabdoni925 2 года назад

      @Parchment Vincent i'm not lying, are you Canadian because only if ur from Canada then you would understand.

    • @Adrian-dl4vo
      @Adrian-dl4vo 2 года назад

      @@chrisabdoni925 only part i don't believe is the free car. What kind of car is it

  • @TheMapleLab
    @TheMapleLab 7 лет назад +6470

    i wouldve stopped at that pen
    thats a really dope pen tbh

    • @leodtoro
      @leodtoro 7 лет назад +145

      Hey man, that pen was pretty dope.

    • @micasali336
      @micasali336 7 лет назад +14

      Mr. Sam He wouldn't have known he would get a house in the future.

    • @DetectiveDerpy
      @DetectiveDerpy 7 лет назад +11

      I know

    • @navidilt
      @navidilt 7 лет назад +5

      ikr

    • @Krydolph
      @Krydolph 7 лет назад +30

      And thats why YOU will never get a free house my man :)

  • @quickwaffles2222
    @quickwaffles2222 7 лет назад +3431

    I went from a paper clip to a bag of chips. THATS GOOD VALUE

    • @oliviadaley3386
      @oliviadaley3386 7 лет назад +1

      Quick Waffles222 haha

    • @stupidrainbo
      @stupidrainbo 7 лет назад +48

      A pack of paperclips is a dollar (I think?) -- ONE bag of chips is $1+ !

    • @arip.
      @arip. 7 лет назад +161

      Quick Waffles222 bag of air*

    • @peeonablanket3069
      @peeonablanket3069 7 лет назад

      DodaShadow sure you did

    • @beckyg9831
      @beckyg9831 7 лет назад +3

      Because it is the size of your finger lol.

  • @seanferguson5460
    @seanferguson5460 3 года назад +27

    I don't know how many TED talks I've watched but this is my favourite by far!

  • @SpiritRelieveMusic
    @SpiritRelieveMusic 2 года назад +5

    Things to quit right now:
    1. Overthinking
    2. Worrying
    3. Trying to make everyone happy
    4. Living in the past
    5. Doubting yourself

  • @xVeksu
    @xVeksu 8 лет назад +1937

    CS:GO Trading from nothing to a knife.

    • @thesaltycactus1220
      @thesaltycactus1220 8 лет назад

      lol

    • @RuthlessWillGaming
      @RuthlessWillGaming 8 лет назад +14

      thats all ive been thinking about.

    • @xVeksu
      @xVeksu 8 лет назад

      ***** :D

    • @eliaspakkanen1402
      @eliaspakkanen1402 8 лет назад +3

      Been there, and done that in 2 weeks. Not so hard :D

    • @xVeksu
      @xVeksu 8 лет назад

      ***** i went from 30€ to 400€ and cashed out 200€ (and lost else)ty everyone

  • @juangonzalez740
    @juangonzalez740 4 года назад +4061

    Bro, the girls who traded the fish pen could do the exact same thing

    • @user-od8vx2ei9g
      @user-od8vx2ei9g 4 года назад +35

      Juan c Gonzalez yeah lmao

    • @mattmarcotte3294
      @mattmarcotte3294 4 года назад +163

      @@Laser95 so this is where houses come from

    • @rohithreddy75
      @rohithreddy75 4 года назад +2

      Nice idea

    • @benm5345
      @benm5345 4 года назад +28

      But where are they going to find another person willing to trade a pen in the shape of a fish?

    • @rayesafan9628
      @rayesafan9628 4 года назад +31

      Yeah, but it takes time to try to sell something online. And brain effort.
      That's why we find so many things at goodwill.
      And people in the earlier steps were probably more amused with the project than the actual products. (That's why a fish pen was traded for a doorknob of a face, and the doorknob was eventually used for a kettle handle. Quirky people interested in the quirky project.) I think it wasn't until he got to the military guy looking for the burner grill set that people were actually excited for the products.

  • @jwh0122
    @jwh0122 3 года назад +15

    12:12 "Yes, let's build something, let's do something together, let's collaborate, let's see what happens". Great mindset! I think it happens more easily in some countries/cultures than in others.

  • @Gamingkidjoe
    @Gamingkidjoe 2 года назад +17

    Right when I saw the snow globe actor I recognized him as the dad in the tv show psych.

  • @jcwab
    @jcwab 4 года назад +7818

    Imagine doing that whole thing in reverse.

    • @infectedruby
      @infectedruby 4 года назад +938

      I think you could just go from a house to a paper clip anyway without all the stuff in between

    • @cringedriver6915
      @cringedriver6915 4 года назад +92

      🏠📎🖇️

    • @jamlpe
      @jamlpe 4 года назад +96

      imagine. Selling your country to bob down the street.

    • @zaynawan1835
      @zaynawan1835 4 года назад +23

      Yeah, that's my kinda luck

    • @ScrewAngle
      @ScrewAngle 4 года назад +16

      Please stop imagining...

  • @theoharrison4325
    @theoharrison4325 4 года назад +4549

    Next time: I trade a eraser for ownership of Morocco

    • @hugo57k91
      @hugo57k91 4 года назад +88

      Then: I traded a pack of gum for San Marino

    • @saadcrash1111
      @saadcrash1111 4 года назад +61

      I accept. where is the eraser?

    • @Adomas_B
      @Adomas_B 4 года назад +22

      I trade a Post-It note for Russia's nuclear warheads

    • @theoharrison4325
      @theoharrison4325 4 года назад +9

      Jesse Montgomery I am very sorry

    • @f1shlad
      @f1shlad 4 года назад +4

      I traded some dust for the United States

  • @szissor156
    @szissor156 3 года назад +2

    Every two years or so I come back and watch this video. Amazes me every time I watch it :)

  • @Cybernaut551
    @Cybernaut551 2 года назад

    This has got to be my first TEDx Talk that I have seen on RUclips.

  • @sahilchouhan8893
    @sahilchouhan8893 4 года назад +6213

    I'm depressed cause I have a Blue paperclip not a Red one.

    • @Mrnucklebuck
      @Mrnucklebuck 4 года назад +13

      I have a pent paper clip that’s bent into a nickel brass

    • @revoltncock
      @revoltncock 4 года назад +82

      I'll trade 1 house for it.

    • @MilosTerzic
      @MilosTerzic 4 года назад +33

      I always wanted a blue paperclip to fulfill my collection.

    • @kingargon
      @kingargon 4 года назад +1

      Why did you capitalize every noun? They’re not proper nouns, you don’t need to.

    • @kingargon
      @kingargon 4 года назад +2

      WaitingToFade lol

  • @anthonykf99
    @anthonykf99 7 лет назад +4437

    Instructions weren't clear, I traded my house for a paper clip.

  • @Bobin-tu5bh
    @Bobin-tu5bh 3 года назад +208

    pov: this isn't him, he traded his identity for a space expedition ticket from elon musk

    • @apocalypticblox2346
      @apocalypticblox2346 3 года назад +13

      That’s not a point of view, that’s a plot twist.

    • @clownfish5371
      @clownfish5371 3 года назад +1

      he'd trade that for the role of president instead

  • @keriddunk1520
    @keriddunk1520 2 года назад +12

    This seriously, if true, is one of the best feel-good stories that I have heard. Could turn into a movie.

  • @HankTheTank23
    @HankTheTank23 8 лет назад +2018

    The hardest trade had to be the first. Who the hell wants a paperclip?

    • @KevinBolsajian
      @KevinBolsajian 8 лет назад +37

      Me

    • @martinm.1371
      @martinm.1371 8 лет назад +22

      Me

    • @laxpuer
      @laxpuer 8 лет назад

      +Kevin Bolsajian +unbreakable insa what will you give me for it?

    • @nickwongold
      @nickwongold 8 лет назад +187

      You need to find someone with a sense of humor.

    • @neelparmar6690
      @neelparmar6690 8 лет назад +37

      Someone wanting to own a famous paper clip I guess.

  • @Angelo-ki4vw
    @Angelo-ki4vw 4 года назад +1513

    Then he traded the house for “magic beans” from a salesman

  • @alexcj3250
    @alexcj3250 2 года назад +8

    *"He's a man of focus, commitment, and sheer f**king will"*

  • @vacuumcleaner9595
    @vacuumcleaner9595 2 года назад +8

    This is the only Ted talk that I’ve ever looked up to watch

  • @lukef6940
    @lukef6940 5 лет назад +2589

    The fish pen was the coolest thing here and you know it.

  • @emily-mt6ug
    @emily-mt6ug 5 лет назад +2340

    WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP THAT PEN

    • @tortoiselover2044
      @tortoiselover2044 5 лет назад +64

      Ikr I would have kept the fish pen, it's better than a red paperclip

    • @riyabhatti24
      @riyabhatti24 5 лет назад +17

      Bcuz if he didn’t he wouldn’t get a house! 😂

    • @BudderB0y2222
      @BudderB0y2222 5 лет назад +80

      @@riyabhatti24 They mean why would anyone trade a fishpen for a paperclip in the first place

    • @satoshinakamoto1305
      @satoshinakamoto1305 5 лет назад

      lmao

    • @etho7351
      @etho7351 5 лет назад

      To get a paperclip

  • @timg3679
    @timg3679 2 года назад

    Saw this video a bunch of years ago, but it's so heartwarming!

  • @deadsilentzzz5737
    @deadsilentzzz5737 3 года назад +18

    I’ve been doing the paperclip challenge at my school every year on April 10th. From when I was in 6th grade to now when I’m in 10th I’ve gotten some pretty great stuff that I still keep and cherish

    • @sockmonkier
      @sockmonkier 2 года назад +1

      Oh, that's so cool! What did you get?

    • @paxhumana2015
      @paxhumana2015 2 года назад +1

      DeadSilentzzz, I agree with the other person...I too am curious as to what you have traded up to in your life.

  • @spongebobboxpants6808
    @spongebobboxpants6808 8 лет назад +1783

    I started with a paperclip and ended with a Lamborghini.
    I used the paperclip as a key to hijack the Lambo's door open.

  • @everyoneisdisappointedinme6428
    @everyoneisdisappointedinme6428 5 лет назад +2987

    I traded a red paperclip for a yellow paperclip

  • @VictorAntonioLive
    @VictorAntonioLive 2 года назад +1

    This has to be the MOST ORIGINAL Ted talk I've ever seen!!!

  • @ImTheDaveman
    @ImTheDaveman 3 года назад +1

    I've watched some amazing and not so amazing RUclips videos today. I gotta say without a doubt THIS ONE is perhaps the best one I've seen all month long! Keep in mind, there's been some amazing stuff - but this one is The Best!

  • @babarmohammad1639
    @babarmohammad1639 7 лет назад +1960

    Step 1: get a paper clip
    Step 2: trade the paper clip until you get a house
    Step 3:trade the house for a million paper clips
    Step 4: repeat step 2

    • @fungling7982
      @fungling7982 6 лет назад +193

      And start making bots that can trade for you

    • @Games-bb8de
      @Games-bb8de 6 лет назад +2

      Babar Moham

    • @themagicman6965
      @themagicman6965 6 лет назад +100

      Why stopping at a house? Trade the house till you own the world!

    • @lucaslucas191202
      @lucaslucas191202 6 лет назад +78

      CrazySquare i'll just combine this better
      Step 1: get a paper clip
      Step 2: trade the paper clip until you get a house
      Step 3: trade the house for a million paper clips
      Step 4: repeat step 2
      Step 5: Trade for bots that repeat step 2 and 3
      Step 6: Make time machines so you can get your paper clips back before you even traded them, then trade them again

    • @AdamSilverbu
      @AdamSilverbu 6 лет назад +46

      And that's the story of how I went from finding a paper clip to owning the entire real estate market and inventing a time machine

  • @ArchaiVR
    @ArchaiVR 4 года назад +3382

    Starts with a Paperclips ends with a house
    STONKS 📈

  • @quicktutorialschannel2884
    @quicktutorialschannel2884 Год назад +1

    This is definitely the best Ted show I've ever seen in my entire life you can learn so much about human nature innovation and other cool stuff that will make your journey in life so much better and so much stronger

  • @nateisnot8867
    @nateisnot8867 3 года назад +2

    Just so you guys know, I live in a town about 30 minutes away from Kipling, and my Mom lives in Kipling so when ever my sister and I go there we walk past this house because my Mom knows Kyle

  • @irictatt
    @irictatt 3 года назад +3182

    1. Bend the paperclip.
    2. Pick a lock.
    3. Walk into the house saying "This is my house now"
    4. You now own a house.

    • @toasterpirate7912
      @toasterpirate7912 2 года назад +101

      A Questionable shortcut

    • @iiShqdow
      @iiShqdow 2 года назад +233

      5. Go to jail
      6. Now you get free food shelter and clothes

    • @tuba2987
      @tuba2987 2 года назад +22

      @@iiShqdow the end :D

    • @Welther47
      @Welther47 2 года назад +18

      *3 figure out it's not so easy to pick a lock.
      4 go home and rethink your life.

    • @imnotgoodwithnames8502
      @imnotgoodwithnames8502 2 года назад +11

      @@Welther47 *3 get something to hold tension. 4 continue to easily unlock your average house lock. 5 walk into your new home and rethink your life in a bed

  • @cornbread4535
    @cornbread4535 7 лет назад +1296

    I gotta go look for a paper clip...

    • @Dylan-xl9gp
      @Dylan-xl9gp 7 лет назад +3

      Corn Bread o snap, I don't have one!

    • @davidbeauchemin1840
      @davidbeauchemin1840 7 лет назад +24

      The magic of this is it can be anything, but you need to know the value of what you're trading for.

    • @motalota7866
      @motalota7866 7 лет назад +2

      Corn Bread lol

    • @joshuapalafox8079
      @joshuapalafox8079 6 лет назад +6

      Corn Bread lol

    • @unicockboy1666
      @unicockboy1666 6 лет назад +4

      Corn Bread Just trade it for your house?!

  • @alfiedj
    @alfiedj 2 года назад +3

    Amazing story. Goes to show that a little idea could develop into something much more.

  • @captainhindsight8779
    @captainhindsight8779 3 года назад +1

    BEHIND DESIGNS BROUGHT ME HERE!

  • @eyeeyuhh3978
    @eyeeyuhh3978 7 лет назад +201

    one time i went from a paperclip to a paperclip with paper clipped into it.

  • @dude99844
    @dude99844 4 года назад +4027

    how to be king of the world:
    1. Find paperclip
    2. Trade up till you get a house
    3. Trade house for a ton of paperclips
    4. Keep repeating till you eventually own every building in the world
    *STONKS*

    • @noodel3374
      @noodel3374 4 года назад +61

      or you just build a hous out of paperclips

    • @anyatindall5678
      @anyatindall5678 4 года назад +26

      @@noodel3374 but then you can't own EVERY house and be king of the world
      BIG BRAIN

    • @zachmiles1352
      @zachmiles1352 4 года назад +25

      l .basti. l or you could build an even bigger paper clip out of houses 👻

    • @walterhines6148
      @walterhines6148 4 года назад +3

      Thats to over confidence. Plus unfair to own all the world.

    • @price9773
      @price9773 4 года назад +9

      Real life monopoly

  • @vikramj.2923
    @vikramj.2923 3 года назад +140

    “I shall now trade some fresh dirt for the entire continent of Asia"

    • @dhrutube
      @dhrutube 2 года назад +3

      some guy did trade beach sand till a tesla

    • @herps4life33
      @herps4life33 2 года назад +1

      Asia? I was thinking Africa

  • @imperialthreat
    @imperialthreat Месяц назад

    I think this is my favorite Ted talk. Truthfully. I can’t remember any others right now but still

  • @xHarlequin
    @xHarlequin 3 года назад +5375

    For anyone wondering, he turned the house into a café. It’s called “Paperclip Cottage”

    • @tintschi2049
      @tintschi2049 3 года назад +147

      That's really cool actually!

    • @zuperpiplup13
      @zuperpiplup13 3 года назад +68

      That’s wholesome

    • @soup6482
      @soup6482 3 года назад +109

      I was not wondering but thank you for sharing

    • @larseirikfodnes4361
      @larseirikfodnes4361 3 года назад +62

      Crazy how a red paperclip became the foundation for a real business... you just can't make that kind of stuff up 😂

    • @thegamingkids_234
      @thegamingkids_234 3 года назад +29

      Whoever's reading this remember God loves you so so much

  • @puuhapete8422
    @puuhapete8422 4 года назад +2164

    I was just left wondering:
    what would had happened if the paperclip was blue intead of red?

    • @justinweber4977
      @justinweber4977 3 года назад +140

      Beach Front Property.

    • @russelltan161
      @russelltan161 3 года назад +58

      that obviously changes the whole game... duh

    • @winnipeg1940
      @winnipeg1940 3 года назад +77

      Well then, my friend, the value of the paperclip would go up. You see, dear Puuha, the blue species of paper clip is extremely rare and therefore costs more than a puny red paper clip.

    • @soup1758
      @soup1758 3 года назад +42

      He would own about 54% off the earth's mass

    • @thegamingkids_234
      @thegamingkids_234 3 года назад +1

      Whoever's reading this remember God loves you so so much

  • @carolsparks7070
    @carolsparks7070 Год назад

    What an amazing story! Made me feel happy.

  • @skywizard3319
    @skywizard3319 2 года назад +1

    best ted talk ever

  • @simonockas
    @simonockas 5 лет назад +3297

    You could actually use the paperclip to do this fancy technique called "lockpicking" and therefore trade the paperclips for funny things, such as bicycles, money, or TVs.

  • @joonk169
    @joonk169 5 лет назад +891

    moral of the story: a house in middle of nowhere is worth a paperclip.

    • @luisserna773
      @luisserna773 4 года назад +5

      Joon K it’s not worth a paper clip.

    • @Lightflames85
      @Lightflames85 4 года назад +26

      you never know what a house in the middle of nowhere is worth to someone out there on the internet.

    • @tomcruz9118
      @tomcruz9118 4 года назад +3

      Just rent it out

    • @davidkroeker8269
      @davidkroeker8269 4 года назад +26

      Ever tried living in the middle of nowhere? It’s nice, peaceful. Worth at least 2 red paper clips

    • @SuperGuitarboyz
      @SuperGuitarboyz 4 года назад +1

      funny af bro hahahaha

  • @RaymondCore
    @RaymondCore 2 года назад

    I took a course in personal realization called Millennium3 and was tasked with turning a kitchen match into something of greater value without telling anyone it was part of the course I was taking. Three hours and a dozen trades later I had a cable-ready color TV. I shocked myself. Now I know that anything is possible.

  • @babyface94283
    @babyface94283 3 года назад

    This is amazing!

  • @M17_Max
    @M17_Max 4 года назад +2233

    So I have a paperclip. Does anybody have a house? Will also accept a fish pen

    • @YoAbdi
      @YoAbdi 4 года назад +13

      ha

    • @dudepool7530
      @dudepool7530 4 года назад +76

      damn, so close. I have a parrot pen...

    • @Gay_Jesus
      @Gay_Jesus 4 года назад +3

      @Doni Bobes why do you even try we know you're fake

    • @thatsstoguy
      @thatsstoguy 4 года назад +33

      U want a dead body?

    • @maeg.9123
      @maeg.9123 4 года назад +3

      @@thatsstoguy and i oop

  • @PariosLablo
    @PariosLablo 5 лет назад +7271

    I started as a fetus and now I’m a disappointment

    • @What-xe7hx
      @What-xe7hx 5 лет назад +31

      Moss what a mood

    • @Regimeshifts
      @Regimeshifts 5 лет назад +42

      Well, at least you are a BIG disappointment. Not everyone achieves that. Well done buddy

    • @jamiewelsh5293
      @jamiewelsh5293 5 лет назад +1

      💀

    • @LJDan_
      @LJDan_ 5 лет назад +1

      Everyone starts somewhere 🙂

    • @stopmotionfriends7174
      @stopmotionfriends7174 5 лет назад +2

      You started as a cell

  • @Soundsiinspiration
    @Soundsiinspiration 2 года назад

    amazing story, brilliant idea.

  • @dennisoffline1568
    @dennisoffline1568 2 года назад

    this is probably the best ted talk ever made XD

  • @mr.celery4685
    @mr.celery4685 6 лет назад +3333

    "This is the worst trade deal possibly in the history of trade deals"

  • @JTorete
    @JTorete 5 лет назад +1634

    fish pen>house

  • @paulussantosowidjaja93
    @paulussantosowidjaja93 2 года назад +1

    Paper clip magic journey metamorphicly turned into a house. Thank you for the great story.

  • @renemiko123
    @renemiko123 3 года назад +3

    9:52 OMG,I just broke a glass,because I was shocked,that this was actor from psych. He played Henry Spencer there,it was so frickin good.

  • @grackleklopp9633
    @grackleklopp9633 5 лет назад +1291

    Karen took everything, the house, the kids, and even the goddamn fish pen

    • @SimpleInThinking
      @SimpleInThinking 5 лет назад +5

      Lol the karen trend is so ridiculous xD

    • @therandomnumber2641
      @therandomnumber2641 4 года назад +3

      "With a Red shiny Paperclip!!!"

    • @ryansawyer5983
      @ryansawyer5983 4 года назад +1

      Lmao

    • @masonp.6255
      @masonp.6255 4 года назад +1

      Man, Karen come back, I miss that fish pen.

    • @madimo2369
      @madimo2369 4 года назад +1

      Duncan Wilsoun Karen please come back I miss the paper clip
      Look up “Karen please come back I miss the kids” by Wilbur soot

  • @TheTrippleTKA
    @TheTrippleTKA 7 лет назад +17106

    I never would've traded my fish pen. /The End.

  • @andyyu1479
    @andyyu1479 3 года назад +47

    After watching this so many times, I finally noticed he has different coloured shoes lol

  • @dianedeutschlander864
    @dianedeutschlander864 2 года назад

    Incredible job🤯

  • @zachw5500
    @zachw5500 6 лет назад +563

    The real winner was the guy that traded away a snowglobe.

  • @supersophisticated9943
    @supersophisticated9943 7 лет назад +1893

    He should've kept trading, maybe could've gotten U.S. missle launch codes and presidency.

    • @Woutva
      @Woutva 6 лет назад +94

      There were two dutch guys who did something similair, at some point they had a massive amouth of money, and decided to put everything on red in a casino. They lost.
      They didnt want to put half of it or whatever, because it was about the adventure, but yea, that moment they realised it was over was pretty harsh.

    • @BrutalOverride
      @BrutalOverride 6 лет назад +3

      😂

    • @user-xe4jd3kr4q
      @user-xe4jd3kr4q 6 лет назад

      Super Sophisticated 😂😂😂💀

    • @idreary7590
      @idreary7590 6 лет назад +2

      Its possible

    • @liudas8186
      @liudas8186 6 лет назад +26

      He could of gotten a third world country for that house

  • @chosen1504
    @chosen1504 2 года назад

    Please write a book about your experience!!!! Awsome!

  • @Buduhu
    @Buduhu 3 года назад

    Wow. I have a bunch of paper clips rn and have nothing to do with them. thanks for motivation!

  • @kilzyhere1797
    @kilzyhere1797 6 лет назад +3969

    I just bought a box of paper clips.

  • @Faolan_Grey
    @Faolan_Grey 6 лет назад +1562

    Dude, I would have kept the fish pen, I've never seen that before.

    • @lucidByte
      @lucidByte 6 лет назад +9

      right!

    • @boom-rp7ob
      @boom-rp7ob 6 лет назад +3

      Grey Wolf same

    • @NirvanMullick
      @NirvanMullick 5 лет назад +23

      Odd fact, I have the fish pen.

    • @aiden2969
      @aiden2969 5 лет назад +22

      Nirvan Mullick i will trade you a paper clip for it

    • @Curdisy
      @Curdisy 5 лет назад +10

      Paul Davenport I'll give you a doorknob with a face on it

  • @stitchsteez2364
    @stitchsteez2364 2 года назад +6

    I love this! Moral: go for it! Execute on your ideas no matter how silly they may seem

  • @TroyGabe
    @TroyGabe 2 года назад

    It's got to help who you know and who will make the deal. Nicely done Congratulations

  • @tommykarrick9130
    @tommykarrick9130 6 лет назад +1321

    This is insane
    This is truly fucking amazing
    Like
    This guy got himself a house
    But holy shit he left a trail of happy people and improved lives in his wake
    This might be my favorite TED talk I've ever seen
    They're usually like "this is how I improved my life," "this is how I started my career," "here's how I helped out a friend," this guy though, he blazed a trail of happiness across a country.

    • @joe9832
      @joe9832 6 лет назад +67

      I don't know, if I traded for that red paperclip with my fish pen, I'd be pretty annoyed I just gave away a potential house.

    • @NO1xANIMExFAN
      @NO1xANIMExFAN 6 лет назад

      LOL

    • @MisterMotel
      @MisterMotel 6 лет назад +1

      true story

    • @ProfessorSyndicateFranklai
      @ProfessorSyndicateFranklai 6 лет назад +9

      Well, what made it all happen is his ability to connect buyers and sellers, thus creating value in the economy. Anybody could do it, but only he did.

    • @HKoopman
      @HKoopman 6 лет назад +1

      tommy karrick my favorite ted talk was Arther Benjimen

  • @minecraftexpertproskillz3604
    @minecraftexpertproskillz3604 4 года назад +606

    Did you do it
    Yes
    What did it cost
    *A PAPERCLIP*

  • @sammyquinteros2847
    @sammyquinteros2847 3 года назад

    This is awesome. Im going to see what I can do with a couple items in my closet

  • @CoffeeSuccubus
    @CoffeeSuccubus 8 месяцев назад +2

    Give a man a paperclip, you'll give him a house for a day
    Teach a man to paperclip, and you'll give him houses for a lifetime

  • @tejpatil3065
    @tejpatil3065 4 года назад +1788

    Villager: I'll give you 1 emerald for that house

  • @charliedoubleyoy
    @charliedoubleyoy 4 года назад +461

    "And what kind of payment are you using?"
    "uhhh paper clip"

    • @Oskuro_
      @Oskuro_ 4 года назад +6

      Sold

    • @Adomas_B
      @Adomas_B 4 года назад +2

      What's the paperclip-pencil exchange rate

  • @g-wm6392
    @g-wm6392 3 года назад

    im actually going to undertake this project under the notion of a self-initiation, no one is making me do this. embarking on this for the sole reason of truly understanding the value behind material possession and the commercial economics we live in

  • @Rhovanion85
    @Rhovanion85 2 года назад +6

    He worked so hard for it, I think that's just how economy works. You work and increase value of things and make people's lives better.

  • @kinglionelmessi
    @kinglionelmessi 7 лет назад +251

    One time my friends and I tried this, we started with a pencil and went door to door asking if people wanted to trade. Within a matter of hours we had a fully functional TV and a wii, we tried this again and within 2 hours went from a pencil to a fish tank, a washer machine, and a TV. It made me realize that sometimes to get what you want, all you have to do is ask.

    • @RacingCart
      @RacingCart 7 лет назад +30

      Yeah that's actually one of my quotes "You can get a lot more from life simply by asking"

    • @ethan7744
      @ethan7744 6 лет назад +1

      kinglionelmessi omg so true

    • @ToniVucic
      @ToniVucic 6 лет назад

      kinglionelmessi Awesome!

    • @104spun
      @104spun 6 лет назад +12

      well it can't be hard getting what you want if you are Lionel Messi

    • @baseerahmad5396
      @baseerahmad5396 6 лет назад +4

      jojotube157 what is hard, is getting into that position for which he put in hours of dedication and hard work.

  • @SparshAgrawal44K
    @SparshAgrawal44K 7 лет назад +1763

    My first question is, who goes on craigslist for a paperclip?

  • @megashooter
    @megashooter Год назад

    I could watch this a hundred times. I am actually trying this. I'm just not recording my journey. I started with a polished rock that I've tumbled myself.

  • @dalibofurnell
    @dalibofurnell 5 месяцев назад

    ❤this doesn't get old 😊 so awesome and inspiring

  • @Rex-yb2nc
    @Rex-yb2nc 6 лет назад +494

    He traded a paperclip for a fish pen a fish pen for a weird doorknob a weird doorknob for a camping stove a camping stove for a generator a generator for a IOU and a Budweiser sign a IOU and a Budweiser sign for a snowmobile a snowmobile for a trip to the Rockies a trip to the Rockies for a truck a truck for a recording contract a recording contract for free rent for a year free rent for a year for a day with Alice Cooper a day with Alice Cooper for a KISS snow-globe a KISS snow-globe for a role in a movie and a role in a movie for a house.
    This totally did not take me forever.

  • @CHAOS_6E
    @CHAOS_6E 4 года назад +251

    I love how TED used a thumbnail of him without his hands up.

  • @adityamenon6365
    @adityamenon6365 3 года назад +12

    PLOT TWIST : THE PAPERCLIP WAS THE NAME OF A MANSION.

  • @bFOURdwZEROlf
    @bFOURdwZEROlf 7 месяцев назад +1

    I love this story