As noted in a prior post if you watch enough TED videos you develop what I call a threshold complex - which in this case manifests itself in the question…… is a TED video I have watched good enough to share? And if the threshold for interesting is actually met, then which one might I select – they are all so wicked cool. Might one be better for the THPL community than another? And on and on it goes. Yes, in the world of overabundance, choice becomes harder and harder. Maybe the guys at Trader Joe’s are right –the less you have to pick from the better. But alas, it might be too late for that, with north of 550 TED and TEDx, videos watched there are times when I feel like I am at a crowded cocktail party with the world’s who’s who of interesting people talking so loudly that all I hear is noise.

Well, THPL has taught me that a bit of focus can get you through moments like this and so I did just that and found a TED video, that I believe is suitable for such an august group - in this case the THPL community. Watch this presentation by Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC Transportation Commissioner since 2007. Janette starts the talk with the statement "The work of a transportation commissioner isn’t just about stop signs and traffic signals," In partnership with Mayor Bloomberg she works a set of initiatives to reshape street life in the five boroughs, including the addition of pedestrian zones in Times Square and the arrival of Citi Bikes. Having lived in and around NYC for the better back of the past 30 years I am amazed at the way her vision took shape and how it changed what everyone thought was not possible in a city of the size and scale of NY.

Interestingly, as visionary as she is – she is practical, data driven and customer focused. She brings to light, in her talk, many of the core principles of how to make change stick and how we need to embrace new approaches to living in our ever increasing urban world. Remarkable, truly remarkable.

Loving life walking on an urban greenway

Ciao

Joe