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

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  • Опубліковано 19 лис 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

КОМЕНТАРІ • 11 тис.

  • @serpathius
    @serpathius 7 років тому +23791

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

    • @yognut72
      @yognut72 7 років тому +1647

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

    • @hexaquan
      @hexaquan 7 років тому +607

      Ensec now he has a state

    • @yognut72
      @yognut72 7 років тому +471

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

    • @hexaquan
      @hexaquan 7 років тому +106

      Ensec cant top that

    • @Jontonzoup
      @Jontonzoup 7 років тому +229

      C A P I T A L I S M

  • @anthonykf99
    @anthonykf99 7 років тому +4435

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

  • @mandypreston6447
    @mandypreston6447 3 роки тому +3165

    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 роки тому +111

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

    • @doupe9768
      @doupe9768 3 роки тому +173

      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 роки тому +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 роки тому +7

      Thats basically the life a famous person

    • @johnpeacock7022
      @johnpeacock7022 2 роки тому +15

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

  • @hello0868
    @hello0868 3 роки тому +2898

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

    • @nolanbennett346
      @nolanbennett346 3 роки тому +48

      I traded a paper clip for a private island.

    • @MF_JONES
      @MF_JONES 3 роки тому +61

      "I traded a paperclip for weapons grade uranium"

    • @yetidoesstuff228
      @yetidoesstuff228 3 роки тому +16

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

    • @TheHyponeoriteChannel
      @TheHyponeoriteChannel 3 роки тому +21

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

    • @andywr.097
      @andywr.097 3 роки тому +13

      What if he had 2 paperclips.

  • @tribeman19
    @tribeman19 4 роки тому +26928

    Imagine if this guy had two paper clips.

    • @rcvnow1712
      @rcvnow1712 4 роки тому +948

      Then he would have two houses.

    • @mick5055
      @mick5055 4 роки тому +1523

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

    • @Peppermations
      @Peppermations 4 роки тому +416

      Its free real estate

    • @urielseptim910
      @urielseptim910 4 роки тому +258

      He could buy the world.

    • @frankwankerl7021
      @frankwankerl7021 4 роки тому +136

      Not even shaggy could defeat him that lmao

  • @Pleshie
    @Pleshie 6 років тому +15580

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

    • @darwinmukiryoku
      @darwinmukiryoku 6 років тому +796

      Ill trade you a fish pen for it.

    • @theashbrothers2769
      @theashbrothers2769 6 років тому +175

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

    • @fiber3134
      @fiber3134 6 років тому +321

      damn, the other way around sounds way more depressing lmao

    • @RazerStudios
      @RazerStudios 6 років тому +18

      Doctor lol

    • @theX24968Z
      @theX24968Z 6 років тому +103

      this is how cs:go economy works

  • @krapiak
    @krapiak 3 роки тому +559

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

    • @Maxime_K-G
      @Maxime_K-G 2 роки тому +51

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

    • @ausbiscuit
      @ausbiscuit 2 роки тому +5

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

    • @Krysdavar
      @Krysdavar Рік тому +10

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

    • @ausbiscuit
      @ausbiscuit Рік тому +2

      @@Krysdavar idk lol

    • @Krysdavar
      @Krysdavar Рік тому +1

      @@ausbiscuit 🤣🤣

  • @NightSoulco
    @NightSoulco 3 роки тому +1395

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

  • @hakoshgaming5517
    @hakoshgaming5517 4 роки тому +8252

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

  • @arjungupta6
    @arjungupta6 5 років тому +5042

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

    • @Scorpiojoe24
      @Scorpiojoe24 4 роки тому +48

      Hello Arjun

    • @pierro2968
      @pierro2968 4 роки тому +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 роки тому +13

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

    • @bigboy979
      @bigboy979 4 роки тому +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 роки тому +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

  • @patrickhill4562
    @patrickhill4562 3 роки тому +265

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

    • @kastironwoman6009
      @kastironwoman6009 2 роки тому +35

      HE did not turn the house into a cafe. He turned the house back over to the city and THEY turned it into a cafe. It is the city's only tourist attraction/ Claim to fame.

    • @roughryder5
      @roughryder5 2 роки тому +8

      @@kastironwoman6009 Wonder if he makes any royalties off that cafe.

    • @GenuineA-HOLE
      @GenuineA-HOLE 2 роки тому +9

      @@roughryder5 I sure hope so. Unless that was the trade 0-0

    • @northernlight40
      @northernlight40 2 роки тому +3

      He didn’t pay the taxes on the property so the town sold the property ,it did become a cafe

    • @greywolf7577
      @greywolf7577 2 роки тому +4

      @@northernlight40 Wait, so now he has nothing?

  • @cuppajoe2
    @cuppajoe2 2 роки тому +127

    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.

  • @frankyfranklin1687
    @frankyfranklin1687 5 років тому +7982

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

    • @friend7002
      @friend7002 4 роки тому +6

      xXUndigested BaboonxX good comment I approve

    • @konchu4u608
      @konchu4u608 4 роки тому +12

      This is an absolutely outstanding comment

    • @choco_jack7016
      @choco_jack7016 4 роки тому +5

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

    • @peterdinkler4950
      @peterdinkler4950 4 роки тому +5

      *s t o n k s*

    • @konchu4u608
      @konchu4u608 4 роки тому +5

      @@peterdinkler4950 you broke the wholesome chain

  • @juangonzalez740
    @juangonzalez740 4 роки тому +4060

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

    • @user-od8vx2ei9g
      @user-od8vx2ei9g 4 роки тому +35

      Juan c Gonzalez yeah lmao

    • @mattmarcotte3294
      @mattmarcotte3294 4 роки тому +163

      @@Laser95 so this is where houses come from

    • @rohithreddy75
      @rohithreddy75 4 роки тому +2

      Nice idea

    • @benm5345
      @benm5345 4 роки тому +28

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

    • @rayesafan9628
      @rayesafan9628 4 роки тому +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.

  • @ArielleHerring_
    @ArielleHerring_ 6 днів тому +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_ 6 днів тому

      @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_ 6 днів тому

      @Wallacee829 Judith Ann peace is her name

    • @ArielleHerring_
      @ArielleHerring_ 6 днів тому

      Lookup with her name on the webpage.

    • @ArielleHerring_
      @ArielleHerring_ 6 днів тому

      @Wallacee829 You are welcome

  • @asafvirin2181
    @asafvirin2181 3 роки тому +60

    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

  • @adamlee7886
    @adamlee7886 4 роки тому +5472

    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 роки тому +584

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

    • @Winterbug068
      @Winterbug068 4 роки тому +50

      M e. I d o

    • @jorgecrawford7419
      @jorgecrawford7419 4 роки тому +207

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

    • @smeaglesmegg1243
      @smeaglesmegg1243 4 роки тому +22

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

    • @SUWANDABOMB
      @SUWANDABOMB 4 роки тому +49

      And a fricken cool pen too 🤣🤣

  • @lane8a
    @lane8a 7 років тому +3092

    Doorknob trade is what made it all possible.

    • @donovan7505
      @donovan7505 7 років тому +6

      No the guy did

    • @lane8a
      @lane8a 7 років тому +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 років тому +28

      Lane Ochoa no a paper clip did

    • @alexzielinski6173
      @alexzielinski6173 7 років тому +2

      Nuwbers Crazy by vermouth

    • @medianoob9010
      @medianoob9010 7 років тому +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!

  • @jwh0122
    @jwh0122 3 роки тому +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.

  • @SpiritRelieveMusic
    @SpiritRelieveMusic 2 роки тому +4

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

  • @irictatt
    @irictatt 3 роки тому +3180

    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 роки тому +100

      A Questionable shortcut

    • @iiShqdow
      @iiShqdow 2 роки тому +232

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

    • @tuba2987
      @tuba2987 2 роки тому +22

      @@iiShqdow the end :D

    • @Welther47
      @Welther47 2 роки тому +18

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

    • @imnotgoodwithnames8502
      @imnotgoodwithnames8502 2 роки тому +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

  • @ArchaiVR
    @ArchaiVR 4 роки тому +3380

    Starts with a Paperclips ends with a house
    STONKS 📈

  • @seanferguson5460
    @seanferguson5460 3 роки тому +26

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

  • @Bobin-tu5bh
    @Bobin-tu5bh 3 роки тому +208

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

    • @apocalypticblox2346
      @apocalypticblox2346 3 роки тому +13

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

    • @clownfish5371
      @clownfish5371 3 роки тому +1

      he'd trade that for the role of president instead

  • @TheMapleLab
    @TheMapleLab 7 років тому +6466

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

    • @leodtoro
      @leodtoro 7 років тому +145

      Hey man, that pen was pretty dope.

    • @micasali336
      @micasali336 7 років тому +14

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

    • @DetectiveDerpy
      @DetectiveDerpy 7 років тому +11

      I know

    • @navidilt
      @navidilt 7 років тому +5

      ikr

    • @Krydolph
      @Krydolph 7 років тому +30

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

  • @quickwaffles2222
    @quickwaffles2222 7 років тому +3430

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

    • @oliviadaley3386
      @oliviadaley3386 7 років тому +1

      Quick Waffles222 haha

    • @stupidrainbo
      @stupidrainbo 7 років тому +48

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

    • @arip.
      @arip. 7 років тому +161

      Quick Waffles222 bag of air*

    • @peeonablanket3069
      @peeonablanket3069 7 років тому

      DodaShadow sure you did

    • @beckyg9831
      @beckyg9831 7 років тому +3

      Because it is the size of your finger lol.

  • @FunnyKingdom1
    @FunnyKingdom1 3 роки тому +368

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

    • @commentor5479
      @commentor5479 2 роки тому +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 роки тому +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 роки тому +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 роки тому

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

    • @Adrian-dl4vo
      @Adrian-dl4vo 2 роки тому

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

  • @alexcj3250
    @alexcj3250 2 роки тому +8

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

  • @theoharrison4325
    @theoharrison4325 4 роки тому +4549

    Next time: I trade a eraser for ownership of Morocco

    • @hugo57k91
      @hugo57k91 4 роки тому +88

      Then: I traded a pack of gum for San Marino

    • @saadcrash1111
      @saadcrash1111 4 роки тому +61

      I accept. where is the eraser?

    • @Adomas_B
      @Adomas_B 4 роки тому +22

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

    • @theoharrison4325
      @theoharrison4325 4 роки тому +9

      Jesse Montgomery I am very sorry

    • @f1shlad
      @f1shlad 4 роки тому +4

      I traded some dust for the United States

  • @PariosLablo
    @PariosLablo 5 років тому +7270

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

    • @What-xe7hx
      @What-xe7hx 5 років тому +31

      Moss what a mood

    • @Regimeshifts
      @Regimeshifts 5 років тому +42

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

    • @jamiewelsh5293
      @jamiewelsh5293 5 років тому +1

      💀

    • @LJDan_
      @LJDan_ 5 років тому +1

      Everyone starts somewhere 🙂

    • @stopmotionfriends7174
      @stopmotionfriends7174 5 років тому +2

      You started as a cell

  • @Cybernaut551
    @Cybernaut551 2 роки тому

    This has got to be my first TEDx Talk that I have seen on UA-cam.

  • @szissor156
    @szissor156 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @spongebobboxpants6808
    @spongebobboxpants6808 8 років тому +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.

  • @sahilchouhan8893
    @sahilchouhan8893 4 роки тому +6212

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

    • @Mrnucklebuck
      @Mrnucklebuck 4 роки тому +13

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

    • @revoltncock
      @revoltncock 4 роки тому +82

      I'll trade 1 house for it.

    • @MilosTerzic
      @MilosTerzic 4 роки тому +33

      I always wanted a blue paperclip to fulfill my collection.

    • @kingargon
      @kingargon 4 роки тому +1

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

    • @kingargon
      @kingargon 4 роки тому +2

      WaitingToFade lol

  • @keriddunk1520
    @keriddunk1520 2 роки тому +11

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

  • @Gamingkidjoe
    @Gamingkidjoe 2 роки тому +17

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

  • @HankTheTank23
    @HankTheTank23 8 років тому +2017

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

    • @KevinBolsajian
      @KevinBolsajian 8 років тому +37

      Me

    • @martinm.1371
      @martinm.1371 8 років тому +22

      Me

    • @laxpuer
      @laxpuer 8 років тому

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

    • @nickwongold
      @nickwongold 8 років тому +187

      You need to find someone with a sense of humor.

    • @neelparmar6690
      @neelparmar6690 8 років тому +37

      Someone wanting to own a famous paper clip I guess.

  • @jcwab
    @jcwab 4 роки тому +7818

    Imagine doing that whole thing in reverse.

    • @infectedruby
      @infectedruby 4 роки тому +938

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

    • @cringedriver6915
      @cringedriver6915 4 роки тому +92

      🏠📎🖇️

    • @jamlpe
      @jamlpe 4 роки тому +96

      imagine. Selling your country to bob down the street.

    • @zaynawan1835
      @zaynawan1835 4 роки тому +23

      Yeah, that's my kinda luck

    • @ScrewAngle
      @ScrewAngle 4 роки тому +16

      Please stop imagining...

  • @vacuumcleaner9595
    @vacuumcleaner9595 2 роки тому +8

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

  • @ImTheDaveman
    @ImTheDaveman 3 роки тому +1

    I've watched some amazing and not so amazing UA-cam 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!

  • @emily-mt6ug
    @emily-mt6ug 5 років тому +2340

    WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP THAT PEN

    • @tortoiselover2044
      @tortoiselover2044 5 років тому +64

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

    • @riyabhatti24
      @riyabhatti24 5 років тому +17

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

    • @BudderB0y2222
      @BudderB0y2222 5 років тому +80

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

    • @satoshinakamoto1305
      @satoshinakamoto1305 5 років тому

      lmao

    • @etho7351
      @etho7351 5 років тому

      To get a paperclip

  • @babarmohammad1639
    @babarmohammad1639 7 років тому +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 років тому +193

      And start making bots that can trade for you

    • @Games-bb8de
      @Games-bb8de 6 років тому +2

      Babar Moham

    • @themagicman6965
      @themagicman6965 6 років тому +100

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

    • @lucaslucas191202
      @lucaslucas191202 6 років тому +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 років тому +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

  • @VictorAntonioLive
    @VictorAntonioLive 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @timg3679
    @timg3679 2 роки тому

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

  • @dude99844
    @dude99844 4 роки тому +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 роки тому +61

      or you just build a hous out of paperclips

    • @anyatindall5678
      @anyatindall5678 4 роки тому +26

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

    • @zachmiles1352
      @zachmiles1352 4 роки тому +25

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

    • @walterhines6148
      @walterhines6148 4 роки тому +3

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

    • @price9773
      @price9773 4 роки тому +9

      Real life monopoly

  • @quicktutorialschannel2884
    @quicktutorialschannel2884 Рік тому +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

  • @deadsilentzzz5737
    @deadsilentzzz5737 3 роки тому +17

    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 роки тому +1

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

    • @paxhumana2015
      @paxhumana2015 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @xVeksu
    @xVeksu 8 років тому +1937

    CS:GO Trading from nothing to a knife.

    • @thesaltycactus1220
      @thesaltycactus1220 8 років тому

      lol

    • @RuthlessWillGaming
      @RuthlessWillGaming 8 років тому +14

      thats all ive been thinking about.

    • @xVeksu
      @xVeksu 8 років тому

      ***** :D

    • @eliaspakkanen1402
      @eliaspakkanen1402 8 років тому +3

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

    • @xVeksu
      @xVeksu 8 років тому

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

  • @everyoneisdisappointedinme6428
    @everyoneisdisappointedinme6428 5 років тому +2986

    I traded a red paperclip for a yellow paperclip

  • @imperialthreat
    @imperialthreat 29 днів тому

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

  • @nateisnot8867
    @nateisnot8867 3 роки тому +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

  • @joonk169
    @joonk169 5 років тому +891

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

    • @luisserna773
      @luisserna773 4 роки тому +5

      Joon K it’s not worth a paper clip.

    • @Lightflames85
      @Lightflames85 4 роки тому +26

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

    • @tomcruz9118
      @tomcruz9118 4 роки тому +3

      Just rent it out

    • @davidkroeker8269
      @davidkroeker8269 4 роки тому +26

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

    • @SuperGuitarboyz
      @SuperGuitarboyz 4 роки тому +1

      funny af bro hahahaha

  • @supersophisticated9943
    @supersophisticated9943 7 років тому +1893

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

    • @Woutva
      @Woutva 6 років тому +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 років тому +3

      😂

    • @user-xe4jd3kr4q
      @user-xe4jd3kr4q 6 років тому

      Super Sophisticated 😂😂😂💀

    • @idreary7590
      @idreary7590 6 років тому +2

      Its possible

    • @liudas8186
      @liudas8186 6 років тому +26

      He could of gotten a third world country for that house

  • @vikramj.2923
    @vikramj.2923 3 роки тому +140

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

    • @dhrutube
      @dhrutube 2 роки тому +3

      some guy did trade beach sand till a tesla

    • @herps4life33
      @herps4life33 2 роки тому +1

      Asia? I was thinking Africa

  • @CoffeeSuccubus
    @CoffeeSuccubus 8 місяців тому +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

  • @benpadilla4109
    @benpadilla4109 4 роки тому +1406

    I wasted 10 minutes of my life watching this video when I could have been trading my worn down shoes for a cruise ship.

    • @soupxv213
      @soupxv213 4 роки тому +19

      Better yet a armada of Soviet era warships and submarines for a Pepsi

    • @Weird04Life
      @Weird04Life 4 роки тому +2

      You have as many likes as days in a year good job

    • @zacozacoify
      @zacozacoify 4 роки тому

      Are you a Martian?

    • @beedebawng2556
      @beedebawng2556 4 роки тому

      😂 😂 😂

    • @hellatze
      @hellatze 4 роки тому +1

      You "can" if that shoe have historical / event that have it value.

  • @Angelo-ki4vw
    @Angelo-ki4vw 4 роки тому +1513

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

  • @alfiedj
    @alfiedj 2 роки тому +3

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

  • @renemiko123
    @renemiko123 3 роки тому +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.

  • @lukef6940
    @lukef6940 5 років тому +2589

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

  • @zachw5500
    @zachw5500 6 років тому +563

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

    • @amyx231
      @amyx231 5 років тому +1

      Agreed.

  • @captainhindsight8779
    @captainhindsight8779 3 роки тому +1

    BEHIND DESIGNS BROUGHT ME HERE!

  • @andyyu1479
    @andyyu1479 3 роки тому +47

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

  • @grackleklopp9633
    @grackleklopp9633 5 років тому +1290

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

    • @SimpleInThinking
      @SimpleInThinking 5 років тому +5

      Lol the karen trend is so ridiculous xD

    • @therandomnumber2641
      @therandomnumber2641 4 роки тому +3

      "With a Red shiny Paperclip!!!"

    • @ryansawyer5983
      @ryansawyer5983 4 роки тому +1

      Lmao

    • @masonp.6255
      @masonp.6255 4 роки тому +1

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

    • @madimo2369
      @madimo2369 4 роки тому +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

  • @minecraftexpertproskillz3604
    @minecraftexpertproskillz3604 4 роки тому +606

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

  • @RaymondCore
    @RaymondCore 2 роки тому

    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.

  • @carolsparks7070
    @carolsparks7070 Рік тому

    What an amazing story! Made me feel happy.

  • @SparshAgrawal44K
    @SparshAgrawal44K 7 років тому +1763

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

  • @simonockas
    @simonockas 5 років тому +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.

  • @dennisoffline1568
    @dennisoffline1568 2 роки тому

    this is probably the best ted talk ever made XD

  • @paulussantosowidjaja93
    @paulussantosowidjaja93 2 роки тому +1

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

  • @M17_Max
    @M17_Max 4 роки тому +2232

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

    • @YoAbdi
      @YoAbdi 4 роки тому +13

      ha

    • @dudepool7530
      @dudepool7530 4 роки тому +76

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

    • @Gay_Jesus
      @Gay_Jesus 4 роки тому +3

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

    • @thatsstoguy
      @thatsstoguy 4 роки тому +33

      U want a dead body?

    • @maeg.9123
      @maeg.9123 4 роки тому +3

      @@thatsstoguy and i oop

  • @puuhapete8422
    @puuhapete8422 4 роки тому +2164

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

    • @justinweber4977
      @justinweber4977 3 роки тому +140

      Beach Front Property.

    • @russelltan161
      @russelltan161 3 роки тому +58

      that obviously changes the whole game... duh

    • @winnipeg1940
      @winnipeg1940 3 роки тому +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 роки тому +42

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

    • @thegamingkids_234
      @thegamingkids_234 3 роки тому +1

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

  • @SNOT_JUST_DROP
    @SNOT_JUST_DROP 2 роки тому +11

    *30 years later*
    Him:So I traded a paperclip for you
    Me:wait what?
    Him: yes George I OWN YOU

  • @skywizard3319
    @skywizard3319 2 роки тому +1

    best ted talk ever

  • @TheTrippleTKA
    @TheTrippleTKA 7 років тому +17106

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

  • @mr.celery4685
    @mr.celery4685 6 років тому +3333

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

  • @adityamenon6365
    @adityamenon6365 3 роки тому +12

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

  • @stitchsteez2364
    @stitchsteez2364 2 роки тому +6

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

  • @cornbread4535
    @cornbread4535 7 років тому +1296

    I gotta go look for a paper clip...

    • @Dylan-xl9gp
      @Dylan-xl9gp 7 років тому +3

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

    • @davidbeauchemin1840
      @davidbeauchemin1840 7 років тому +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 років тому +2

      Corn Bread lol

    • @joshuapalafox8079
      @joshuapalafox8079 6 років тому +6

      Corn Bread lol

    • @unicockboy1666
      @unicockboy1666 6 років тому +4

      Corn Bread Just trade it for your house?!

  • @Kaircic
    @Kaircic 5 років тому +1620

    Real Estate Agent: We're selling this house for $300,000.
    Me: I have one red paper clip.
    Real Estate Agent: I'lL TaKe yOUr ENtiRE stOCk

    • @wero2661
      @wero2661 5 років тому +7

      Love memes

    • @fredess3737
      @fredess3737 4 роки тому +5

      Now that’s how you invest in stonks

    • @HowdyDo42
      @HowdyDo42 4 роки тому

      Thousandth like

  • @Soundsiinspiration
    @Soundsiinspiration 2 роки тому

    amazing story, brilliant idea.

  • @dalibofurnell
    @dalibofurnell 4 місяці тому

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

  • @god8020
    @god8020 7 років тому +2418

    Why would you give a fish-pen for A FUCKING RED PAPERCLIP ?????

    • @johnnyfettslem7439
      @johnnyfettslem7439 7 років тому +57

      Maybe cause it was broken?

    • @god8020
      @god8020 7 років тому +90

      so? it's still cool looking but the paperclip is worthless, i can find it everywhere

    • @CarolinaFarSide
      @CarolinaFarSide 7 років тому +97

      God as a joke

    • @god8020
      @god8020 7 років тому +5

      yes maybe that

    • @easypeasypiano6118
      @easypeasypiano6118 7 років тому +113

      He probably put the description of what he was trying to do in the description for the paperclip, urging others to deal because they wanted to be the ones with the ORIGINAL paperclip.

  • @JTorete
    @JTorete 5 років тому +1634

    fish pen>house

  • @babyface94283
    @babyface94283 3 роки тому

    This is amazing!

  • @chosen1504
    @chosen1504 2 роки тому

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

  • @Rex-yb2nc
    @Rex-yb2nc 6 років тому +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.

  • @charliedoubleyoy
    @charliedoubleyoy 4 роки тому +461

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

    • @Oskuro_
      @Oskuro_ 4 роки тому +6

      Sold

    • @Adomas_B
      @Adomas_B 4 роки тому +2

      What's the paperclip-pencil exchange rate

  • @Buduhu
    @Buduhu 3 роки тому

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

  • @sammyquinteros2847
    @sammyquinteros2847 3 роки тому

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

  • @tommykarrick9130
    @tommykarrick9130 6 років тому +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 років тому +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 років тому

      LOL

    • @MisterMotel
      @MisterMotel 6 років тому +1

      true story

    • @ProfessorSyndicateFranklai
      @ProfessorSyndicateFranklai 6 років тому +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 років тому +1

      tommy karrick my favorite ted talk was Arther Benjimen

  • @Faolan_Grey
    @Faolan_Grey 6 років тому +1562

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

    • @lucidByte
      @lucidByte 6 років тому +9

      right!

    • @boom-rp7ob
      @boom-rp7ob 6 років тому +3

      Grey Wolf same

    • @NirvanMullick
      @NirvanMullick 5 років тому +23

      Odd fact, I have the fish pen.

    • @aiden2969
      @aiden2969 5 років тому +22

      Nirvan Mullick i will trade you a paper clip for it

    • @Curdisy
      @Curdisy 5 років тому +10

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

  • @dmssfca
    @dmssfca Рік тому

    Thank you for sharing your story. Was wondering what category on CL you started your trading on thanks?

  • @TroyGabe
    @TroyGabe 2 роки тому

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

  • @ChaoticMatters
    @ChaoticMatters 8 років тому +524

    I feel like it's different now. Everyone was following this story, they wanted to be a part of it. No ones gonna care if someone does it today

    • @angelvillicana5756
      @angelvillicana5756 8 років тому +9

      There actually a tv show about people who do it

    • @fbbsnation8589
      @fbbsnation8589 8 років тому +2

      +Angel Villicana what is it called

    • @CainPeel
      @CainPeel 8 років тому

      I need to know the name of this show

    • @ChaoticMatters
      @ChaoticMatters 8 років тому +1

      maybe he's talking about Barter Kings but they don't start with a paper clip. I can't imagine anyone wanting a paperclip. Makes no sense to me

    • @7Tijntje
      @7Tijntje 8 років тому +22

      I'm absolutely certain you can find some bored teenagers who are willing to trade a paperclip for basically anything under 5$

  • @kinglionelmessi
    @kinglionelmessi 7 років тому +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 років тому +30

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

    • @ethan7744
      @ethan7744 6 років тому +1

      kinglionelmessi omg so true

    • @ToniVucic
      @ToniVucic 6 років тому

      kinglionelmessi Awesome!

    • @104spun
      @104spun 6 років тому +12

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

    • @baseerahmad5396
      @baseerahmad5396 6 років тому +4

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

  • @dianedeutschlander864
    @dianedeutschlander864 2 роки тому

    Incredible job🤯

  • @megashooter
    @megashooter Рік тому

    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.

  • @eyeeyuhh3978
    @eyeeyuhh3978 7 років тому +201

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