How much is enough? | Kevin Cavenaugh | TEDxPortland
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Published 2018-07-16
With special thanks to core the TEDxPortland organizing team, 70+ volunteers and cherished partners - without you this experience would not be possible. Our event history can be found TEDxPortland.com
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.
Kevin is a prolific local developer of small commercial and residential buildings whose work adheres to the mindset that quality is not defined by the depth of one’s pockets. His developments include the LEED Platinum rated Burnside Rocket, The Zipper, The Ocean, and the nation’s first ground-up crowdfunded project, the Fair-Haired Dumbbell. Today, he’s turning his attention toward creating a better version of subsidy-less affordable housing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
All Comments (21)
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Finally someone, who has come to understand... I am thinking about the situation of homeless people a lot, because my brain can’t understand, why it’s OK to have 5000 people living on the street in a city, where there are at least 5000 vacant apartments. And why there is a ton of food on one side of a window and a man standing from another side of the same window didn’t eat for days. Nobody will ever be able to explain to me, why this is something we tolerate and so I applaud this man for doing what he does. AND that he has explained why a cooperative is a great form for doing business:).
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I'm the Julia Wise mentioned in the talk, and for the sake of correctness, I'll say that my family does not give everything above $70k. I'm not sure where that idea came from, because we've never said anything of the kind. We do donate 50% of our income.
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When I became disabled and went on SSI I found the value of enough. I've lived below poverty level most of 25 years. Peace came to visit me along the way when I decided that what I have is enough....rather than pining for what I think I lack. I don't lack anything when whatever I do have is enough.
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A thought provoking video. He didn't strike me as self congratulatory. Just excited by what he had to share. Focus on the message. I love what he's done for his city. And so young, too!
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this guy is a geat esample of the balance we need in business. I say bravo!
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👍😍I love this. For years I’ve been questioning how much is enough, little by little becoming a minimalist, asking myself daily what I believe to be true and questioning what I really need. Every day I have to overcome the lies, doctrines, beliefs of others, societal normals and societal demands that have polluted and diluted me. It’s a daily practice to not care what other people think. It’s none of my business what other people think about me. I have been doing philanthropy work, giving back, helping others and serving others since I was a child. I love it and it is something I will always do until the day I am returned to the earth as ashes. I’m one person, I don’t need much. I’m happiest when I’m helping, serving, living simply, traveling, exploring new horizons, keeping an open mind to new concepts or ideas and spending quality time and touch with someone I care about that cares about me. Making money helps...it’s a resource I use to help make a difference. Making a difference helps more...it helps others and it helps me....it is most important to me. I always say, “Each one of us can teach one. Each one of us can help one. Each one of us can make a difference to one”. 💞
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Leo Tolstoy wrote a short story called “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” and I suggest you read it. It’s very good and gives a perspective on the question in the title of this video.
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I am so happy that I've made my choice to watch this video. Life is about choices!Excellent talk Kevin. I knew that I am not alone and there is more people like me out there. We just need to connect all of Us!
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1/ Socialists redistribute wealth earned by OTHERS. 2/ He redistributes wealth HE has earned. He's not a Socialist........he is a incredibly kind Capitalist.
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I had ENOUGH and moved into an RV and traveled 🧳 - rather than working my husband and I working on a foundation for people that don’t have enough.
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The world would be a much better place if everyone take pride in what what little they need instead of how much they hoard - great Tedtalk speaker 😍
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Kevin, you have a big heart and a better sense of fairness than most business owners. Thank you for being thought and action provoking.
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போதும் என்ற மனமே பொன் செய்யும் மருந்து. "Contented mind is golden medicinal elixir."
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Thanks, Kevin. You are correct in a lot of ways. Gives me some ideas on what to do with our own extra., plus.. Le' and I are waiting to see what you do with the old building we sold you.
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Those jeans are more than enough.
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It’s easy to purport high-minded values and more difficult to put those values into practice (speaking from my own experience). I admire Kevin - seems to me that he’s trying to do the right by his values, his employees and his community. Nice Talk, Kevin.
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This is a truly isnpiring story "How much is enough", thanks so much for sharing this one! "The less you have, the happier you'll be"
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I wish there was more people like him!!!👏🏼👏🏼
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Enough is appreciating want you have, that is Enough.
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Superb, I've been thinking about this same thing for a while and I believe acting somewhat along these lines. Great speech and follow through actions!!!
