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How to use one paper towel | Joe Smith | TEDxConcordiaUPortland

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    571,230,000 pounds of paper towels
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    are used by Americans every year.
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    If we could --
    correction, wrong figure.
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    13 billion used every year.
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    If we could reduce
    the usage of paper towels,
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    one paper towel per person per day,
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    571,230,000 pounds of paper not used.
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    We could do that.
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    Now there are all kinds
    of paper towel dispensers.
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    There's the trifold.
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    People typically take two or three.
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    There's the one that cuts it --
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    that you have to tear off.
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    People go one, two, three, four tear.
    This much, right.
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    There's the one that cuts itself.
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    People go one, two, three, four.
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    Or there's the same thing
    but recycled paper.
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    You have to get five of those
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    because they're not
    as absorbent of course.
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    (Laughter)
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    The fact is you can do it all
    with one towel.
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    The key, two words.
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    This half of the room
    your word is 'shake.'
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    Let's hear it, 'shake.'
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    (Audience) Shake.
    Joe Smith: Louder.
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    (Audience) Shake.
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    Your word is 'fold.'
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    (Audience) Fold.
    JS: Again.
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    (Audience) Fold.
    JS: Really loud.
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    (Audience) Shake.
    (Audience) Fold.
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    OK. (Laughter)
    Wet hands.
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    Shake. One, two, three, four, five, six,
    seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve.
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    Why 12? 12 apostles. 12 tribes.
    12 zodiac signs. 12 months.
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    The one I like the best
    it's the biggest number with one syllable.
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    (Laughter)
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    Trifold.
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    (Applause)
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    Fold.
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    Dry.
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    (Applause)
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    (Audience) Shake.
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    (Audience) Fold.
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    Cuts itself. Fold.
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    The fold is important
    because it allows
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    interstitial suspension.
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    You don't have to remember
    that part but trust me.
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    (Laughter)
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    (Audience) Shake.
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    (Audience) Fold.
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    Cuts itself.
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    The funny thing is I get my hands drier
    than people do with three or four
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    because they can't get in
    between the cracks.
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    If you think this isn't as good.
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    (Audience) Shake.
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    (Audience) Fold.
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    Now, there's now a real fancy invention.
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    It's the one where you wave
    your hand and it kicks it out.
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    It's was too big a towel.
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    Let me tell you a secret
    if you're really quick,
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    if you're really quick
    and I can prove this...
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    This is half a towel
    from the dispenser in this building.
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    How? As soon as it starts
    you just tear it off.
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    It's smart enough to stop
    and you get half a towel.
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    (Laughter)
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    (Audience) Shake.
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    (Audience) Fold.
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    Now let's all say it together.
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    (Audience) & JS: Shake.
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    (Audience) & JS: Fold.
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    You will for the rest of your life
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    remember those words
    every time you pick up a paper towel.
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    And remember: one towel
    per person for one year.
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    571,230,000 pounds of paper.
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    No small thing.
    And next year, toilet paper.
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    (Laughter)
Title:
How to use one paper towel | Joe Smith | TEDxConcordiaUPortland
Description:

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED conferences.
Joe Smith served as a District Attorney in Umatilla County and nearly won a race for Oregon Attorney General without taking a single contribution over $99.99. In this memorable talk Joe shows his two-step technique for drying your hands using one paper towel.
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Video Language:
English
Team:
closed TED
Project:
TEDxTalks
Duration:
04:28

English subtitles

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