TED Talks Daily How do you rethink how the world works? An entrepreneur and an engineer answer | Yancey Strickler and Jenny Du
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Sep 19, 2025 
In this insightful conversation, Yancey Strickler, co-founder of Kickstarter and advocate for innovative organizational models, teams up with scientist Jenny Du. They explore how feeling out of place inspired Yancey's creative alternatives and Jenny's pursuit of solutions to global food waste. The duo discusses the importance of embracing one’s unique perspective and the practical steps needed to reshape traditional systems. Their passion for resilience and optimism amidst challenges offers listeners a refreshing take on rethinking the world.
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Outsider Began His Creative Way
- Yancey grew up feeling like he never belonged and struggled to fit in, which made him hyper-aware of his actions.
- He says those early struggles later became strengths that helped him innovate and carve his own path.
Struggle Deepens Capability
- Struggling with obstacles deepens understanding and raises your eventual ceiling of achievement.
- Following prescribed paths can produce stability but limits the potential for transformative ventures.
Food-Waste Fact Triggered A Venture
- Jenny Du heard that one-third of produced food is lost before being eaten and couldn't unhear it, which sparked her startup work.
- Her team's beginner's lens led them to ask basic science questions about spoilage and preservation.
