TED Talks Daily

Lessons from history for a better future | Roman Krznaric

65 snips
Feb 26, 2025
Roman Krznaric, a social philosopher, reveals how understanding history can guide us to a better future. He explores Edo Japan's circular economy, demonstrating its relevance for modern sustainability efforts. Krznaric highlights the medieval coexistence in Cordoba as a model for tackling today’s xenophobia. He draws parallels between past movements like the abolition of slavery and current environmental activism, advocating for 'temporal intelligence' to teach history applied to modern challenges. Dive into a treasure trove of resilience and hope!
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Edo's Circular Economy

  • In 1750s Edo (Tokyo), Japan thrived with a circular economy, reusing and repurposing almost everything.
  • This reduced waste and carbon emissions, demonstrating sustainability's compatibility with cultural richness.
ADVICE

Embrace Circularity

  • Adopt a circular mindset like Edo Japan to phase out unsustainable products.
  • Introduce regenerative standards with recycled materials and modular designs.
INSIGHT

History's Undervalued Lessons

  • History is an undervalued resource for navigating the future, offering solutions beyond technology.
  • Politicians often focus on short-term issues, neglecting history's wisdom.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app