Published on May 13, 2013
Robert Neuwirth is the author of two books on alternative social and economic structures — Stealth of Nations, an up-close investigation of the value of street markets and underground trade, and Shadow Cities, which looks at squatter communities as normal urban neighborhoods.
Neuwirth gained the experience and insight necessary to write these two books by spending more than four years living in shantytowns throughout the world. He has worked with street vendors and gray marketers to personally examine the world's informal economy, an economy that accounts for a staggering 1.8 billion jobs.
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.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Neuwirth gained the experience and insight necessary to write these two books by spending more than four years living in shantytowns throughout the world. He has worked with street vendors and gray marketers to personally examine the world's informal economy, an economy that accounts for a staggering 1.8 billion jobs.
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.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
