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Liam Young: Planet City — a sci-fi vision of an astonishing regenerative future | TED

Get transported on a stunningly rendered, sci-fi safari through Planet City: an imaginary metropolis of 10 billion people, from the brain of director and architect Liam Young. Explore the potential outcomes of an urban space designed to house the entire population of the earth — and imagine answers to what is possible, and what is…

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Get transported on a stunningly rendered, sci-fi safari through Planet City: an imaginary metropolis of 10 billion people, from the brain of director and architect Liam Young. Explore the potential outcomes of an urban space designed to house the entire population of the earth — and imagine answers to what is possible, and what is sustainable, for the planet.

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70 Comments

70 Comments

  1. Laura Prebiračević

    November 29, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    Amazing concept for a sci-fi movie but completely unrealistic for humankind

    • Frank Delahue

      November 29, 2021 at 9:00 pm

      It is very hard to predict how will world look like in 2050.

  2. Christian

    November 29, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    this will never work. the amount of differentiating opinions, self interest, and freedom seekers don’t want to be tied to something like this. they want space and land to do as they please. this is way too radical.

  3. Dia V

    November 29, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    Good luck. People are behind. They still care about race. Soooo 😆

  4. Ligia Sommers

    November 29, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    Planet City makes us think how perfect Earth already is and how we are destroying perfection 🥲🙏🏻🌹

  5. Aparajito Seth

    November 29, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    Asimov’s Foundation 101? Can we get this done?

  6. eblman

    November 29, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    Already wrong. Our world population is flat lining and about to start decreasing. Africas the only place where it is still increasing.

    • Ionia

      November 29, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      You might prefer a different prediction, but he’s not wrong. Some predictions state 10 billion by 2050, for instance the UN’s. Many expect the population of Africa to double, by 2050.

  7. TheStabbedGaiusJuliusCaesar

    November 29, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    Naive dreams.

  8. George Shearin

    November 29, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    This is how the dystopian steam punk blade runner world happens

  9. annak123 annak123

    November 29, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    Yes yes yes

  10. Miles MB

    November 29, 2021 at 6:32 pm

    To everyone saying how unrealistic this is, yes it is. That’s why he said “it’s not a proposition, it’s a thought experiment”. He specifically addressed that the purpose of this concept was to get people to think about how we could use technology to change the harmful way that we live in this environment. His point was that if we can begin to shift our use of technology to the kinds of things that we imagine in sci fi but already exist, the only thing keeping us from living in a sci fi world is the imaginary dividing lines created by politics. It’s not a concept for an actual city that he thinks we should actually build

  11. Recks Bayne

    November 29, 2021 at 7:07 pm

    i dont want to live there tho

  12. Erich TheCat

    November 29, 2021 at 7:28 pm

    Nothing new but very nice pictures!!!

  13. Ĺèôńãřď

    November 29, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    To be fair what do countries do except separate us? Having the whole world as one country with different districts might allow true equality if the people in charge are required to have both the ability to lead and are educated enough to be able to lead democratically, ensuring that equal rights and living conditions are given to everyone while preferring the fate of humanity over worthless goods. For in the end what are we but time travelers visiting this strange world? It doesn’t belong to us, it never did. We are but mere visitors that are trashing our planet and killing each other over (literally) numbers and power, both of which can be stripped in an instant…

  14. Sion Pasa

    November 29, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    The ideas r here and hv been here, but not the mind and soul to harvest them😑😢

  15. Harvey Swami

    November 29, 2021 at 8:18 pm

    Cult Owned Ted Talk showing the dystopia vision of the Future where people are crammed together to be mass- controlled by Technology and disconnected from TRUE Nature and Freedom.

    Presented with audio-visuals 1984 style.

  16. Radio PNL

    November 29, 2021 at 8:24 pm

    Amazing!

  17. Ionia

    November 29, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    Such a beautiful idea 💗 and one I hope will at least influence our future.

  18. Frank Delahue

    November 29, 2021 at 8:58 pm

    I hope that world of 2050 will be totally different from the one today. That there will not be a trace of left of 20th century industrial dystopia.

  19. Bee

    November 29, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    From what I read today on twitter Bill gates is trying to kill us all so idk how we’re going to reach 9 billion let alone 10 billion

  20. Greg Gary

    November 29, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    Well I love sci fi but I’m really not in love with the idea of 10 Billion ppl jammed into ultra-hi-density crazy town. That said the socioeconomic barriers to this vision are so gargantuan that I am sure that have little to fear. From that.

    Stopping population growth (and growth-dependent economies) seems a more realistic bet, though perhaps only marginally.

    In other words – welcome to planet screwed.

  21. Connie D

    November 29, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Have you ever been on a crowded dance floor and everyone is having a good time? Then there is a slight change and people get unsettled from crowding. If they are unable to distance themselves things deteriorate and people get hurt. We would need a lot of therapy to overcome the lizard brain. If it were peaceful I’d love to live there.

  22. herrdirektor1969

    November 29, 2021 at 9:50 pm

    Planet city is a stark reminder that now is aa good as it gets. No wonder Elon Musk wants to escape from Earth to retire on Mars, knowing we are moving to a Mega-Mumbai/Hong Kong scenario.

  23. Jesper van Breenen

    November 29, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    Imagine Covid strucks the ‘Planet City’ were we all live on the same square meters…

  24. neurostream

    November 29, 2021 at 10:02 pm

    Does this idea embrace the human species thriving off-world as well?

    Running a Planet City simulation could help us learn a lot about how to solve the 0% population growth concern sans human-space-migration (with Earth nature reserve size locked – an essential and beautiful detail that the populous of Planet City, cap’d at 10B, may struggle with).

  25. Rastaman Ralph

    November 29, 2021 at 10:52 pm

    You obviously haven’t read what’s on the Georgia guide stones then. They plan to have only 500 million or less not 10 billion.
    If your talking about planets in space your out of luck because space is nothing like the way you have been indoctrinated to believe it is. You need to get back to reality,there’s too many people with their heads in the clouds.
    No wonder it’s the way it is now. People are dreaming instead of living!

  26. Charles Gregory

    November 30, 2021 at 1:52 am

    I couldn’t even make it through half of this dribble.

  27. Steve Deasy

    November 30, 2021 at 1:54 am

    1) I don’t like living in cities
    2) Texas? Nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there.

    • Steve Deasy

      November 30, 2021 at 1:56 am

      Oh Give Me Land, Lots of Land Under Starry Skies Above –
      Don’t Fence Me In!

  28. Freedom Malik

    November 30, 2021 at 2:16 am

    I would do this but I don’t want to. I don’t want to exist with 10 billion other humans. I know we are going to be 10 billion, maybe even within my lifetime. And I know that 99% of that 10 billion (including me) will live in misery and suffering because we can support the other 1% in a luxury. If we do get to 10 billion, I would support rewilding and relocating for the sake of humanity and the planet but I also support rewilding the earth and relocating humans for the benefit of the planet right now.

    • Trevor Jennings

      November 30, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      Hi :-)👋🏻👋🏻

  29. 27

    November 30, 2021 at 2:37 am

    We live in a time where two systems collide. Where each side is convinced the other has lied.

    We must remember to ask whats wrong and whats right. Or risk falling to prey to shadows hiding in light.

    The people are one, as the earth is the same. It would be quite a shame, to just throw that away.

    The feelings we have, universally the same. No matter your creed, we must try to stay sane.

    When times are hard it is easy to blame, but again please remember, we are all just the same.

    In hope for a life without trouble and strife, humanities test is the next one in line.

    We must remember the past is not like the present, but history does rhyme, a crime to forget that.

    It’s a beautiful world, with senses to see, the difference of colors, the animals, the trees, the sea.

    Its a beautiful world, with feelings to feel, regardless of type its what makes us feel real. From universal love, to the beauty of sadness, to the calm that is felt from the quiet of silence. The fear and the hatred may form moments of madness, so humanities test is to put it beside us.

    We are the children of the earth, the earth is the child of the sun and moon, the sun and moon are the children of the universe, therefore we are the universe.

    The earth is finite, the universe is not, we live in the most important times of this era of human civilization. The steps going forward are crucial in whether humanity will be at peace, or at war.

    What is reality and why do we exist. Placed on a finite earth surrounded by infinite space, one thing in my opinion is certain and absolute.

    Humanity is meant to discover the universe, not by having to abandon a dying home, but by always having a united one to return to.

    It is the test of humanity, whether we unite as one or fight divided. With light, I believe we can unite….

  30. shadowdagger2

    November 30, 2021 at 4:15 am

    Do you want Morlocks? Because THIS is how you get Morlocks

  31. Karr Galaxy Studios

    November 30, 2021 at 4:20 am

    I cannot fault the dreamers and engineers for trying their best on this but I hate this idea completely. Covid 19 just proved high density is a bad idea in the long term. All throughout history major cities and civilizations fail because of density and resource problems as well as a virus that wipes them out. What’s worse is that Planet city looks to force the population all into smaller spaces and packed together in even more vertical living and more central points of failure according to the artists rendition. What happened to living in balance with nature? Human’s need nature and lots of it not nature per square inch. Here’s a thought. Managing lower populations and live with a little less and then everyone. Sorry folks, Larger families and the boom times are a thing of the past. Get used to it until things are fixed and back in balance. Get rid of the traditional city structures. They become unmanageable and costly over time. Decentralization or the transition to node based “cities” connected by highspeed magnetic trains or subway systems, or even electric self driving cars seems likely and now connected virtually in some cases as well as lowering the population through the course of time and good policy decisions and educating the public rather than anything too rash or appalling, resource and real estate efficiency (but not necessarily high density – we must have choice) and equal access and multi purpose housing mixed with proper environmental designs taking into account noise, pollution, maintenance, land use and taking every occupants considerations into mind instead of forcing poor people into a prison box in the sky. Everyone must have access to nature and greenery to sustain mental health and live in peaceful and tranquil settings especially the elderly. Equality to a certain standard at least as a baseline that fundamental. There has to be more of a balanced future for everyone. Not an easy task i agree but going even more vertical does not solve our problems on this planet but could offer some limited first time options in orbit or on mars. Think green in space however. I cannot stress this enough that the more the privileged continue to hoard the lion’s share of the planet’s resources and power, that greed is what will be the downfall of our civilization as a whole as the balance is lost. We want peace not war but History has proven this historic repetition time and time again. We need to listen to that message and the ones with power and the resources need to do something so that the rest of us don’t perish. We also should do what little we can and We all need each other but there are some that need a true wake up call to the grave reality we all face as a species. I choose to live but I fear I no longer have a voice in that decision with the events and challenges taking place. Humanity can do better. Only history will know how it all turns out but will there be anyone left to write it?

  32. Lynette Hannan

    November 30, 2021 at 4:34 am

    Whilst I do like the idea on several levels, I just can’t help thinking about high density living and the threat of highly infectious diseases – these tend to go hand-in-hand. It’s too soon; the pandemic is ongoing, still very current, still volatile. I am certain protective measures would have been thought about for this thought experiment, but I failed to pick up on any if they were mentioned here (stress and lack of sleep). I really do like the idea of leaving most of the planet wild for nature to play with again (and use to combat human activity).

    • Trevor Jennings

      November 30, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      Hello Lynette,how are you doing today,hope you’re having a nice and a wonderful day today????

  33. Danpeal

    November 30, 2021 at 5:01 am

    Beautifull idea.. any thoughts about a Pandemics?

  34. Ken Belangel

    November 30, 2021 at 5:12 am

    Planet City the internet city of the world?

  35. woodentreesama

    November 30, 2021 at 5:23 am

    Splendid concept, but unrealistic unfortunately. Not even talking about the engineering aspects, but politics, culture, human nature/needs etc simple render this concept inapplicable for our world

  36. der fu

    November 30, 2021 at 6:05 am

    love the communist housing aesthetic.

  37. Keto Kei

    November 30, 2021 at 6:57 am

    This is absolutely insane – just imagine what would happen if these geniuses put their minds to organic local farms producing wonderful meat, vegetables and fruit while regenerating the soil. This is all based on the pure con of overpopulation. TED is the voice of global fascism.

  38. Linh Lê Nguyễn Diệu

    November 30, 2021 at 7:04 am

    Literally watching it in awe! Spectacular arts

  39. Я и Австралия

    November 30, 2021 at 8:03 am

    Anxiety looking city 😄

  40. Pedro Vigara

    November 30, 2021 at 9:53 am

    I completely agree with these ideas, and so would karl Marx

  41. Harshit Gupta

    November 30, 2021 at 10:29 am

    A nuclear bomb and boom 10 billion people in ashes it is not good with respect to security .

  42. Harshit Gupta

    November 30, 2021 at 10:32 am

    Thinking about virus outbreak here must be doom.

  43. Noukz

    November 30, 2021 at 11:09 am

    All of this is based on the presumption that people are not “natural”. Humans ARE nature, we are animals, just very smart ones, but we mustn’t forget where we belong. I wouldn’t want to live in a city like this, it would feel like a death sentence, I want to live in nature, and abide by it’s rules. If that means having less convenience, fine.

  44. Beckley Smith

    November 30, 2021 at 11:49 am

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  45. Manoj

    November 30, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    imagine how a pandemic would ravage such a dense city, which houses the entire human population

    • Figgy27

      December 1, 2021 at 10:28 pm

      It wouldn’t even be a pandemic since it’s all one city

  46. Trevon Jackson

    November 30, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    Can you make a video explaining how beginners can make huge profit within a short period of time? I mean i was at a seminar and the host spoke about making well over $880,000 within 4months of investing $150,000 i just need to know how.

    • Terry Pasca

      November 30, 2021 at 12:39 pm

      @Zainab Ismail I watch youtube videos and take courses, baby steps but it works for me.

    • rub tyson

      November 30, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      @Terry Pasca I’m a new investor as well and I use a broker BLAINE PHILLIPS JR, he’s been guiding me with my investment since I began late Nov and I’ve been able to accrue a profit of $426,000 with a principal of $85,000

    • Zainab Ismail

      November 30, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      @rub tyson that’s amazing

    • Trevon Jackson

      November 30, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      @rub tyson Wow I always wanted to invest with a professional but I never knew how to go about it please how do I reach BLAINE and how does he help investors

    • rub tyson

      November 30, 2021 at 12:42 pm

      @Trevon Jackson he assist investor by guiding them, look his name up, Blaine Phillips jr, on the internet and send him a message

  47. NeonsStyle

    November 30, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    Looks like a place full of slums.

  48. BG GAMINGR YT

    November 30, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Nice videos

  49. Farshad Niazi

    November 30, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    Bravo, Bravo!!

  50. TAVO X

    December 1, 2021 at 1:37 am

    THE TIME IS COMING SOON…

  51. Whyzen

    December 1, 2021 at 1:53 am

    Does anybody know where i can find whatever this man is smoking?

  52. Reema Gul Sha Ali khan

    December 1, 2021 at 1:29 pm

    It’s so Amazing and I like it too much
    ❣️🤧❣️🤧❣️🤧❣️💙🥰💙❤️💕🥺🥺🥺❤️❣️👍👍👍

  53. Marcin Sosna

    December 1, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    I can’t believe what I saw – O.o It’s look like a fruit of drugs (without reality and reasonable point of view). Sorry but I don’t buy it even it is sci-fi vision because there is no “sci” element. This thought povoking film have nothing in common with real life and problem of real world now and in the future IMO.

  54. Dan Miller

    December 2, 2021 at 1:22 am

    What a nightmare

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