What I've learned from exploring sewers: Steve Duncan at TEDxPhoenixville

Steve is a New-York-based urban historian and photographer who has explored and photographed sewers and underground infrastructure beneath New York, Paris, London, Rome, Naples, Stockholm, Berlin, Moscow, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Calcutta, and many other cities. He served as the host of a Discovery Channel show on urban history from 2004 to 2005, and has appeared on various other programs as an expert on New York City's underground infrastructure. His work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, GEO, Men's Journal, Outside Magazine, Playboy, New York Archives Magazine, Arcade Magazine, Welt der Wunder, and others. His collaborative documentary film work has been featured at the Mountainfilm film festival (Director's Choice Award, 2011) and at the MoMA in New York City. He is currently working on his PhD in urban geography at the CUNY Graduate Center in NYC.
www.undercitywebsite.blogspot.com
TEDxPhoenixville, the first TEDx event in the Philadelphia region, celebrates the creative, innovative and inspiring work happening right here and all around the world. Our objective is to present thought-provoking ideas via an annual day-long event featuring compelling speakers and performers.
Welcome to Ideaville, a place where local can mean everything from our solar system to our community. A place where YOUR BACKYARD becomes a universe of amazing ideas. In 2012 TEDxPhoenixville explored your backyard from the perspective of the arts, science, technology, education and humor, and how a lively mixture of ideas and people can lead to inspiration and innovation.
www.TEDxPhoenixville.com
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.
Video produced by Bob Sweeney (rlsvideo.com)
Camera Operators:
Bob Sweeney
Joel Rickenbach

[@ronson232]

I wish there were more videos of Steve's adventures. He is a great urban explorer because of his historical knowledge, plus he's fearless.

[@aykobaum7688]

He is also not reckless.

[@simonbarr9476]

Same - theres not nearly enough vids of him on here

[@GiffysChannel]

Dude, same here!

[@silkysays3557]

this man is fearless &compassionate about the homeless.See the a world you never dreamt of....We need to learn more of the nature of our environment.

[@madhawarock]

Our history is beneath us! That's very humbling.

[@planetboondock2383]

It is indeed.

[@TerrorOnYoutube]

How​@@planetboondock2383

[@RubioRaver]

Yes it really does help gain a greater perspective by exploring the hidden world around us

[@LewisCowles]

A Bit rambly in places, but he's right. If you never stop to appreciate and understand what was, how will you plan for the future, and how will you prevent loss of knowledge about what is.

[@727Phoenix]

Stephen King's novel "It" includes a history of the fictional town of Derry, ME, mainly the convoluted sewer system to overcome the unique challenges of the local topography. Much of included long-ago abandoned and incomplete tunnels, so urbex there has the real danger of getting hopelessly lost, never finding the way out. Which make it the perfect home of the shape shifting child-killing monster called "It." Has Steve Duncan read the novel?

[@zakkk19]

What happened to Steve? No more online presence? His twitter and facebook seems abandoned.

[@funnyyylock]

Neil Du Plessis yeah I can’t find anything either I hope he’s okay

[@voidofspaceandtime4684]

@@funnyyylock If you look at his site (undercity.org) there's interviews as recent as 2016. He's doing fine, likely, just isn't online much.

[@voidofspaceandtime4684]

@@funnyyylock he's also got a twitter. His name is steve duncan, not steve wonder, that's just his youtube channel name. Recently posted in august.

[@funnyyylock]

Void of Space and Time awesome I didn’t get a notification that you replied glad I looked anyways I’m not on twitter and I never will be

[@kingamity1985]

@thespACEchannel thats annoying of you. stop trying to explain things to people like they are 4 years old.

[@carloutube]

first post yess. good job for getting on TED

[@mad_cat_1st]

Hey Steve! Go to Hanoi, Vietnam and tell us what you think. From there, you'll want to visit Da Nang, Huy, Dalat, Nha Trang, and Saigon. I think you'll find Vietnam spellbinding.

[@marcusprice]

i was wondering the same thing!

[@banneduser7398]

You either live long enough to watch a documentary or watch the guy that made the documentary do a Ted talk about the documentary he made.

[@darkdancerman]

I want to urban explore. But I don't have anyone to do it with me. I live in Pittsburgh.

[@graywolfgaming5531]

I do to! I live an hour away from Pittsburgh XD

[@darkdancerman]

We should meet up some time and go find some sewers or water drains downtown... Or even the old train tunnels and subway.

[@graywolfgaming5531]

Yea man that'd be cool XD only im guessing your a lot older than me, im 16. Look me up on facebook, "Alec Brison" the kid with the side parted hair, green wall in the background with GTA 5 poster.

[@darkdancerman]

What the fuck lol. We have 7 mutual friends! Just befriended you. Btw Im 17.

[@darkdancerman]

lol so true *****

[@diegosauda9596]

is there a canal under the jail ? i wanna go see my my uncle

[@Uncledad0001]

hello

[@_Wai_Wai_]

but what about Covid 19, and other stuff.

[@youtubeaccount1242]

This was 7 years ago...

[@kenosabi]

What about it? No one cares.