The World Doesn’t Need More Ideas - It Needs Braver Failures | Nik & Harry Robinson | TEDxMelbourne

A 14-year-old and his dad set out to “untrash” the planet by turning a single plastic bottle into a pair of sunglasses and failed over 2,500 times.

In the process, they discovered that what really changes the world isn’t the brilliance of an idea, but the grit to keep going when everything (and everyone) tells you to stop.

This talk shows how kid-like tenacity, simple rules and the “three Ps” can turn everyday failure into extraordinary impact. Nik and Harry Robinson are the father–son founders of Good Citizens Eyewear, on a mission to untrash the planet® by turning waste into something good.

Nik - a former Triple M broadcaster, creative director, lecturer and donut maker began tackling the plastic crisis in 2018, inspired by his kids and wife Jocelyne.

After 2,503 failed attempts over 752 days, they succeeded in transforming a single-use bottle into a 100% recycled, modular, repairable eyewear frame made in Sydney.

Good Citizens flips business as usual: Harry (14) and Archie (12) share 50% of decision-making, proving bold leadership can come at any age. From the kitchen table to the UN, their journey has led to an exclusive Selfridges London window, keynote stages with Fortune 500 CEOs, and features in Forbes. Nik now co-writes a new course on circular design and lectures at UTS and UNSW, inspiring students to rethink and redesign the future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx