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The journey across the high wire | Philippe Petit

Overview

Shownote

Highlights

Transcript

Chapters

Pins

The journey across the high wire | Philippe Petit

TED Talks Kids and Family

2012/05/23
TED Talks Kids and Family

TED Talks Kids and Family

2012/05/23
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

Even a death-defying magician has to start somewhere. High-wire artist Philippe Petit takes you on an intimate journey from his first card trick at age 6 to his tightrope walk between the Twin Towers.

Highlights

A young boy's fascination with magic sparked a lifelong pursuit of artistic perfection, leading him far beyond the stage and into the skies between towering structures.
00:00
At age six, Petit discovered magic and began practicing card tricks obsessively
04:28
Despite not being hired, he performed secretly at notable locations like Notre Dame, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the World Trade Center, where his first step was terrifying.
08:01
The World Trade Center crossing is not about records, but spiritual equivalence to all walks.
14:24
The audience's reaction turned from amusement to supportive encouragement when the dove failed to fly.
17:12
Teddy keeps a picture of the speaker on the wire as inspiration during hard times.

Chapters

How a childhood love for magic led to a life of balance and risk
00:00
What drove a street performer to walk between the tallest towers in the world?
04:28
The first step between the Twin Towers: Fear, faith, and freedom
08:01
When the dove wouldn’t fly—how failure created a moment of unity
14:24
How one photo became a quiet source of strength for a city’s leader
17:12

Transcript

Philippe Petit: This sound, this smell, this sight, all remind me of the campfires of my childhood, when anyone could become a storyteller. In front of the dancing flames. There was this wondrous ending, when people and fire will fall asleep, almost in uni...