He has tons of knowledge by now after doing all those jobs no one wanted to do.

Except the people who got the job

@juscurious PREACH IT!

In fact... he does none of those jobs for living.

@@SB-qo3bf , in fact Mike Rowe is a very educated man that works on jobs for his series that most people would never stoop to do. Being that Dirty Jobs is a large part of his living... yeah, he does all these jobs for a living. Perhaps you should step up and show him how it's done, since you're such a baddass.

+Charlie5thumbs I swear those years of TV and voice work have made him an amazingly skilled public speaker. He doesn't have awkward pauses, he doesn't "um," and he doesn't have a problem figuring out what to do with his hands. It makes it feel like he isn't telling a rehearsed speech, it's as if he arrived five minutes prior and winged it like a boss.

What's amazing is that he came to this TED talk not knowing he was going to be giving a talk. This is all off the cuff, he thought he was meeting a guy named Ted and representing Discovery channel. He talks about it with Tim Ferriss on his podcast.

He did say in another video that he had a different speech prepared and decided to change it at the last minute. I don't know how accurate that is, but it's impressive nonetheless.

definitely an excellent speaker!

Mike Rowe is a pretty incredible human being. He's intelligent, well rounded, and very well spoken. I'm no fanboy or anything, but I'd consider him one of the greatest human beings alive right now. I can't think of anyone on this earth I'd rather sit down and have a conversation (and a beer) with.

Exactly. My elderly father has a very heavy rural accent. A "creek" is a "crick", for example. Nine times out of ten he is condescended to by doctors if he asks questions about medications they prescribe. He worked for 40 years as a pharmaceutical research scientist.

Worked with horses all my life and read alotta books. I have 2 styles of speech which alternate depending on who I'm talking to. The book crowd, I just normally use big words. And then there's my farmer talk. Yeah, it can be done. And yes, I have met more intelligent rural types than office workers!

So is my brother, so I know what kind of skill it takes, as well as problem solving ability. It's definitely not a job for dummies.

@@catkeys6911 my little sister is going into welding. She's a tiny, girly little thing, so most people wouldn't think she would be good at/enjoy welding but she loves it and I know she will be great

I’m proud of you too. If that means anything.

I had to take a welding course when going to school for materials engineering. I have nothing but great respect for skilled welders.

I'm a welder as well, just I don't let the spark out haha. Mike is right on point. IBEW MAGA

This is amazing, did you wear goggles to for that one chance a sliver of rock gets in your eye or just wing it?!?!

@@Matthew-cd8iv This was back in the 80's. OSHA wasn't a factor then lol. People were sized up differently back then. That was my point.

Wow, love your words. This attitude should be taught in classrooms to young people everywhere. 👍

@@wingmanalive yes mine too

Great testimony, and articulated well! Stealing your story to tell some of my students, if you don't mind!

This dude should be president

Joseph Beard mc smooth.

Joseph Beard yyye s.

Baron Von Grijffenbourg I'm not sure what you mean. Are you saying that the working class doesn't exist?

Except that the working class doesn't get paid even a mere fraction of what Mike Rowe does. I've never understood the premise of his show for that reason.

Amen a lot of my trades teachers are afraid of retiring because they know exactly what’s going to happen when they do, the cheap gutterslime Dean is going to shut it down

Correction... 11 years!

Amen brother

I'm in college now and I feel so lost. None of the stuff they offer I don't really like or enjoy. I've cried myself to sleep because I have no idea what I'm doing. Meanwhile, my boyfriend is completing his 5 year plumbing apprenticeship and he loves his job. He tried college and he hated it. But he absolutely flourished in his trade and I am so proud of him

@@brookewiththehair4884 College is a time for discovery and it seems you don't enjoy what you are studying or have lost focus. Why do you feel so lost? Use the resources your tuition paid for, talk to career advisors, counselors for mental health and life guidance. Not everyone's path is clear and not everyone has to accomplish things in the same timeline. You got this!

He has a liberal arts degree in communication and theater studies. He plays a character that encourages people to reject expensive liberal arts schools, and instead go to his expensive skilled labor school. He promises scholarships that are all but impossible to obtain, he promises careers in high-paying fields, only for the majority of graduates to end up making just above minimum wage. He's a hypocrite, he's playing a character. He's demonizing colleges for the same practices that he's doing. He's seeking blue water in a saturated industry, and he succeeded by using the same tricks they're using in the red water. Do what you want in life, just don't be fooled by a theater-trained actor.

@@fartz666 This is the message you took from his talk? Really?

@@Phantom8260 No you smoothbrain, this is my response to somebody's comment. Pay attention to context.

I had a friend he owned his own mechanic shop. He had skill. Like the type of skill you pull off stuff that if you mess up it would slow down. Maybe if I made more money I'd be that way too.

@@fartz666 Are you Jewish?

Damn straight, the humor which would appeal to teenagers and common sense and emotional appeal.

Except the kids wouldn’t understand a single concept he expressed and definitely wouldn’t understand the references to Greek plays and tragedies etc. Nope this would have been lost on them. They think a dirty job is one where you get a little dust on your car or God forbid your clothes/shoes lol If it’s not on a screen or doesn’t have an app they get confused lol

@@prepperjonpnw6482 I would beg to differ, most of my friends currently are in working environments, I myself work as a carpenter and two of my best friends are welders and solar panel installers. We work just as hard and are interested in learning a trade so long as there is a demand for it. I may not know everything in my field yet but the ability to learn still exists in this current day and age.

@@prepperjonpnw6482 damn what kind of kids have you been hanging around with

@@prepperjonpnw6482 lmao you are really disconnected from the world man.

I've worn both blue and white collars. There are intellectuals and simpletons on both sides. But the say that true wisdom only comes from one is completely obtuse. You wouldn't want a mechanic performimg a heart surgery no more than you would want a lawyer building a skyscraper.

Well said

A common joke in my profession (ancillary health care) is that we are treated like the retarded stepchild until there is a crisis. Then you hear everyone asking where we are.

i love your account lmao

@@theQuestion626 Heart surgery is just biological mechanics with its own R&I instructions...you are correct...but I would like to see the lawyer designed skyscraper...

this is so important!!! thankyou for this!

your father is spot on.

Paul Shay we do, those kinds of people dont have a voice (save Rowe)

Yeah but I think it's more important that we have more hard workers. In whatever we do.

So change your name and start breeding big time.

We need a bunch of Mike Rowes *in politics!* Get rid of these lowlifes who are in office right now and who view the government as a way to mooch off of us taxpayers (and buy votes from those who wish to mooch off of us also), and replace them with people who will use government solely to protect our rights, as it was intended.

@@LMacNeill : people like Mike, ranchers , farmers , horse trainers , veterinarians , etc ... recognize that this job of running a country is an impossible job . I am with you that people who make their livings with animals would be the best leaders but .... They're too intelligent for nonsense ! ( politics ) Gosh , I wish ranchers would run America .

They most likely have.

No doubt!

Bless you sir.

Same here man compare to all the hard jobs I worked on and then going into college I have no doubt that I had a stronger mentality going in college all the experience I gain made me work hard in whatever I did

I don't say that's not possible, but is it? I mean all Drs i know , i know a few, are disconnected from the ppl they treat, about half of them seem to be bored to death about what they do, the clinics nowadays have very thin walls, i don't need a special ear to hear them talk with each other, what's happening now is, human part of being human my friend, is dying, i try to be surrounded by people who are confident, energetic and I don't see that in many places

Mike Rowe for president 🙏🏾🙏🏾

If you get good at a trade you will never need.

May I ask what he did to have gotten there?

@@lipton3120 no

@@cheesemccheese5780 nah

@Dr.Beyonder probably tbh. He’s definitely not a very important role. A government agency wouldnt put someone with no degree and a record in a important spot that could get someone killed or hurt.

And probably cause he's white

Tisha he doesn't talk down to anyone. He is so relatable and has a genuine heart to anyone he speaks to. If you haven't seen it he does a Facebook video series called "Returning The Favor".

I was a child in 2008

2021 -- Schools are finally catching on and trying to bring back the trades. Im in a really good school district so we do have carpentry, HVAC, welding and a few other things but our kids want so much more -- mechanics, cosmetology, etc. but the EXPENSE is ALWAYS going to be a factor. Not to mention physical space, student safety, and trying to find qualified teachers.

No matter what I become now my reputation is jeopardized

@@Ray2311us As long as there is willingness, there is hope..

i know a great man in Africa who helped me bring back my ex-wife who left me after three years of marriage, we have a son now we are together as one WhatsApp him +2347080345331

I'm so glad for meeting you here on UKposts Thanks for changing my story she's the best manager ever contant her here is her number +1 (936) 587-8802 thank you so much ma you are the best investment manager ever thank you for changing my life I promise to share your good work to the world you are geart person 😍🤩

I graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering from one of the top rated undergrad programs in the nation in '97. I work with a guy who graduated from the same school when I was a freshman. His freshman tuition was roughly $6K/yr. Mine was $21K/yr when I graduated. A good friend of mine graduated from there in 2009 and his was well over $40K/yr. I've spent my entire career dealing with automated assembly equipment, which I love doing. I've written code in over 30 different programming languages. receivedI was stuck doing the work that our union maintenance members refused to do while they were making 2X the pay. Prior to college, I worked 6 years in residential construction. During college I also learned to be a machinist and spent 3 summers working in local machine shops to pay rent. If I had it to do all over again, I would have become an electrician instead, and would likely be near retirement.

At least someone had a good teacher

Shane I never finished high school , but today I own my construction company. My last project was 35 million and went perfect 😀

Those guys are buried in debt and struggling to pay it off.

I was an electrician for 20+ years and retired at age 45. Everything is paid for zero debt. Perfect house lots of acreage new vehicles etc. I have a great life. Tried using my college degree but none of those jobs paid well enough so I put on the tool belt and got busy lol Went to a reunion awhile back and talked with people I went to school with. All have massive debt, high stress, going bald, probably headed for an early grave, no thank you. The most stressful thing I did last week was choose between going down to the lake to fish for bass or go up to a stream to fish for trout. Wow life is rough lol Cheers mates

+Jan Yep lol

we had to be working in the first place

Ya. I'm on lunch. Its over now. Back to work

BroskieManDudeBro We need people in Washington who don't want to go!

It's sad because most of the people who want to run for political office really shouldn't be there, and the ones who we know could make a real difference in office, don't want to pursue it. That's how it is almost all of the time, and it says something about our current political system. Something has to change.

Daniel Pfender It's like a good Plato quote I remember. "Those who seek power are not worthy of that power"

Ultimately, the problem with politics is few people know the real issues. For example, if you think electing a President will solve anything, you're dead wrong. Even if you elected some kind of super-moral, super-intelligent being to be President, they wouldn't accomplish hardly anything. The real kicker is congress. So we don't need one amazing person, but 357... Why does it seem like we elect zero amazing people? No seriously. Have you seen the senate or house live broadcasts? Have you heard their speeches? They are all terrible! Not just morally. Morally, they are probably decent human beings. Take the republicans for example. Majority in both houses, takes weeks to pass a single bill. OK, what about the democrats? Doing nothing, except wasting time. Both are incompetent. Why, then, in the most economically successful nation on Earth do we elect nearly 100% idiots to govern everyone? Is it because we can't afford to train a congressman/women from birth to be knowledgeable on how to talk to 500 other people, figure out what works, and pass a law in a timely manner? NOPE! It's because we have a two party system, where neither party seeks to serve the people. The republicans are a biased corporate conglomerate that seeks to benefit their own corporate and union interests. The democrats are the exact same thing, except they include different companies and unions. The American people can't elect option 3, someone who would represent them, because the voting is rigged to give either majority party victory. Firstly, most votes are majority wins. This supports a 2 party system only. If you split one of the votes, you're an idiot and caused your side to lose. No, you aren't "standing by principles" you caused your party to lose the election. If you are intelligent, you must vote for your favorite of the two parties, even if they both want to murder you. Any other system would allow third parties to be successful, if the Americans wanted them, and from what I've heard, zero Americans support either party anyway. Second, electoral college and other votes are almost always winner take all. That is, in a state like, California, let's say 40% of the people are republicans and 60% are democrats. We have ~50 representatives. You'd expect 20 republicans and 30 democrats, right? We get 50 democrats. Does this represent the people better? Thirdly, the entire system of the two houses and electoral college are broken. As intended, the two systems are amazing. The senate represents the states, not the people, and the house represents the people, not the states. The 17th amendment ruined that. Now the senate has no purpose. The electoral college was likewise amazing. You elected wise men who in turn elected your President. Now you vote for the President directly. The theme is, people don't have time to learn every little minutia about government, and they shouldn't need to. That's why we elect wise or intelligent men and women who can best govern our country. Instead of these systems working as intended, they have been manipulated to become more directly democratic, and in the process, this democratic process has been manipulated to strip the people of their democratic rights in the first place. Why don't the corporations in power want to elect a truly intelligent person? They'd betray their own backing party the first day in office. First day in office, the smart people would group up and change the voting system. Game over for those corporations. Now their parties are useless. Even if they assassinated the government officials the next day, it's too late. This is, of course, precisely what any good citizen should hope for... but it'll probably never happen. Those corporations aren't stupid. They aren't just going to let some smart person into congress. They'd blast 'em with negative press so hard it'd make your head spin. Just like they are doing with Trump. Difference is, Trump was smart enough to outsmart them... but he's only one person.

I think I can boil down what you are saying to something a little bit easier to swallow, Mathig. The biggest problem with Politics in this country is that it's composed of Politicians. Mostly people who are there for the power and influence, and who's goals realistically are only more power and influence. (Which is one reason I like Trump... Dude probably had to give up more power and money he had as a real estate mogul than he currently wields as President). Many of them have also never held an honest job in their lives. Things like term limits for Senators and Congressmen, as well as legislation preventing Lobbyists from running for said offices, or Senators becoming lobbyists, would go a long way in getting the legislative branch back on track to actually working for the people, instead of being by politicians, for politicians.

Eddie M. What was the process for that?

A apprenticeship programs B just getting hired and working for awhile

You investing?

Happy for you mate!

I'm 17 years young, I think I'll be doing Residential & Commercial Electrician, I know nothing about the industry or trades so far, still at school - wondering if any of you are confident in the job as a career - recommendations or any advice will help. Thanks

Blackberry may not be doing phones like they used to 12 years ago but they're still around and making moves to innovate things in the future.

@UC2-6xqh2ZJ5cJT5XGT4DjXA screw off

Still relevant! Except the blackberry.

To be fair Mike Rowe is an absolute legend and gift to the Earth so it's not really a surprise to see his TED Talk remaining relevant.

Absolutely

God knows my life would have been better is someone told me this story.

Very good idea I hate the ongoing agenda

Yes, and high school freshman orientations too.

This is 10 years old.

Not to mention a voice that'll flood anybody's basement 😨

HEY it's the 28th here, can you STILL RELATE?

@TOODLEZ | I can

September 2nd and the message hit me

It's Sept 3rd. This post is still pretentious.

Bet he's sorry about that partisan statement as it turned out to be just another lie by the guy in power. Hint - lying is what they do, color of tie is irrelevant.

mrkrabz123 - I was a white collar worker at “work” but a blue collar worker at home. No one is more impressed with someone that can fix things. Plus, fixing thing yourself is not only satisfying, it saves you a crap load of money.

Thanks man that helps a ton

Working smart and hard is faaaar better as it gets more stuff done in much less time overall.

I sense some bias as you suggest "blue collar" workers not "white collar" workers work hard and make an honest living...now I have an idea about how "black people" feel when someone says "white people make our society so great". I agree without the distinction of financial or intellectual status...hard work is good for all people. Too bad it is soooooo rare.

@@montestu5502 I

Marcia Doyle Like the Alabama song, 40 Hour Week, I've been a server for many years and love that the song acknowledges the waitress. 💕

idk if I'd call them _the_ real workers. A lot of (though definitely not all) white-collar work is real work, too. People just aren't told that it isn't, so it doesn't need the spotlight like blue ones do.

Lol, that dude didn't acknowledge anything of the sort, just gave his diatribe on what he thinks life is

I'm so glad for meeting you here on UKposts Thanks for changing my story she's the best manager ever contant her here is her number +1 (936) 587-8802 thank you so much ma you are the best investment manager ever thank you for changing my life I promise to share your good work to the world you are geart person 😍🤩

May I ask what company you dispatch for? I am also an Aviation dispatcher :)

Gary, I am glad you find satisfaction in that job. I am on the other end of your planning. Aviation is great fun.

Five weeks....hunh? Wow.

I think he has a masters in communication studies. I could be wrong

TMB247 I’ve been wanting to do the same for years !!

Yah I tried doing what I love and lets just say playing video games my whole life I have learned no useful skills at all.

Have you read Shop Class as Soulcraft? If not, I'll bet you'll find it inspirational regarding your transition. Have fun in your new venture.

Why though? Does it pay better?

@@NoobieToob I wouldn't think so.

Sometimes we want to reinvent ourselves. We are all multidimensional and life is about exploring new things.

I plan to retire in 10 yrs myself and am looking to do the same as you. My dad was a welder and it is such an intriguing art and skill. Let us know how the transition worked.

Real life tho, you cant fix stupid, don't bother trying, just don't caught in the way. Yeah, OSHA got it wrong.

@@pvtimberfaller I guess all those lives OSHA regulations saved Outliers? A fluke?

@@theQuestion626 If you ever worked in construction you would know what a joke OSHA and saftey first is. Mike hit it on the head

@@travisedwards9983 I worked in warehouses and manufacturing. OSHA fines are very heavy. Just because you may have seen one OSHA inspector not do his job doesn't mean the entire organization is worthless.

@@travisedwards9983 and this whole "my job is to make you rich" is not only so much grandstanding BS it's also callous.

Intellectualism isn’t only found in classrooms and lecture halls. Some of the most intelligent people I know have not had the same advantages as far as higher education as some of the most ignorant people I know. Of course they are not mutually exclusive, I guess what I am getting at is people can surprise you if you let them and are not quick to categorize them.

Thank you for typing out those words, I've never heard of them before and I was immediately fascinated in them, but as they are greek, they are hard to spell or even pronounce. I needed to put them in my arsenal. Thanks again.

@ben If you don't agree with the definition, why not go the extra mile and correct it for them?

@ben Does it require a time machine too?

What have I stumbled upon

***** wtf exactly the opposite

No his hard work and his support team is what lead to a heartfelt speech....

Matthew Bexell no, this was more or less off the cuff, and he actually confirmed that in at least one interview. He didn't know he was doing a talk

It may have been off-the-cuff, but not without decades of practice, and some sort of prepared framework. Experts can wing it, and they don't think much of it. That doesn't mean zero prep. It's more of a brag point than anything.

incredibly fast.

True Story

How is this even possible?

same

Me too

Me too... it was my favourite show as a kid. You couldn't have anything but respect for Mike and every other guest on the show

Thk10188965 P

Man I miss Dirty Jobs too

What kind of carpentry work? Industrial? Commercial? Self employed? Just wondering bc I'm a trim carpenter helper and would like to make a career of it

+Spencer Morgan I got into the union so it's mainly heavy concrete: bridges, parking garages etc but we build schools, high rises, dams, hospitals. Wages are about $40 an hour in Seattle and I was a foreman working 50 hour weeks for the last two years. The work is there and barely enough men to meet demand esp right now. Even worked right thru the 08-09 crunch. No slack time.

+J K Martinson I was a software executive But on weekends I did carpentry for recreation. Carpentry is enjoyable. One of the most remarkable and admirable men I have ever known was my friend Marvin who was a carpenter. He looked a little like Jesus - another carpenter.

+Patrick Boyle Haha, that must be epic

+J K Martinson Bravo! Worthy of a salute!

Don't forget the great content of his speech! :D

Andres Peirano You get tips. Have your own moving company.

That's right brother. You gotta keep on keeping on!

Movers make a good money, especially when you move rich people's things!

The side jobs are good too, like disassemble and reassemble. One of the happiest guys I know moved furniture all over North America for 35 years. Still drives truck but stays at home to be with his beautiful family and new grandson. No regrets.

be careful. is making good money vs. risking your back health?

Life isn’t about finding yourself it’s about creating yourself

the key is passion, be passionate in anything you do. if there is no passion, then there is no future.

If you can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with.

try being passionate about being a hitman

@@brandon4391 Brandon 4 months ago Life isn’t about finding yourself it’s about creating yourself HOLY CRAP! That is a great line! Thank you!

that's why we have trump, he is a business man who wants hard workers to have jobs

Well I haven't seen much of mike so I feel like he is trying to stay away from trump cause he is embarrassed by what he is doing or something cause I haven't even seen pence in the news

How does 4.0 industry fit in this talk?

@@burntferidgerator6848 You still don't get it.. Trump just tells you what you want to hear but is making money off of you while you slowly suffer from what the government has already put forth, just like Obama, just like Bush, just like Clinton, just like Bush senior, and so forth.. Prove me wrong if you can but I bet you can't..

But, and this is a big butt, Mike Rowe's outlook on life was deeply influenced by what he went through in college. College is not, or should not, be just about the education that leads to a job. Rather, it is the only place where young people get the chance to take full responsibility for their education. The problem is that too many Americans waste their lives paying for it. There are alternatives for those who study abroad. Italy and Germany both offer free educations. Then, when those 3-4 years are finished, and someone wants to pick up a 'working class' job, then why not? There's nothing wrong with that. Today's America, and Trump has no intention of changing it, does not offer the same opportunities to its people, and that ought to be criminal.

Mike has confidence. I think that's what's so like-able about him.

total chad

I would just like to say to Mike Rowe thank you watching your speech on tedx made me feel as though I'm not a failure for continuing my education and working with my hands and Construction and Roofing thank you thank you thank you

In my reply it did not put down the word not because I did not finish my education I was a roofer I am a roofer I'm a carpenter I'm construction and once again thank you Mike Rowe

@@skateking959 Mister making mine it's very easy to see that you've never gotten your hands dirty bloodied up or sore from working hard I mean it's okay but come on quit being so cynical in life

Almost all colleges at all levels are filled with morons due to this.

@Jayne Eyre finds a way to make a larger impact in your students lives then. Teach them differently and to make them think critically and if they have to, outside the box. It's not too late to start that process even though it will lead to a lot of chaos in the end it'll be better and maybe someone will follow down that path and make it their own.

I am older than you, Gens, told the same thing. Should have gone with my first instinct and gone into the trades. Teachers and parents pushed me into college and crippling debt just to claim a worthless piece of paper.

I remember in grade school when I was asked what I wanted to do for a living I said I want to build houses like my daddy and the teacher actually shunned me for it and told me I'm to smart and I shouldn't be braking my back for a living, even though at that time my dad made more than twice what she did she still looked down on his career and talked bad about it. now as an adult I'm a crane operator and love my job I could never just sit in an office

To be fair, they told you that because that's what they saw working around them... the world changed (is still changing) and the rules are in flux.

Profound words for young man.

truth boy

PREACH DUDE!

Everybody is somebody. Don't get it twisted ;)

people who work for a living aren't nobody! they are important to their loved ones AND to the business owners who make money from the labour of working people

How goes it

I did the same thing in high school after dropping out of my local high school. Worked as an apprentice for a few years, but ultimately decided I wanted to do something more. I later found out I'm better suited to the world of electronics. I owe everything I am now to those few years at trade school learning electrical wiring. It sparked my passion for anything electrical. I'm currently 30 and working and going to school for the first time in ten years in order to follow my dream of being an electrical engineer. Without my shop teachers and the curriculum I learned back then, I'd probably still be working a job I hated in a warehouse somewhere making barely over minimum wage. Hard work pays off kids, follow your dreams no matter how impossible they might seem right now. Anything is possible if you're following your passion!

2 years later. how's it going?

@@bmo3778 probably got electrocuted

almost missed this. Thanks for the share Ryan Hanley

Ryan Hanley, just finished viewing. Thanks for sharing this.

Conveniently he has written one and there's another one coming out in October!

@@thebetatester800 What are the names of his books?

Mike's a Renaissance Man, and a accomplished Opera singer!

@@coiledsteel8344You must have heard about his opera start. It's hillarious. But as he points out, when he got into it, he started to love singing.

Amazon

Weld for $12 an hour

Reddit and Twitter will die.

love that idea... unfortunate we've taught quite a few generations that they're allergic to work.

A nice double entendre there.

Diecast Pirate he’s a different kind of celebrity