The End is Not Near: Daniel Alvarez at TEDxFSU

Four thousand miles of lakes, rivers, and ocean connect the northern tip of Minnesota to Key West. It's an afternoon jump in a plane, a few long days driving a car. Impossible in a kayak? Nine months after setting off from the northernmost point in the lower 48, Daniel Alvarez arrived in Key West salt-stained and exhausted, knowing that nothing is impossible at the right velocity.

Daniel Alvarez After graduating from the University of Florida, Daniel Alvarez stepped on the Appalachian Trail and wound up walking from Georgia to Maine. He then skipped out of the last semester of Yale Law School to start the Pacific Crest Trail, hiked 200 miles, flew back for exams, then continued north until he hit Canada. After a stint as a lawyer, he grabbed his backpack again and hiked the Continental Divide and Hayduke Trails, then got the idea to kayak 4,000 miles from the northern tip of Minnesota to Key West. When he got to the end, he had no idea what to do next so he decided to paddle back. He still has no idea what he will do next, but is pretty sure it won't be working for a corporate law firm. Stories, photos, and videos of his adventures can be found at www.predictablylost.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)