John G. Rives (who performs simply as Rives -- rhymes with 'weaves') design… Read Full Bio ↴John G. Rives (who performs simply as Rives -- rhymes with 'weaves') designs interactive narratives for grown-ups. Part poet, part storyteller, Rives offers audiences uniquely intelligent and creative entertainment—too impossible to categorize for a print medium like this bio, in fact. Thus, for Rives more than for most speakers, we recommend viewing the video clips on our website.
He’s extraordinarily deft with words, extremely clever, creative, and intellectually alive. His work bursts in multiple directions, makes surprising connections, and leaves you gasping and laughing. . .
He’s funny.
For his avid use of technology, he’s been called "the first 2.0 poet," incorporating images, video, and text—often of audience members or the venue itself—with tremendous ease and effect.
Rives is known for memorizing snippets of the preceding speakers’ presentations and incorporating them into his own performance, to startling and often comedic effect. This ability, combined with his extraordinary stage presence, make him a very effective moderator and Master of Ceremonies.
Though he is a very dynamic and spontaneous performer capable of brilliant improvisation, with an easy, relaxed presence on stage, only the most impeccable preparation could make his fast and exquisitely timed delivery work. "Jaw-dropping skills," as one ovation puts it. He enjoys and encourages audience participation.
Rives is a regular at the annual TED Conference, which brings together people from the worlds of Technology, Entertainment and Design, where he earns standing ovations.
He’s appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on the last four seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.
He was the 2004 National Poetry Slam champion.
Rives’s clients include Hewlett-Packard, Hallmark, Wieden+Kennedy, Business Objects, Northwestern University, House of Blues.
Credentials
* Developed and teaches a course on blogging and social networks at the International Center of Photography, New York.
* Blogs at http://www.shopliftwindchimes.com/
* Political commentator for McClatchy News website.
* Paper engineer and author of pop-up books.
* Holds U.S. patent for paper engineering.
Books (pop-up books for children)
If I Were A Polar Bear (wrote, illustrated and paper engineered)
The Christmas Box (invented and engineered)
Ovations
"Rives was one of the real stars of the 2006 TED Conference. On the last day, he performed a spoken word piece that incorporated all of the most memorable lines from the presentations that had come before. I was blown away!"
MM~ Al Gore
"I never get tired of listening to this man. I was blown away by his performances at the end of both TED 2006 and TED 2007 where he managed to tie together many of the key phases and ideas presented during the conference in one beautifully crafted three-minute verbal thrill ride. Amazing. Almost more impressive were the freestyles on the beach. Jaw-dropping skills."
MM~ TED website
"What a fabulous day! In a star-studded line-up, I think you were the favorite. You are certainly the one that people keep talking about, and there's a lot more graffiti in the breakroom now because of you!"
MM~ Director of planning for an major ad agency
"I'm going to invent a reason to bring you back if I have to!"
MM~ Event planner, Fortune 500 company
He’s extraordinarily deft with words, extremely clever, creative, and intellectually alive. His work bursts in multiple directions, makes surprising connections, and leaves you gasping and laughing. . .
He’s funny.
For his avid use of technology, he’s been called "the first 2.0 poet," incorporating images, video, and text—often of audience members or the venue itself—with tremendous ease and effect.
Rives is known for memorizing snippets of the preceding speakers’ presentations and incorporating them into his own performance, to startling and often comedic effect. This ability, combined with his extraordinary stage presence, make him a very effective moderator and Master of Ceremonies.
Though he is a very dynamic and spontaneous performer capable of brilliant improvisation, with an easy, relaxed presence on stage, only the most impeccable preparation could make his fast and exquisitely timed delivery work. "Jaw-dropping skills," as one ovation puts it. He enjoys and encourages audience participation.
Rives is a regular at the annual TED Conference, which brings together people from the worlds of Technology, Entertainment and Design, where he earns standing ovations.
He’s appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on the last four seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam.
He was the 2004 National Poetry Slam champion.
Rives’s clients include Hewlett-Packard, Hallmark, Wieden+Kennedy, Business Objects, Northwestern University, House of Blues.
Credentials
* Developed and teaches a course on blogging and social networks at the International Center of Photography, New York.
* Blogs at http://www.shopliftwindchimes.com/
* Political commentator for McClatchy News website.
* Paper engineer and author of pop-up books.
* Holds U.S. patent for paper engineering.
Books (pop-up books for children)
If I Were A Polar Bear (wrote, illustrated and paper engineered)
The Christmas Box (invented and engineered)
Ovations
"Rives was one of the real stars of the 2006 TED Conference. On the last day, he performed a spoken word piece that incorporated all of the most memorable lines from the presentations that had come before. I was blown away!"
MM~ Al Gore
"I never get tired of listening to this man. I was blown away by his performances at the end of both TED 2006 and TED 2007 where he managed to tie together many of the key phases and ideas presented during the conference in one beautifully crafted three-minute verbal thrill ride. Amazing. Almost more impressive were the freestyles on the beach. Jaw-dropping skills."
MM~ TED website
"What a fabulous day! In a star-studded line-up, I think you were the favorite. You are certainly the one that people keep talking about, and there's a lot more graffiti in the breakroom now because of you!"
MM~ Director of planning for an major ad agency
"I'm going to invent a reason to bring you back if I have to!"
MM~ Event planner, Fortune 500 company
TEDTalks : A mockingbird remix of TED2006
Rives Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Rives:
Break If I say I’m upset then you're calling me crazy If…
Easier I heard things get easier This home we've built feels emptie…
I Don't Wish You The Best It’s all on me when it falls apart but I’m…
Scared of the Dark I’m used to the dark I’ve been here before But I’m finding…
slow motion You've got my t-shirt on And you look beautiful But there's …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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EmilyEvals
Rives is absolutely amazing. The way he uses words to play with ideas is incredible. I want to see him live.
travisyay23
At that part of the poem, Rives begins to quote what other speakers at the same TED conference. He keeps quoting previous speakers (mimicking mockingbirds) until around 3:05.
Alexandra718
This moves my heart. Rives is absolutely incredible
crazyrandom3
This was amazing. Sounds like someone writing down everything that came to their mind for a whole day. XD
Kori Hu
I wish I could see the works he pulled this from to see how it all came together. So love this poem. <3
cometkite
This guy is amazing! Thank you Sarah Kay for leading me to this.
Khalaf96
Damn this guy is a genius I just got my mind blown!
cassandra huff
i <3 rives...wish i could see him in person i watch all his videos everyday cant get enough!!!!!!!!
nejicanspin
My english teacher showed us this. I thought it was awesome that he can talk so fast and not mess up on his words....wow
Ziran007
I usually don't like poets, but this guy's incredible :o