Rives: The Museum of Four in the Morning

Beware: Rives has a contagious obsession with 4 a.m. At TED2007, the poet shared what was then a minor fixation with a time that kept popping up everywhere. But after the talk, emails starting pouring in with obscure, hilarious references-from the cover of "Crochet Today!" magazine to twin mentions in "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons." A lyrical peek into his Museum of Four in the Morning, which overflows with treasures.
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[@dmboutdoors4430]

I’ve watched this TED talk so many times. It always impresses me. I’ve shared it with so many friends and loved ones and never gotten back the same sense of awe it sparks in me.

[@H3110NU]

The comment section shall provide… I always love this video every time I watch it.

[@monicasantos2216]

I feel that too. i've returned to it so many times.

[@JaniceGlimmer]

SAME!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@martafelis7851]

Same here :)

[@Mrnarutofan28]

I feel this exact pain my friend, this is my most watched ted talk of all time. Just finished rewatching it yet again 😅

[@oybeutu]

4am is the earliest possible time of the morning that still feels like morning. 3am is more like very late night.

[@assassin7707]

Now that's what I call a love story! Lost love, with love poems, with a poem that comes back later in life, a journey to find the source. Lost love telling him about the mix tape, rediscovering the original poem! Omg, what?! Could not be more real.

[@HamzaSayedAli]

I'm legitimately jealous. L.D. is so very clever and the fact that Rives was stuck on this for 7 years is just-- I can't even. So good.

[@evanleaman6248]

Every time I am awake at 4 in the morning, I look up this Ted Talk. It's become a tradition of mine

[@H3110NU]

Evan Leaman me too!

[@Caperhere]

Evan Leaman ....me too. May 01,2018

[@Caperhere]

....and 4 in the morning.27 June/19

[@bharris591]

I work till 4am everyday.i still think of this talk and come back to it

[@H3110NU]

4 years later at 4am….

[@Luuu261296]

I've been coming back to this video every once in a while since it was originally uploaded here and I'm always amazed at this story. Truly makes me marvel at how magical and brilliant the smallest things in life can be.

[@Raythe]

the greatest "its on the tip of my tongue but i can't quite put my finger on it" moment IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY.

[@aresinnet]

I'm really happy that Rives is on here again. His 4am talk is one of my favorite TED talks of all time.

[@smokeandquills]

lol, just randomly clicked on this Ted and glanced up at my clock and it's 4am on the dot. Oh dear XD

[@lilliehayes7750]

2020 and its still my favorite Ted talk ever

[@AGoodVibe]

Rives is an under-appreciated talent. I love his seamless transition to a more poetry-laced prose toward the end. Absolutely masterful

[@nay_codes]

"...I realize this is just the kind of extravagance I took for granted, even when I was extravagant..." why did these words punch me in the gut

[@MCAndyT]

"good for him!"

[@tarasierralee]

My favorite line. In fact, I just came to watch this for the umpteenth time to find that very line.

[@firepants20]

This should be a movie. :o

[@Caperhere]

Firepants20 Maybe, but I think it’s perfect.

[@lovesowls]

That was probably the best story I have ever heard. ever.

[@kimcarlton1]

I loved this! I reminds me of many talks that I've had with my daughter where the nonsensical melds with the coincidental and becomes pure, organic entertainment.

[@mikahpaul2298]

This man is the most brilliant poet i have ever seen. I love his piece

[@anne-mareegray8762]

I love how memories work sometimes. How cute that the first time the phrase imprinted on his memory was from a romantic mix-tape made decades ago and referencing that very poem.

[@mansee6023]

Rives is just such an amazing storyteller! I keep coming back to this:)

[@kyuteepy3205]

Brilliant. Makes me smile every time. Thank you, Rives.

[@leeb.5795]

XOXOXO

[@jersyflame8952]

that mix tape... the idea... wish I had thought of it. sooo cool. what a treasure.

[@BesoGvenetadze]

This must be the most beautiful story ever told.

[@peterjeong]

Wow. I really enjoyed his journey, to realize that in the end of the video... I feel 4 him, but at the same time it was such a beautiful journey. Where is this residual ~ stained emotion taking him... To somewhere in yesterday.

[@NWRefund]

I've watched a lot of TED talks, but this is the first time I've ever favorited one. I hope she's single, and I hope they get together. That would be an incredible footnote to his early morning journey.

[@HamzaSayedAli]

Then they could make it into a movie!

[@marcodipietro813]

Peace Like A River. Such an underrated tune.

[@LTS217]

I just watched this for the fourth time. I am captivated by it. It reaches a place deep within me with such amazing ease and totality.

[@SouthernBoulder]

Rives's talks are some of my favourite TED talks

[@dvslawyer1950]

A great story and an even better storyteller.Make sure that you listen to the entire speech. It is "unfreakin canny".

[@kriorge]

Nearly eight years later and this is still my favorite TED Talk.

[@trefod]

This is what meticulously self induced insanity looks like.

[@tombarker1232]

Still one of the best stories I've ever watched.

[@Kamielus]

This is the video I go to when I can't sleep at night. This is just the kind of extravagance I took for granted, even when I was extravagant.

[@whereeveritgoes]

Wow! It's like watching a novel. Great ending!

[@nakanakanaka1150]

I think my head is about to explode.

[@Destro7000]

omg, is there anything any of us can do to help?

[@nakanakanaka1150]

Destro7000 lol. Made my day.

[@Dubbien]

Destro7000 I laughed so much from this. I thank you!

[@ahmeddaaniyal7988]

Hehe

[@smolsand]

4 o' clock in the morning reminds me of this quote from a musicians book: “There is a phenomenon that occurs in the minds of many manic depressives when entering into either a manic or a depressive state that nobody claims to understand, but that bipolar's from the far corners of the world can attest to: the consistent waking up at four o’clock in the morning. And when I say at four o’clock, I mean four o’clock on the fucking dot. How many times have I given myself chills, waking up yet again after only two hours of sleep and looking over at the blinking red of a digital alarm clock only to see that number staring back at me? I’ve lost count. And the thing is, you don’t just wake up. You wake up with your mind racing, music churning over and over inside your head, the internal noise, words, pictures, absolutely unbearable, and it is absolutely impossible to go back to sleep.” ― Emilie Autumn, The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls

[@tarasierralee]

Amazing example!!

[@laplandJJ]

Wow, the way things connect--not by coincidence but somehow by fate. This is pretty awesome!~

[@Koribaby1]

I got emotional about his old flame referencing the mixtape and him keeping it and going back to it. Sweet. Tender.

[@carlossolis9824]

It was all the ripples of a Love that never went away. How amazing. Really felt the ending.

[@blossomgonzales7410]

This is so far the most beautiful talk on TED. 💗

[@SnarkNSass]

One of the first TED talks I ever saw. Along with how to tie your shoes... LOVE TED

[@TheSeaDaughter]

Still remember that talk! One of my faves

[@tangrtag1806]

This is my favorite ted talk. I remember watching this while studying english 3 years ago.

[@wailincaelan]

I had a college professor share this with my English class when it was released. I always revisit it every couple of years. My favorite as well

[@OlgaPerezWilchacky]

Interesting way to show how we are all - somehow - connected. Clever way to take us from feeling - where is this is going? - to enjoying cool TV clips, - to a romantic place, - to there it is........the "now I get it moment."

[@AimeeTheGreat]

This gets me every time. Chills. And a beautiful answer response to 4 in the morning.

[@GlendaClemens]

Beautiful! I loved every moment of this talk. The four-in-the-morning serendipity and romance is everything we all dream about.

[@ShariOliver]

Really the amazing-ness of this is the end. That human connection that personal detail is what makes us relate and connect with others. Great Great Great!

[@martafelis7851]

My favourite TED Talk.

[@fforflower8636]

Synchronicities. Love it.

[@moondive4ever]

Floored. Thank you. Thank you,

[@jessiegeorge2108]

4 in the morning popped up in the comic section today. Brought me right back to this beautiful video. :)

[@lindersi]

what a great story! My personal note to this is, that i just today woke up at four o´clock in the morning and couldnt sleep and now i find this in my YT subs.

[@Tikz24]

Now that is how you tell a story and boy, what a story it was! :O Just wonderful really.

[@ThomasFullSpeed]

Wow, I am in awe. Great facial expression during the talk. Watched it twice in a row.

[@14keti14]

I just watched this at 4 am because i couldnt sleep and am subscribed to TED talks channel ( didnt look anything up, just scrolled through suggestions) :)

[@hilmyb]

Never made a comment on KZbin before. But this was too cool. Don't think any KZbin "poetic" comment or reflection on life could be as intense as the connection Rives just made.

[@MickeyMMT]

This us just the kind of extravagance that I took for granted, even when I was extravagant. What an amazing journey.

[@MarkLucasProductions]

I'm a romantic. As much as anything else like this has brought me to tearful convulsions this brought me there. Wow.

[@MrEfra79]

One of the best speaches that I have heard, the world is sea of coincidences

[@LSTUARDI13]

loved this! Thank you for following the path!

[@omarhaidar5775]

I have no idea what is this all about but the way he tells it cool as heck.

[@Martyncuz]

Still one of the best TED talks I've seen :)

[@POLlyy23]

Rives! One of the reasons i have favorite poets.

[@obychem3472]

It made my brain happy. TY

[@lupin7559]

*shoves half open Great Gatsby novel off side of desk*

[@abdallahmanasrah2317]

4 years ago I liked you comment, still feeling for you to this day

[@abdallahmanasrah2317]

Yup, still feeling for you fox

[@lupin7559]

@@abdallahmanasrah2317 Thanks for reminding me of this epic spoiler! Great TED Talk - I just watched it again - but I was honestly reading The Great Gatsby for the first time and didn’t know what I was in for before he said that haha. 😆

[@daisybett7732]

I just woke up.. and am watching this at 4.05 am...interesting..

[@itsFlycatcher]

This is.... some serious trivia knowledge-fuel. Not sure what else I can use this knowledge for, but it's fascinating, and I definitely do not feel like I wasted these 14 minutes of my life. (Also now I know what sentimental thing I should do for my partner for his birthday. Mixtape of poems. Genius.)

[@willshakeyou]

RIVES!!! Total bro crush right here. lol

[@MeandYoutoo8]

Connections ... this reminds us that what we perceive is just a fraction, the tip of the ice burg, of the endlessness that connects us all. We are not alone. When feeling empty ... look again. When meeting someone you have nothing in common with ... look again. When feeling like the whole world is against you ... look again. Separation is a man made cage for the mind. Feeling bad is just not seeing enough of the picture.

[@jaclynbludorn3644]

How can a tedtalk be so satisfying

[@Zeinthar]

Famous Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen "Its four in the morning, the end of december Im writing you now just to see if youre better New york is cold, but I like where Im living Theres music on clinton street all through the evening."

[@emmanueld.1816]

Favorite talk to this day. 2021 quarantine gang wya?

[@ramon5hms5]

Is it a coincidence that I'm watching this at four in the morning?

[@lv1023]

Rives is just way too cool!

[@bodyofhope]

What a story! Everyone I know who has trouble sleeping wakes up between 3&4 in the morning. When I was very ill, I was at my worst at that time-- clockwork. It IS the bewitching hour. Idk what happens to the environment, to the moon, to the oxygen perhaps, or maybe just maybe to the spiritual forces we cannot see but whatever this time brings doesn't have a peaceful or calming effect.

[@debramorrow872]

thought you would get a kick out of this as 4 am is becoming your time!

[@jannoall]

Rives, another one for you. Yesterday July 13th, on PBS In the "Endeavour " showing, the Detective says "Just after 4 ". I just had to tell you. Enjoyed your youtube very much !

[@michellecharlie8649]

For my language arts class, I have been trying to find examples, to share with my students, where a person leads his audience to an ending, in an interesting way that ties all the ideas together! Well done!!! I love the nonsense!

[@azucarmorena5000]

i remember him from def poetry slam-"Thank you for giving me voice!!!!!"

[@HeikeRenee]

aw, this is incredible

[@MerGirl62]

Rives never ever disappoints.

[@sammie1633]

I just watched a 14-minute video about a man's obsession with an hour. What has quarantine done to me

[@TheDreavill]

Totally worth it.

[@Grumpini]

Yes! I totally forgot about Rives

[@kakashi76767]

Me too. And I watched it at 4 pm...

[@charlieclark74]

Now there’s “4 a.m.” by 2 chainz and and Travis Scott

[@imir8ati]

Nice talk 14 minutes but kinda nice, I have never had someone I could call at 4 in the morning but what I got or settled for was using it as a measuring stick. Love you mom

[@Seita1223]

An interesting reflection on how we can find meaning in the odd little things, and connect them to the bigger picture.

[@underworldling]

This would make a better love story than twilight.

[@IanM0rris]

Ding ding ding! Congratulations, you've won KZbin's most irrelevant comment.

[@underworldling]

Ian Morris I see you're new here. Welcome to the internet, where everything that anyone says is irrelevant.

[@TheErrol5555]

Tyler Poole LOL well put Tyler

[@starlx8283]

agreed

[@sherriking5990]

This is beautiful.

[@HansPauli]

I'm watching this at 4.50 in the morning....

[@KalesandCiCi]

Life is wonderful. This is one of the reasons. ~Kales

[@Spathephoros]

To all those who missed the point, it's content that is not made for you. It's for hopeless romantics. They get it.

[@celerystikz]

man so true about the groin injury thing

[@joanafadista246]

Amazing! Love this TED talk, thank you so much for this amazing moment.

[@falcychead8198]

I'm getting caught-up on my TEDtalks viewing at 6 am, because I woke up at 4 in the morning, as I often do, wishing that I knew a girl who would make me a multidimensionally encrypted mix tape with a Dadaist title in French.

[@Caperhere]

Falcy Chead You could make one for someone. Maybe even anonymously.

[@philramsteck3719]

so awesome

[@MyDedededededededede]

When I switched from one AD to another AD I was waking up so many nights at 4 a.m, and it wasn't nice.

[@teresasilveira9207]

Loved it!

[@Truthiness231]

One of Watsky's most recent songs mentions 4:20 a.m. early on in a song ("Right Now"); a near miss... but he made up for it years back with his song "4AM Monday" ^.^

[@HamzaSayedAli]

"...it was 4:20 when I made that dumb joke/I was saying something like blah blah blunt smoke..."

[@globalman]

Song, "it's four o'clock in the morning, we danced the whole night through"! ..... And 4:31AM 17 January 1994 Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles destroyed my life which was never to be the same.

[@mcjennis]

Watching this was a compete water of time

[@phoenixbpos]

Brilliant!

[@MostlyLoveOfMusic]

I was inadvertently watching this at 4am, without even knowing what I was doing!