The lost world of the London coffeehouse | Dr Matthew Green | TEDxEastEnd

Would you go up to a stranger in a coffee shop and ask them for the latest news? Dr Matthew Green takes us back to the 17th and 18th century when London's original fleet of coffeehouses were very different from the current crop of branded cafes. Matthew calls for a coffeehouse revolution to bring us out of digital isolation and back into physical community.
Historian and public speaker Dr Matthew Green is the author of the acclaimed book London: A Travel Guide Through Time (Penguin) and the founder of Unreal City Audio, which produces immersive, critically acclaimed tours of London as live events and downloads. He writes for some of our biggest newspapers, appears in documentaries across the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and has a PhD from Oxford University in the history of the media.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@tvengineer1]

we had a personal tour of coffee houses conducted by Dr Green while in London. His unique storytelling whisked you back to the 17th century to experience the early coffee houses. He even provided coffee brewed similar to what the earlier coffee houses poured.

[@sana9752]

such a natural speaker. Loved it.

[@MiaFeigelsonGallery]

What news have you? Answer: I've listened to a fabulous speech by Dr Matthew Green on 'The Lost World of London Coffeehouses' Thank you, Dr Green, Tedx Talks and London Historians who shared this video on their Facebook Page !

[@trungtamchamsocsuckhoe9380]

1:11 love this momment

[@G4KDXlive]

I have read Matthew Green's pamphlet on this subject which is a very interesting read. The character of the old London coffeehouses sounds like cafes/bars in the Netherlands where people will routinely strike up conversations with strangers. The owners put lots of stools at the bar or if not possible along a wall for people to wander in and chat with strangers.

[@malebitsatimbuktu3352]

I'm not always quite alone at Starbucks. The urban anonymity of alone together is quite socially fulfilling

[@actress-dancer]

I love to work on essays there.

[@dumolollen7676]

The coffee house of 17th & 18th gave birth to world's greatest financial institutions the Lloyds of London which started at a coffee shop

[@brianwallace2267]

Does anyone know if coffee houses always provided drinking vessels (mugs/cups), or did you ever have to bring your own?

[@JoyInMyHeart1]

Brilliant!

[@granskare]

I saw you on the monarchs show, Victoria on :)

[@rodrigopereira2343]

Omg i love minute 6:37

[@pamelahousel3147]

What news have you??? Bravo!

[@davidrodrigues3202]

OMG, minute 6:37 was so amazing!

[@callyvann5002]

1:02 what is it?

[@svenjahemmerlein8737]

Hahae so good

[@nicolobagnariol324]

do u want to raid poland with us?

[@imcanee5123]

yessir

[@bertodiez2561]

1:11 love this momment