Human Universals

On Pangea Day, Donald Brown spoke about his years of studying humans for universal things we all have in common. He has compiled a list and this is it. Human Universals.

A New Paradigm

I have mentioned previously that in order for the world to be changed there needs to be a realignment of values, in other words, a paradigm shift. Our entire way of thinking needs to be changed. In order for this to happen, unfortunately, it will require that this new way of thinking be created for the average person. The average person is more passive in their way of living, they are dictated by the system in which the live within, instead of actively questioning and engaging the system. We, the people who want to see a change in the system, the ones who actively think about the world we live in, must create a new one. A paradigm defined with hope, inspiration, global values, etc.

Craig Kielburger had a great quote today in the Toronto Star about just this shift in thinking. He said, "The idea behind (it) is that if we're going to truly end poverty it's more than just writing a cheque. It's shifting how young people look at the world, how they shop, how they vote, how they give of their time". His brother and him describe it as a movement but I think it is more than just that. A movement can fade over time, whereas a shift in the way we live our lives is timeless.

Try to think about how you can contribute to the paradigm shift, where would you be able to influence those around you to change the way they think about their interaction with the world. Actively make the world a better place and don't just wait for someone else to create your new world for you.

It Starts With One Person

Here is a great video showcasing the power one person has to start a movement. Through action others will follow.

Would Tim Horton Be Proud?

I read an interesting story today about a Tim Hortons manager berating an individual for purchasing food for a homeless person and then leaving her in the restaurant to eat it. Apparently it was this stores policy not to allow homeless people to eat in the restaurant because they are 'too messy', regardless if they are a paying customer or not.

Ludicrous. Appalling. How dare they treat another human being with such disrespect. A policy against homeless people? They should be brought up on charges of discrimination. It crosses the line. Sure the restaurant must provide an atmosphere where all customers must feel comfortable and not to be bothered, so I can understand a no panhandling policy, but to deliberately target homeless people as being less than human is too far. Sure, they are ok if the homeless person wants to pay for the food, but to enjoy it like any other customer would be against the rules.

What happened to caring for people down on their luck? lending a hand when someone is down? What I would like to know is how many donuts Tim Hortons discards on a daily basis. Why not offer them to those who are starving and in obvious need of some help. Afraid that more homeless people might show up looking for a handout? That argument has always blown me away, "If we can't help everyone we wont help anyone" is essentially what they are saying. If every Tim Hortons gave out a dozen donuts to homeless people then, without doing the math, my guess is every homeless person would receive one. 12 donuts. How many do they throw out?

Homeless people aren't to be treated with disdain, they should be treated with the respect you or I would give each other, to our families, and to our friends. I am appalled that this happens and I hope this isn't the last we will hear of this story. I hope that in the coming months we hear reports of this particular Tim Hortons being reprimanded, or a customer boycott against them. It shouldn't happen, and Tim Horton would be disgusted if he were alive to see it.

Whats Worth More

Let me ask you this:

What is worth more
A dollar or a kind word
A dollar or a smile
A dollar or hug
A dollar or giving hope
A dollar or a minute or your time

We get so caught up in giving money we forget what all of us can give. You don't need a dollar to make a difference. I know what I would rather receive and while a dollar for some can make the difference between life and death, it doesn't change the fact that everyday we could give so much more, and change the lives of so many more without a pocket full of money. What is worth more to you?

Triage and An Imperfect Offering

One of my idols is Dr. James Orbinski. He is an incredible human being having taken part in several of Medicines Sans Frontiers missions in some of the most horrible conditions imaginable. Recently, he came out with both a book and a documentary about the experiences he has endured and the sense of understanding he has tried to find. I picked up my copy of the book, An Imperfect Offering, but haven't yet been able to crack it open. It is next on my list to read, however.



I also came across the website for the documentary, Triage, which has the following synopsis.

"Leaving his young family behind in Toronto, Canada-where he's a university professor and doctor-Orbinski returns to Africa, revisiting the past and engaging with the present. He hopes that here, in the place where he witnessed humanity literally torn apart, he can rediscover the true heart of humanitarianism.

In Triage: Dr. James Orbinski's Humanitarian Dilemma, Patrick Reed's feature-length documentary, Orbinski travels to war-torn Somalia, the first place he was posted with MSF in 1992; then to Rwanda, where he was MSF Head of Mission during the 1994 genocide. Finally he goes to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, where it seems humanitarian dreams go to die.

Filmed in an intense vérité style, Triage presents a unique view of the world through the penetrating eyes of Orbinski. He refuses to turn away when confronting troubling memories or realizing disturbing truths and, in the most unlikely of places, he finds where bonds of solidarity are forged and human spirits remain unbroken.

Orbinski has seen lives saved and lives lost and has personally witnessed a world gone astray. In Triage: Dr. James Orbinski's Humanitarian Dilemma, he searches for a new path and invites the viewer to follow."

Check out the website for Triage to check out the trailer for the film.

Amnesty International and Imagine

Amnesty International and Yoko Ono teamed up recently in a new campaign for human rights. Using John Lennons song Imagine (which I posted here), Amnesty recreated the song in a video with children passing along their dreams for a better world. I am a big fan of the song, and am now a big fan of the campaign. Here is the video for your viewing pleasure:

AMAM - Association of Woman Against Genital Mutilation

I came across this really good advertising campaign. It is provocative but gets the point across in a way that no one can miss. Not-For-Profits are gradually getting better at making things that people respond to and this is a great example. The same old PSA's don't cut it anymore, people tune out.

Maybe it is wrong in a way and some people will certainly disagree but the message has to be catered to the mainstream. The early adopters and those who care without hesitation will read or watch anything, but the mainstream is far more choosy and, yes, not as responsive. Marketing a cause will alienate some but it is about creating groundswell, and moving the paradigm, which can't be done by the early adopters (what I will call those who are on board from the start regardless of marketing) alone.

Catering and directing ads at this large population of people can in some ways prove fruitless, however, it is more about graduating this group up towards the early adopters. This is done bit by bit, little by little, through awareness and information. Most people are not ignorant, they are just uninformed and if you can inform them they will respond.

In this day and age where people see hundreds upon thousands of ads a day getting an important message across is increasingly more difficult. It will require something poignant and provocative just like this campaign. Not everyone will respond but they will notice and that, as much as anything, should be the idea.

The 11th Hour

I watched a great documentary today called the 11th Hour. Leonardo DiCaprio produced and narrated the film about the environment and the role of humans in both its degradation and how we can fix what has gone wrong. It is a compelling film with a far broader look at the relationship we have with the planet than just global warming. It is both informative and moving and certainly worth either the rental or purchase. I attached the trailer if you have not yet watched it. There is also two accompanying websites, one for the film and one for people looking to take action. The film website can be viewed at 11thhourfilm.com, and the action website can be seen at 11thhouraction.com

Make The Difference Network

A new social network for those looking to make a difference has popped up. This time it is backed by some celebrity firepower. Created by Jessica Biel and boasting other celebrities such as The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), Brian Griese, and Gabrielle Union amongst others. The following is the description of what MTDN is:

"Make The Difference Network (MTDN) is a cause-oriented social network that connects nonprofit organizations with potential donors and increases awareness for small-to-medium nonprofit organizations.

Our Misson is to democratize giving by increasing the visibility of thousands of nonprofit organizations and empowering potential donors to search, select and fund these organizations’ specific “Wishes” and then to see the results of their giving."

It will be interesting to see if all these "Make a Difference" Social Networks can coexist and indeed live up to their missions. They are great for connecting people and hearing about what others are up to but I have yet to see one post success stories of the site being the protagonist for creating good things. It just seems that they are used to highlight what is already happening and I would like to see one of these social networks pop up and take that as its raison d'etre. My other criticism of all these social networks is that they bite off a lot at once without letting the user figure out how things work and how they can make the most of their experience on the site. I log on and I am immediately daunted by everything that is available to me and I don't know where to begin. I usually end up clicking through a couple of pages and then logging off because there is just too much information. I think that a greater focus needs to be achieved when starting these sites, and instead of creating more of the same they should work together with other sites so as not to splinter the effects that they can have. If there are 4 million people spread out across 10 sites then it becomes difficult to keep up to date on all that is going on out in the world, effectively stifling what is possible. It is a real problem throughout the not-for-profit world but one that needs to be addressed.

I wish MTDN the best of luck and urge you to check it out. It may be exactly what you are looking for in your social network.

100 People: A World Portrait

A friend sent me a link to this website today and I thought I would share it. It is called 100 People: A World Portrait and here is a blurb from the website that explains what it is all about:

"The 100 People Foundation exists to provide a structure and an organization for the project 100 People: A World Portrait. We believe that visual arts-based educational and multimedia programs are the most powerful channels through which we can build awareness, facilitate communication about diversity and activate change within our global community.

The project will find and capture in film, photography, music and text 100 individuals who represent the global population, proportionate to annual global surveys and statistics. This World Portrait will be used to make an introduction between the peoples of the earth and to facilitate a greater understanding of the diversity and the commonalities among us."

The project will publish a book, movie, photography exhibit, a school curriculum and the website. The project is already underway and you can check out some of the videos online at the website at 100 People. If you have a minute to check it out I urge you to do so. I think it is an important realization to understand the makeup of the world and the place you inhabit within it.

Tomorrow is Pangea Day

It is a big day tomorrow and I hope you are able to see what will be an amazing experience. Pangea day will be broadcast around the world tomorrow from 2-6pm Eastern time and is available on CityTV here in Canada. 24 films from all around the world. 24 different views on one earth. If you want to learn more about the show and where you can catch it log onto the website at Pangea Day

Random Kindness

Sometimes, in an alternate universe maybe, a stranger will do something kind for someone like open the door, or maybe say excuse me, or flash a smile, or offer spare change for the bus fare. It only happens so often and we hardly ever get to bare witness to it. Which I find absolutely astounding. At one point these things were called manners, or if a man did he was chivalrous, either way they were more than expected they were normal behavior.

Now I have been a fan of shows, movies, and organizations that in the past decade have made highlighting people who make random kindness regular behavior again. A few years back there was a great movie called Pay It Forward. It was nothing new but it made famous the act of being kind again. Since then we have seen many books and television shows take on the same idea but it still hasn't caught on. It is still an act of the minority to be openly kind to everyone including those you don't know. It is easy to be nice to those you know but alien to be nice to those you don't. That is the true measure here though. This is what character is. The person who opens their heart to all those they meet, who can care regardless of being intimately knowledgeable of a person.

I became familiar with this great organization called The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation a few years back. It acts as a meeting point for all those people who wish to share their ideas and experiences with integrating random acts of kindness into their daily lives. It is a celebration of those who care and of those who deserve some praise. We watch Oprah's Big Give and we lose sight of the fact that the things they were giving to were things that should not exist in the first place. Schools full of children unable to afford books or a wholesome meal. It shouldn't take an international television show or a website to make people notice the plight of our neighbors - the people we pass every day on our way to work. Here is the truth, the krux of it all: Kindness should not be random, it should be a part of our lives - a big part of our lives.

We shouldn't have to highlight kindness, we should not have to qualify kindness with random because that means it isn't done all the time, inherent in all that we do. If I could leave one lasting message it would be that kindness emanate from all that you do to all that you meet. Do me a favor and take that as your life mission. It may not happen overnight but little-by-little and day-by-day you will notice the world around you change. Your outlook will change, the people around you will change, everything will change. The paradigm will shift and the qualifier will drop and the people, organizations, movies and t.v. shows will stop. That is the world I want to live in. That is the world I want to impart on people. Kindness should be a way of life, so make it yours.