Public empathy and action is the new celebrity group song- I am looking forward to The Simpsons episode on this...

KONY2012 exploded in the last few days, confirming more than ever we live in a global community. In quick response to the compelling 30 minute film (firstly, kudos for making a film that ran for 30 minutes but was so compelling it got people to watch it because someone or everyone told them too. It feels like 30 is shorter than it was 15 years ago) skepticism and conspiracy theory’s quickly popped up.

Was this film actually made by Joseph Kony?

Is this America’s way of legitimately invading yet another country to potentially get their hands on lucrative natural resources?

Is KONY2012 and Invisible Children the charity behind the campaign actually worthy of your money and support?

A few years ago there was a big buzz around Greg Mortenson’s book ‘Three Cups of Tea’ where he details all the wonder things he has done since starting the Central Asia Institute (CAI), an organization to build schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even president Obama was stoked about it and gave a portion of his Noble Peace Prize winnings to the charity. But it turns out Greg Mortenson was greedier than we had all wanted to believe and he exaggerated the extent of the charities work while using it as his personal bank account. He also profited personally from the publicity of it all and gave back very little to CAI.

This all came out in the Jon Krakauer book ‘Three Cups of Deceit’ for which Jon did not profit. It’s a good read if your interested or you can watch the 60 minutes report here.

So what of KONY2012?

Well here are some alternative views that have come across my radar today.

From VisibleChildren.Tumblr and the response from InvisibleChildren

But you know me…always with the learning. So what do we learn from this?

Well this has set a new standard for humanity I think. The breath of what we acknowledge that is removed from our reality has expanded.

Its possible to unite a wider cross section of people for a single cause than we have seen in a while. (But maybe I just think that because I am only seeing my friends and acquaintances’ actions and reactions. Honestly I don’t know what people in Egypt, Borneo or Mongolia think about this, will do about this or if they even have time in their day to divert from other priorities and pay this attention.)

People are getting creative. They are cracking open their worlds in many forms. Acknowledging their own previous ignorance people are talking, theorizing and getting educated. They are caring and thinking about their personal social commentary, they are producing it and putting it out in the world. I think it’s a great thing. It paves the way for greater understanding, evolution and connection.  Here are a few that caught my attention this morning.

via Mr Davies.

Via Mr. Damante.

 This one will make sense if you have see this. (not for the kiddies) 

Via  Miss. Greenaway

Thanks go to Mr. Gysen

I'd be delighted too mate...

came to me via Mr Yates. 

thanks to Mr. Chung

I think any unsupportive messages aimed at people who are new to activism must be coming from inactive people. Because activists don’t shut down support for the cause. There is a saying on my Grammy’s fridge that says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” So to all you newbie’s to activism; YOU count. Your involement matters. Do what you can. Explore what you believe, get educated, do what you believe is right and Welcome!

I also think that as we begin to embrace to global community we will in public empathy and collective action becomes the new celebrity group song…and honestly I’m looking forward to seeing the Simpsons episode on that :)