Thursday, 15 January 2009

Spread the word



Please watch this video. Well, if you're here, you probably already have. I have posted this video for several reasons.

Ths first is that it, as a piece of art and how I learned about it, is a perfect example of what the tools and behaviours of the internet can do that no other medium (and I hesitate to use that word) can do.

It is a beautiful piece of work that only a few years ago would not have been possible without the backing of a wealthy client. It's a piece of art that did not get forced into the middle of my favourite TV show, but rather one that I have chosen to watch, because a friend of mine sent it to me.

Now I share it with you. And this is exactly what you can do in digital that you can't do anywhere else. I was the 230,109th person to watch it. And that will only grow as it goes viral. I would like to use my rather limited reach to help the makers of this film out. That's the important thing you can do with a film digitally that you can't do with a well-made commercial. You can immediately help out by sending it on. No £2 ask, no number to call.

But the main reason why I am writing to you tonight, as a member of humanity (and their much over-analisyed alter egos, consumers), is that this film, and it course through the Internet , drew a straight line between the homeless people featured and my own experience. As someone who only made it through the ass end of freelancing because of the compassion of his friends, I recognise the desolation and isolation from humanity.

And I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Ever.

Thanks to Lucas Levitan for reminding me.

1 comment:

Hunter said...

Yup, that got the hairs on my arms standing on end.

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