This short and moving film, Birthright, by Sean Mullens is a testament to the will and drive of the human spirit to go after what they feel is their birthright. In this case, disabled Michael finds his freedom in the water. Inspiration at its best!
BIRTHRIGHT from Sean Mullens on Vimeo.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Product of Your Environment or Slave to the Grind?
Many people think that slavery was abolished in the 19th century; But a modern-day form of slavery is a slave in and of itself to our desires and consumerism. 21st-century slavery takes many forms, from forced prostitution to child trafficking to forced labor.
Child labor is so far removed from those of us living in the Western world that we tend to forget about its existence thanks to laws that protect people from being taken advantage of. We stroll into stores and throw products into our shopping bags and never once think about whether the people who made that product were fairly compensated.
This detailed map shows where products (everything from chile peppers to diamonds) are garnered using forced labor around the world--and, as you will see, this forced-labor slavery is certainly not taking place in North America or in Europe. So the next time you think about getting your brand new granite countertop, make sure you check that no people were hurt in the making of that product.
http://www.productsofslavery.org/
Child labor is so far removed from those of us living in the Western world that we tend to forget about its existence thanks to laws that protect people from being taken advantage of. We stroll into stores and throw products into our shopping bags and never once think about whether the people who made that product were fairly compensated.
This detailed map shows where products (everything from chile peppers to diamonds) are garnered using forced labor around the world--and, as you will see, this forced-labor slavery is certainly not taking place in North America or in Europe. So the next time you think about getting your brand new granite countertop, make sure you check that no people were hurt in the making of that product.
http://www.productsofslavery.org/
Friday, November 19, 2010
Cellphone Dying? Get to Steppin'!
Japan is leading the way in harnessing the power of people’s footsteps in subway stations to power their ticket machines and billboards. So why not harness the energy that our bodies naturally output to charge something that always needs charging—our cellphones! I have been caught out there one too many times with a low-battery warning and if taking a walk would do the trick I’d not only be reachable but also fit! Orange Power Wellies are a new boot that uses your footsteps to charge your cell and I love the idea of using renewable energy for practical purposes. I can even foresee some slick new designs to accompany these once it hits the stores!
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| Image from www.gotwind.org |
Don’t Drive Around a Bus—Drive Under It!
The Straddling Bus is China’s attempt to revolutionize the way we take public transportation and it’s o-so-21st-century. I’m sure there will be lots of kinks to work out but according to the video, it will not only save commuters time, but also help reduce the carbon footprint toll that transportation takes on our world. I, for one, am looking forward to this.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Make Love, Not War
Check out this video from Cultures of Resistance on the globalization of militaries/weaponries all around the world. Imagine how much money could go to education and healthcare instead of making weapons. Sad, really.
Cultures of Resistance: A Look at Global Militarization from Cultures of Resistance on Vimeo.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Connect the Dots, Says Steve Jobs
I am inspired by college drop-out and Apple (and Pixar Animation) founder’s Stanford University speech about how his life’s ‘dots’ found a way to connect to form the magnificent picture of his accomplishments that we know today.
onBeing a Human Being
onBeing is a weekly multimedia series put out by the Washington Post, which explores the musings, opinions and anecdotes of everyday people through video portraits. onBeing is “based on the simple notion that we should get to know one another better.” It’s a great way to be a part of the human constellation.
http://specials.washingtonpost.com/mv/onbeing/
http://specials.washingtonpost.com/mv/onbeing/
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| Screenshot from Washington Post |
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Taking the World by Storm: MediaStorm
I lovelovelove this website. They produce the most amazing, moving, informational, educational multimedia stories, with photography, video and graphics to rival the very best—hell, they ARE the best. Their pieces have been featured on everything from the Washington Post to National Geographic. Check out any of their ‘films’ and be inspired!
Keep It Real: 4Real
4Real is an online community that produces—among other things—a TV series that highlights countries and people interested in real social change. My favorite episode is about my native Liberia, which features singer MIA and humanitarian Kimmie Weeks.
Definitely check out their other series. For real.
The Q Drum: A Rolling Revolution
When we need potable water, we walk to the nearest corner store--there's one on damn near every block. But for countless women around the world—especially in Africa—clean, drinkable water is not as accessible to them as a bottle of Deer Park from 7-11 is for us.
The responsibility to walk miles each day to get water falls on women—and children. They carry what they can manage, on their heads, in unbearable heat, no matter how far. And with climate change affecting water availability in many parts of Africa, they are starting to travel even farther.
Enter The Q Drum, a rollable water container that is a simple but much needed-water container that will change the way women can fetch their water.
Their site says it is a “durable, donut shaped plastic container which when full holds 50 litres of water. Its uniqueness lies in the design of the longitudinal shaft or central hole, through which a rope is tied, to pull or roll the drum along all terrain types.”
Kudos for a small design that will make a huge difference in many women’s lives.
For more information visit: http://qdrum.co.za/
The responsibility to walk miles each day to get water falls on women—and children. They carry what they can manage, on their heads, in unbearable heat, no matter how far. And with climate change affecting water availability in many parts of Africa, they are starting to travel even farther.
Enter The Q Drum, a rollable water container that is a simple but much needed-water container that will change the way women can fetch their water.
Their site says it is a “durable, donut shaped plastic container which when full holds 50 litres of water. Its uniqueness lies in the design of the longitudinal shaft or central hole, through which a rope is tied, to pull or roll the drum along all terrain types.”
Kudos for a small design that will make a huge difference in many women’s lives.
For more information visit: http://qdrum.co.za/
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