@David,
I am inspired at times by Rob Bell who speaks candidly about soscial issues (NOOMA eg.). One of my favorites on youtube is The Bullhorn Guy. He gives people something to think about no matter what your faith/religion is. Inspirational without being pushy.

Censorship is cruel sometimes. The world can only change if we are allowed to express an honest thought. Especially if it is out of friendship.

Why not? I believe it can.
I am totally inspired by Allan’s project (especially the challenges it takes!), it makes me rethink the destiny of my own ideas.
And I understood the point you said about earlier, - releasing ideas from ‘boxes’ into the web, there’s more chances to realize them.
All you need are Big Idea and some friends ready to support. Together it becomes easier to develop and achieve it, together it’s possible to change the world!

I like Allan’s project as well. I was referring to a comment of mine that was deleted.

I am very lucky to have found a place of employment whose mission statement is “making a difference, one person one family at a time”. I am also inspired by Alan and the things that he is standing up to. It is interesting that Yvette expressed concerns about censorship as children’s voices are hugely unheard in our society and others so when adults are in positions of being oppressed and silenced there is an opportunity to develop empathy for those who are in similiar positions of encagement. I check out this site at least every other day as I find the posts and contributers interesting and generally the thoughts are not presented over my head(usually). I go to a couple work related sites regularly, I like myspace for the music and heads up on tours, but I guess the most important thing i look for are sites that are individualized rather than focussed on mass. I gain inspiration from people, their ideas and creativity, their work, passion..and really how they treat others. Nobody wants to be a file number…at least I don’t. I didn’t really answer your question..sorry…but i think it mostly still comes mostly from one to one contacts..my work is 24hours a day…I guess i am old school..

I am concerned about the plight of children who don’t have a voice…yes. One area that interests me is the importing/exporting of diamonds from Sierra Leone since the 1800’s. “Blood Diamonds” being exported from Africa to other countries have caused much violence and tens of thousands of people have been killed over conflict. Although peace was claimed in 2002, many of these diamonds are still being exported. “All As One” is an organization or initiative that helps children who have been affected by war with housing, clothing and education/income opportunities. Where do your diamonds come from?

I wrote a poem on here (that got deleted) to express that value can come from non-material things such as David’s blog. I get more pleasure out of reading something that interests me than looking at a big fat diamond! “Little Diamonds” as I call them (the things that are priceless in a non-material sense)are worth more to me than expensive cars or jewelry. Let me say something…and I don’t mean to gush, but I see David’s ingenuity, creativity and sense of connectedness with his fans as a rare occurence in the big media world. Each day he gives us a gem ( a piece of music to inspire the lot…or something great to talk about) thus, “Little Diamonds”. This may be off topic but I didn’t know where else to express.

Sarah Perez did an interesting article back in May called �How to Use Social Media for Social Change�. It gives a nice little overview of some of the possibilities.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_use_social_media_for_social_change.php

very good point..I will check out All is One.

I saw a mother yesterday buying medication to shut her kid up to make things easy for school teachers not to care. She said: “I don’t know if it’s going to work but I’m willing to try” Oh really (I’m thinking). Just a few minutes before the kid was trying to speak to her, a stranger came by and she made her child shut up while talking to the stranger “I haven’t seen her in a while…”. So the kid didn’t appreciate being interrupted softly call mommy. She answers “When I speak you have to wait” (I’m thinking “bitch”). So back to the counter she’s spends almost half an hour working the details of drug administration, wanting to be certain the child will have sufficient drug in order for him not to bother society. The child is sitting quietly for half an hour on this massage chair. When I smile at him he explains to me how the massage chair work and how good it feels on his back and his head; he’s really intelligent. His mom never turns her heard to see who he’s talking to, he’s almost wearing a sing on his forehead stating “my mom don’t give a shit” ( hey I still wear that sing too). Suddenly the mom’s tone goes higher as to state for the world that she’s willing to make life good for him (with ritalin). His eyes have both sadness ans resignation.

I rarely do this but I spoke to him through my thoughts and he heard me, his eyes responded. I told him: “they don’t understand you but when you grow, you will show them how special you are.” He lowered his head and said he finally discovered how to turn the chair off. Last night my child was sleeping but her eyes opened with a blind stare, really odd. I got up, touched her hair and told her: “never let anyone inside your head, never, not even when you sleep. you understand me right?” “Yes mommy” her eyes changed back and she went back to her peaceful slumber.

Talking to kids is what makes the difference.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has!” - Margaret Mead

so yes, i think social media can change the world.
the slideshow is very interesting.

thank you again for sharing these things with us, david. ^^

thank you david for promoting this initiative. i am forever in your debt.

there are many problems in the world and it is high time for the internet to make the world a better place. social media is the way that i have chosen to attack world issues, in part because this is a space i am familiar with. do you have any example of the internet being used to help make the world a better place?

here are a few examples i’m familiar with

http://www.givemeaning.com/ (a place to give … run by Tom Williams … an incredible human being)

http://www.storycorps.net/ (a place where people can tell their story)

http://www.takingitglobal.org/ (online community that connects youth to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action …)

@Cindy. As the wife of a teacher and as a substitute teacher assistant I can tell you that there are many very caring teachers out here who have first hand knowledge of what it is like to teach children who have disabilities or have focus/attention issues or hyperactive/behavioral issues. Many children will go undiagnosed for years without help and Yes many are prescribed medication (Ritalin). For some students this works, for others it may not. It must be constantly monitered. Every case is different and blanket statements are not helpful. Most families will try everything possible before putting their children on meds. I have seen first-hand, though, the difference that medication can make in a child’s life. Is it overprescribed in some cases? Yes. Does it work for every child? no. Medication isn’t the only answer. Behavioral therapy, food/diet modifcation and yes plenty of hugs and high-fives with a listening ear can work wonders too. Parents of children with ADD, ADHD, Autism spectrum Disorders and behavioral problems may have higher stress and so may react to their children impatiently. That’s why there needs to be team support from teachers, careworkers and society. Children with Asperger’s have trouble picking up suttle social cues that the average person learns quite easily early in life. It may take many reminders in teaching them not to interrupt or teach them how to approach people in an appropriate manner. You are right about one thing. If this mother gave more attention to her child in a loving way he would respond well-mannered and calm…a lot of children who have Asperger’s are very intelligent and are willing to behave as long as you have an entire hour and a-half to listen to whatever subject they happen to be obsessed about. Very often not getting a word in edge-wise.LOl. Others may not be responsive to direction because they are off in their own little beautiful world. I’m thankful for these differences and also know that a little help can go a long way. Thank you again Cindy for bringing up a very important topic!

Thank you very much for being so sweet Yvette, I Appreciate this. I may have forgotten to mention that I’ve been working around people with mental illness for many, many years and some people who have had self confidence issues or some who never spoke have started to talk and make jokes in direct contact with me, I may not have a diploma in the matter but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that this particular kid doesn’t need any medication and I can tell you without the shadow of a doubt that this kid will make the news and make the world better. I love humans because the power of human brains can not be calculated.

@Cindy. No one needs a diploma to judge human character. It sounds like you have experience as well.:-) The human mind is incredible and can absorb positive energy through the eyes of another human being (the windows to the soul so to speak). It is unforunate that this child may have a parent ill-equipped to be a parent. However, my point (irregardless of that particular situation) is that some children may not be able to pick up on suttle facial cues that most children learn quite easily. It can be learned through practice in some cases. You have made your point that medication isn’t necessary in this case. Still, there is much debate from the media of late about the use of Ritalin and a constant lynching of teachers or parents which I find unfair. Each side has valid points. I think on the whole our society is overmedicated…let’s just not critisize those parents who have found a remedy that works for their children and monitor their progress responsibly.

Thank you for this.
It really made my day