“There aren’t many things that are universally cool, and it’s cool not to litter. I’d never do it.” Matthew McConaughey
Over the weekend I rented Waiting for “Superman”, a powerful documentary about the American educational system by Davis Guggenheim who you might remember won the Academy Award for An Inconvenient Truth. The film surprised me by leveling part of blame for our struggling educational system on teachers themselves; more specifically teachers unions. While the film encourages you to get out there and make a difference (in fact the DVD includes a gift card toDonors Choose), it left me with a hopeless feeling. In my post-viewing I imagined that Mr. Guggenheim had this same feeling and my impression was that he actually exposed some things he wasn't expecting and might not have wanted to.
Happy-go-lucky, I updated my status on Facebook, lauding the film and urging people to see it. Well, that little comment unleashed a helluva thread. One friend is a teacher and is offended by the film. Another friend ambiguously tossed the word “idiot” in her direction. My favorite Republican rabble-rouser threw research in to stir the pot with accusations that Guggenheim has weathered before of creating fake scenes. A friend who was born in London related his culture shock in attending an American high school.
As someone who manages to get things done with social media, I probably shouldn't admit that I have no clue how a good thread gets started. I've posted things on this blog and social networking sites and thought “let the shitstorm begin!” only to watch the comment wither in the void of cyberspace like Larry King with an expired Viagra prescription. In my humble-ish opinion, this thread was a good one though because it got people talking and thinking.
I don't know Davis, but my guess is that is his motivation for creating his films, too. Get people talking and thinking. A simple Google search will show you that he has been wildly successful in achieving that goal. His loftier goal, I'm surmising, is to change things and I believe the discourse will lead to that. A much bigger reward than another Oscar many feel the film was snubbed in not being nominated.
As with every Monday (unless I'm feeling lazy), you'll find links below that I hope get you talking, thinking, and making a difference on our Big Blue Marble. I call them Ripples, if you don't know why, let me suggest clicking here.
This Buddha's for You
Buddhist Temple Built from Beer Bottles
As you know, I'm a huge fan of using reclaimed materials. It's well and good to recycle, but that process does cost money and energy to achieve. I have to say that this Buddhist temple, made of old beer bottles, has to be the most beautiful example of reusing discarded materials that I have ever seen.
A Buck is a Buck
U.S. Coins: Replacing the $1 Note with a $1 Coin Would Provide a Financial Benefit to the Government
Have you ever wondered why we haven't been able to embrace a dollar coin in America? Other countries have them and when we visit we happily use them without complaint. Maybe this report could change our attitude towards Sacagawea and her friends. The coins last longer and could save us $5.5 billion dollars over 30 years. It seems like a longer lasting currency would be better for the environment too. Also, it's hard to graffiti a coin like we do our paper money which seems to be a uniquely American habit, from my experience.
Home(town) Security
Majora Carter: 3 stories of local eco-entrepreneurship
It's been a while since I've shared a TEDTalk, but I'm sure you've been keeping up with them on your own. I wanted to share this one because if you don't know who activist Majora Carter is, you should. To learn more about her visit Green the Ghetto and her radio show at The Promised Land. Her talk (this is actually her second one, I believe) at TEDxMidwest focuses on a growing trend of eco-entrepreneurship. She shares three stories in support of her hypothesis that this trend is one of the essential pillars that will help us rebuild our economy.
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AIDS Walk Orlando
Like what you read here? Consider supporting me and other do-gooders in our endeavors to make the world a bit better. Join the Scottie Saves the World team for our annual walk around Lake Eola to raise money for Hope & Help of Central Florida. If you don't think walking or hanging out with cool people is your bag, then please donate to our team. Each of our team members have committed to raising $100 each, please help them meet that goal. In the face of unreasonable budget cuts, Hope & Help needs your support now more than ever.
