I'd like to take a bit of a break from tooting my own horn for once and discuss videos in social media. I'm sure everyone has been swept up in the Invisible Children's campaign - Stop Kony - about making the most wanted man in the world known. If you haven't seen the video, it is here:
Personally, I give all the credit to the Invisible Children campaign - I think they did a great job with the video and it did what it was set out to do - get people interested. I mean, it has 71 million views, which I'm sure has brought them some revenue.
However, a lot of information has come to light that compromises the video. I happen to like this video, as it doesn't coerce you into believing his opinion:
I thoroughly believe that people need to make their own opinion on the situation at hand. Invisible Children has achieved their goal of making the project known to a wide audience. They may have some questionable business practices, but that does not mean that their mission to stop Kony will not happen. I think the audience who has seen the video will not only be looking at Invisible Children, but at many other non-profit organizations aiding Uganda and see where they can donate. This video will help the cause in some way.
Something that shocked me is how fast it was spreading - it proves that society as a whole thinks that it is a good cause. On the other hand, it definitely shows how much people are using social media as a tool. It is great for a cause like this, but what if this got into the wrong hands? What happens if the wrong information was portrayed, and it fueled a different kind of event, like a war? Hmm... I wonder if this sounds like the broadcasting we're watching on television, funded by the government in most cases, and showing a one sided opinion of an event?
Make sure you learn the facts and make your own opinion about a cause before you blindly act.
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