I have not blogged for months on end, partly because I had not come across a message that was something that needed to be shared, until now.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kony2012/kony-4.html
I woke up today 7th March 2012 at 11:14am to find social media sites going crazy over a video named “KONY2012”. The viral sensation had an image of the world in the background and issued on statues as “inspirational”, “clever” and “powerful”.
What video could have such an impact that even my 15 year old neighbour had to post?
“NOTHING IS MORE POWERFUL THAN AN IDEA, WHOSE TIME HAS COME. WHOSE TIME IS NOW.”
And let’s be fair, that statement has never been more true. This video started with an idea, an idea so little that no 15 year old girl knew about, no student thought about it whilst sat in the pub, and no middle-aged man thought about it whilst he was in his office. Yet, overnight the social media world has come to life, and everybody is becoming aware.
It is true, as the video states, Facebook is powerful, and many people underestimate it. The video cleverly shows the power of social media. How many people have spread this video online today? Millions. How do we know? Check your Facebook timeline, check the trends on Twitter. Social media has the power to spread this message in an instant. Who read about KONY2012 in today’s paper? I’d be very surprised if you did. The way in which we communicate is ever changing, and so many people are oblivious to it.
I was so interested in this video, alongside with its powerful message, it is so cleverly executed that it was able to pull on the audiences emotions, and make people wanted to make a change. 99% of the world knew nothing about Kony and his army. I mean everyone might have had an idea; the film “Blood Diamond” created in 2006 may have given some people a slight inside to what life could be like. But how many people watched that film and thought child soldiers were used now? How many thought that’s awful, let’s try and make a change?
By giving this campaign an expiry date it makes people inclined to help. It ensures they do everything in their power to quickly sign up, try and donate and spread the message. But how long can this video alone last? News gets so old so fast, so this campaign needs more than a week on Twitter, more than a “like” on Facebook and its forgotten, and more than one watch on YouTube on the day you heard about it. It is important it is followed and supported till December 31st 2012. So how are you going to help?
