Two things happened to me yesterday. 

ONE: I got caught up for an hour or so, captivated by this conversation on reddit surrounding the homeless man with the golden voice, and in particular the outpouring of public support he’s received in the last 24 hours. Someone ponied up $15,000 in salary money for a radio station to employ him with. The Cleveland Cavaliers offered him a job and a home. Tomorrow he’s being flown for an interview on the Today Show.

TWO: The newest Communication Arts Annual landed on my desk, which contained a thought provoking article by DK Holland titled “Being Human”. In it, she reflects on the human trait of generosity, and describes the circumstances most suitable to triggering it.

Believe it or not, people are fairly altruistic – that is, if they can see the person, the individual.  Studies show that, when given a choice, most people will give more to another person than is needed or requested – even if it’s a stranger.  When the plea is to help thousands in dire need, the individual becomes a statistic, and empathy can become apathy.  We need to see a face.  And preferably touch a hand, hear a voice, smell a person.

…Humans cultivate empathy by making meaningful, quality connections with other living things.  When information is presented in a compelling and creative way in any venue, neurons start firing, emotions ignite the imagination.  Any place where people congregate presents such an opportunity.

It is a general reminder for me to focus less on tools and technology. Though these tools enable great stories to spread like wildfire, they mean nothing in the absence of meaningful messaging. A ship carrying useless cargo.
Our job is to make people care. Don’t be boring.

Related:

Tell me a story.