Technology is very much a part of our everyday lives. If you are reading this article, you are doing so via the Internet. Facebook has half a billion users, and I know I personally can’t function without my cell phone. How does this affect us in our social ventures? How many of your Facebook, MySpace or Twitter “friends” have you met in person and actually consider to be a friend in life? How does lack of human connection affect us?
Film-maker Katherine Brooks (“Loving Annabelle,” “Waking Madison”) raises these questions and is taking it one step further. Brooks posted a status update on Facebook stating that the first 50 people to respond would get to be a part of her next project. That project is taking her across the United States. She is going to spend a day with the 50 random folks who responded to the post. I happen to be one of the lucky individuals.
So what will we be discussing and documenting exactly? Anything and everything, with a few exceptions. Brooks has politely told us that although we get to take her wherever we want, sex is not an option, nor is asking her to eat meat.
I am super excited not only because I am a part of this adventure, but because I think that it’s going to be interesting to see what everyone does during their time with Brooks, and it is always fascinating to hear different opinions on different subjects, especially when it’s not taking place in a hostile environment and an actual discussion is taking place.
Brooks has started a Kickstarter page to raise money for the project. The goal is $50,000 by May 5 and more than 200 people have pledged money so far. It’s really amazing to see the power that Facebook and Twitter have — which is ironic considering the basis for the film. Now if only she could get Mark Zuckerberg involved.
This project is evolving rapidly and on an exponential level. Brooks will be keeping us all up to date via the film’s official website, the film’s Twitter page and also from her Facebook page, naturally. Check it out, I think this is something to which we can all relate.
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Sounds incredibly interesting and also true. Although I dont “friend” people on facebook that I dont know, I have probably met about 90% of them, but we as a society are disconnected from one another, thanks in part to rapidly evolving technology.
Jessika,
That was so cool of you to post this about my project. I think this is an important exploration and I’m glad you will be a part of the journey.
xo
Katherine