Pause for Random Acts of Social Media Kindness
An acquaintance from university just changed her facebook relationship status. Moments later, I get a text from a friend asking if I’ve heard the news. Bottom line: in the world of social media, news travels fast. It’s become a way for us to be in the know about other people’s lives without necessarily being invested in them. However, the delivery speed of these messages and their reach is something to think about.
We’ve all heard the old saying to pay it forward, but now social media is turning it up a notch and encouraging users to pay it backward. The newest social media campaign for a cause that caught my eye is Pay it Backward Day that will be held in Toronto on April 4th. The event, ran by Daily Challenge and sponsored by Second Cup, will consist of people purchasing a drink for the person behind them in line without necessarily knowing them. Partnered with Sick Kids Foundation, this simple act can simultaneously spread kindness and help a good cause. The event also hopes to break the world record of 490 ‘pay it backward’ participants. Knowing that rumours can spread one click at a time, this tells us that social goodness can spread the very same way.
What Made Me Pause?
Ironically, the fast-paced world of technology has made me stop and reflect on how social media can promote kindness on a macro level. A simple act like having a stranger open the door can sweep a smile across your face and change your spirits. If these types of acts can be multiplied through facebook or twitter, can this translate to a more caring society? Even if campaigns like Pay it Backward reach 10 more people through social media, that’s 10 more acts of kindness that are out there which may inspire another 10 people, causing a domino effect with the potential to reach thousands.
If we take the power that lies within information sharing we can inspire a kindness revolution. I encourage everyone to stop and think not only at trivial facebook updates but at do-good campaigns that can really make a difference.
Melissa
March 25, 2009 at 8:15 am
Such a great idea. I love it.
—- a ‘kindness revolution’ indeed!
March 25, 2009 at 11:46 am
Since no one is bringing this up, the event clearly has a disregard for coffee farmers. Pay it Backwards seems like it is an act of kindness, but it is the exact opposit. Supporting big chain coffee retailers the event ignores the impact of individuals buying coffee on the people who grow coffee. For every cup of coffee we buy we are the reason behind those starving kids in world vision ads in Ethiopia.
We should do a real act of kindness and force Second Cup to serve a fairly traded coffee on that day. But what concerns me more is the organizers of the event didn’t even think of that. How can they be a moral guide for any of us when they don’t understand the severe moral implications of their own event.
March 25, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Hi Vincent,
Thank you for your comment. You make a very interesting point regarding the exploitation of farmers. I’ve just perused the Second Cup website and have been unable to find out if they even serve fair trade coffee.(If in fact they do, this is poorly communicated via their website) Do you know if they do? If so, you could take things into your own hands and purchase only their fair trade selection and still participate in an act of kindness for the day.
However, the point of the post (while I now see may have been contradictory) is that social media can be used to promote good causes and acts of kindness.
You’ve definitely made me take another pause though – so thank you!
March 25, 2009 at 2:05 pm
If I didn’t believe in social media promoting acts of kindness, I probably wouldn’t have posted.
An act of kindness would be to go to a fair trade coffee shop and buy a cup for someone in line. Which I really do plan on doing. Just not at Second Cup.
one cup of coffee may make a westerner smile, but it is killing people elsewhere. So I choose to make someone smile, while making a market for fair trade coffee.
Why has no one even brought this whole issue up?