It's an age-old social problem, but we have gotten so much smarter about bullying – both the problem and the solutions – since media became so very social. Not only do we now know that the age-old "schoolyard bully" is a stereotype, we know it's not the only one people all over the world entertain. There's more than one stereotype of bullying and more than one kind. But there's something else we … [Read more...] about 2 kinds of bullying, 2 kinds of empathy: Research
empathy
VR as empathy teaching tool: What to love, what to watch out for
Just from watching Engadget's 6 min. video report about it I could tell "The Last Goodbye" – a 16 min. virtual reality experience that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival that just wrapped in New York – will have a profound impact on anyone who experiences it. The reporter called it "emotionally harrowing." So there are really two central roles in this VR experience: that of Holocaust … [Read more...] about VR as empathy teaching tool: What to love, what to watch out for
Monica Lewinsky’s talk going viral: A sign
At some point yesterday, shortly after TED posted it, Monica Lewinsky's 2015 TED Talk had about 198,000 views. One day later, as of this writing, it had gotten 644,394. I believe the reason for this is not just because we're encouraged ourselves when someone has the courage to turn horrific public humiliation into social change. It's also because of the timing of Lewinsky's talk. "There are two … [Read more...] about Monica Lewinsky’s talk going viral: A sign
Kindness really could be going viral! Just look…
The use of kindness as a conscious, very effective grassroots solution to bullying is picking up steam. Where youth are concerned, sometimes the kindness is purely their idea, such as the kind intervention of two high school upperclassmen that sparked Canada's Pink Shirt Day and students' anti-bullying countermeasures in Iowa in 2012. Other times the impetus comes from teachers and school … [Read more...] about Kindness really could be going viral! Just look…
Heart to heart: How connection protects & grows resilience
Back in 2008, I wrote about evidence that social networks – our social circles, as experienced online or offline – are a source of health and safety. They're also protective in the way that fellow family and community members have each other's backs. And the evidence is growing that meaningful social connections increase safety and well-being. Here's more evidence of how connecting with others … [Read more...] about Heart to heart: How connection protects & grows resilience