INSPIRING VIDEO

I have posted a video entitled, Why is India So Filthy?, on a separate page. I saw this several months ago and was deeply impressed by the ideas presented in it. The video is part of the famous TED talks series, this one recorded in India itself. The presenter is an Indian social activist who has initiated numerous community improvement projects based on the idea that if people's urban environments are treated with respect, they will come to similarly treat them with respect. The group of activists enters a community where they determine the environment, sidewalks walls green space and so on, has been degraded by inattention and disrespect. They acquire inexpensive resources and use their own time, without salary, to rehabilitate the area.

What strikes the viewer is the highly unusual masking of the presenters face. I believe this is the only time the talks have allowed this, and they do so because it is part of the philosophy of these activists that they complete their interventions with complete anonymity. They prefer to emphasize such nameless faceless engagement as the model for social responsibility. They want to represent that anybody, not just some high profile or individual, can demonstrate care and responsibility in the environment.

It was partly from watching this video that the idea for blue box walking occurred. As with this group, BBW aspires to be the caretaking activity of ordinary, nameless citizens, rather than some organization or government agency.