Looking up at the red moon eclipse this weekend, I couldn't help but feel that we are on the verge of a much needed rebalancing in our society. At our film studio we are looking at that need for rebalance in terms of three overlapping topics:
- Character: Everything going on today underscores the importance of cultivating our character -- qualities like courage, empathy, honesty, and social intelligence.
- Gender: We're finally starting to have more women and diversity in leadership roles -from politics to boardrooms - but we have a long way to go to 50/50.
- Technology: We're seeing how much “free” isn’t really free and that having our faces glued to screens 24/7 isn’t good for anyone’s health, relationships or government.
These topics are the foundation of our plans for 2019.
NEW BOOK
I'm excited to share that I just finished writing a book (I've been writing very early in the mornings for the last year), and Simon & Schuster is publishing it this fall. The book explores the relationship between technology, humanity and character all through the lens of my family's journey of practicing what we call our "Technology Shabbats (turning off all screens for 24 hours) every week for nearly a decade. I explore the benefits, science, philosophy and history behind the ritual as well as ideas for the future. I'll share title, imprint and publication date soon.
CHARACTER DAY DATE & FUNDING
The date we're looking at is Friday, Sept 13th. We always consider many different factors when picking a date, so please let us know if this conflicts with something going on in your world.
As a non-profit, all of our plans are contigent on funding, so please write to sawyer@letitripple.org if you want to give individially or as a foundation. Donations and support from visionary foundations allow us to offer our films and global days for free.
SUNDANCE:
Sundance Film Festival invited me to speak next week for New Frontiers about the future of technology and humanity. I'll be in a fireside chat with author Douglas Rushkoff (new book Team Human) and filmmaker Jehane Noujaim (The Great Hack, The Square). Tuesday, January 29 at The Ray Theater. All info here
The film I directed last summer The Unstoppable Manifesto will also be playing at the Planned Parenthood party at Sundance.
CELLPHONES & KIDS
Lastly, I joined the Advisory Board for Wait Until 8th, which encourages parents to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. I highly recommend parents around the country checking out this website and signing this pledge. There is so much peer pressure (for both kids and for parents) to get smartphones too young. It’s time to push back. There are a lot of other options and simpler phones you can get until the kids are older and ready. Find out more and sign the Wait Until 8th Pledge here.
To getting to a more balanced world.
Tiffany Shlain The Let It Ripple Film Studio 501c3