I am Change

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In the above video, we see a person panhandling with a sign that reads, “I’m blind, please help” Power of Words (2010). We see a few passersby drop some change here and there. Then a woman comes by who creates a shift in perspective by updating the sign to ready “It’s a beautiful day, and I can’t see it,” and suddenly, everyone is dropping change for the gentleman Power of Words (2010). By the end of the video, our level of compassion changes, although nothing about the man’s situation has changed. The fact of a man who is begging on the street stays the same. The fact of a man who is blind remains the same. However, a simple change in presenting the facts resulted in more donations for the gentleman. 

I did find the fact that the video contained minimal dialog impactful. I am not sure about the focus of my video creation as I do not have a clear understanding of the project yet, but I would like my video creation to have a similar impact on the viewer.

I appreciated the point made by this second video when we learned that slamming our viewers/audience with more information is not the way to win them over to our cause. The Behavioral Science Guys propose that instead, we approach our audience with “influential questions” Crucial Learning (2015). They explain that this shift allows the audience to leave a place of defensiveness so that they can approach your topic with more receptivity.

I want to affect the heart of my audience by sharing my heart for people and my desire to make a difference. 

I am currently attempting to wrap my mind around the concept of digital storytelling. However, I hope to incorporate Nancy Duarte’s advice on using rising and falling within the storytelling to draw the audience into my innovation proposal TEDx Talks (2010). I love the way she recommends comparing what is against what could be and the beautiful utopian vision she recommends as the final call to action TEDx Talks (2010). Similarly, I would love to utilize the “angel cocktail” described by David JP Phillips (TEDx Talks, 2017). However, I feel that practice makes perfect, and my first attempt may lack the ability to create a sense of expectation, gain sympathy, and create a sense of amusement TEDx Talks (2017). However, I see the benefit of these disarming and engaging techniques. I especially connected with Tom Asacker’s identity point as this is what has driven me to this program, my innovation proposal, and ultimately my profession TEDx Talks (2014). 

My video will attempt to create a sense of urgency by appealing to my audience’s heart instead of their head. 

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References

Crucial Learning. (2015, January 5). How to Change People Who Don’t Want to Change | The Behavioral Science Guys [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ACi-D5DI6A

Power of Words. (2010, February 20). The Power of Words [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

TEDx Talks. (2010, December 10). TEDxEast – Nancy Duarte uncovers common structure of greatest communicators 11/11/2010 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nYFpuc2Umk&t=594s

TEDx Talks. (2014, June 30). Why TED Talks don’t change people’s behaviors: Tom Asacker at TEDxCambridge 2014 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0jTZ-GP0N4&t=1s

TEDx Talks. (2017, March 16). The magical science of storytelling | David JP Phillips | TEDxStockholm [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj-hdQMa3uA&t=862s