I just discovered a pretty interesting internet group called Bloggers Unite.
According to the site, their aim is to “harness the power of the blogosphere to make the world a better place.”

Sounds like a bunch of fuzzy, idealistic fluff…It’s a good thing I’m a sucker for fuzzy, idealistic fluff.

Every couple months they have a new theme with a challenge for the members to participate in and blog about on a specific date. Past themes include the “Organ Donor Awareness Campaign” and “Bloggers Against Abuse.”

The current theme, set for December 17, is called ‘Random Acts of Kindness.” The challenge is simply to perform an act of kindness and blog about it on December 17. You can do anything you want, and some people are getting very creative with this. In a video on the front page, one guy said he’s going to go to a gas station and pay for someone’s gas! That’s gonna take some balls.

I like the fact that they’re encouraging real action. They don’t want you to write about doing something great, they want you to actually go out and do it, and then write about it.

This motivation to act is exactly what we’re lacking in the US right now, where politics has become a new form of entertainment. Everyone is so concerned with having a voice, making sure their opinion is heard, and trying to control everyone else’s actions except their own. We can talk the talk, but let’s start walking the walk.

Another great feature is actually a lack of one. There’s no membership list or anything. You can either participate in the challenges or not. I’m not sure if this was intentional, but it adds authenticity to their message. There’s no badge for people to wear that allows them to feel self important (”Look, I’m a member of this and that charitable organization! Look at me!”)

My only confusion is their list of corporate sponsors on the front page. Unless they’re paying for advertising, I’m not sure what this group needs sponsors for. If you have any ideas, let me know.

I’m definitely participating. This is exactly the kind of large scale positive effect I’d like to create with my blog someday. Kudos to the team behind Bloggers Unite. Check ‘em out!

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