Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a genius, I think. He’s the guy who does those amazing Earth from Above pictures, and now he’s created a project called ‘6 billion others’, as in, there are 6 billion other people on the planet besides you. Obvious, yes, but surprisingly easy to forget in day to day life. Personally I don’t think he could have chosen a better time to do it. People seem to be drifting further and further apart in terms of kinship and consideration of and for others. Maybe every generation would say this, but sometimes I feel as if everywhere I look there is anger and hatred and intolerance, from the horrific stabbings and shootings that seem to be plaguing the UK recently to people not even managing to meet each others’ eyes in shops. I know that I’m as grumpy and unfriendly as the next person at times, but I also try to remember to smile and say hello and be friendly. Imagine if everyone did this – such a small thing but it makes such a difference at the supermarket checkout.
Anyway, I digress. So I stumbled across this site www.6billionothers.org, and all it is is thousands of interviews (6000 in fact), asking the same questions to people in 65 countries from all walks of life. Each interviewee has been asked questions like ‘What does family mean for you?’, ‘What did your parents teach you?, and ‘Do you feel free?’, and when you watch the videos, you can’t help but compare and contrast their responses with your own life. Once I started watching, I found I couldn’t stop; it’s truly fascinating, and hugely humbling, to hear what other people all over the world think and feel about the things that matter. I think everyone should watch 6billionothers, if only for the inevitable perspective it gives on our own comparatively privileged lifestyles. It’s so easy to complain about the little things and forget what matters. I certainly need reminding from time to time. As Arthus-Bertrand puts it, ‘Every single person has got something interesting to say.’ We really should listen.
(If you happen to be in Paris between 16th Jan and 12th Feb 2009, you can see these testimonials at the Grand Palais. Considering the impact watching them on my laptop screen has, I imagine on the big screen they must be extremely powerful.)
