My Mom’s husband posted the “Story of Stuff” video to his Facebook wall. I mention this because he isn’t a very active Facebooker, so if he “shares” something on the social network, it must be making the viral rounds. I wanted to discuss it here for a number of reasons.
1. The next topic for the January 21 brown-bag lunch of Public Policy Communicators NYC is “using low-cost multi-media to maximal effect” and this seems like a great example. I don’t know how expensive the animation is, but the video is basically a short lecture presented in an especially engaging way.
2. While the message is delivered in somewhat pedantic terms, it is nonetheless concise and compelling. The video summarizes the core messages of a book that further substantiates the message and a larger website with lots more information on the topic.
3. I think it is worth wondering, however, if 20 minutes is too long for such a piece. I watched the whole thing through because I was interested in commenting on this here. But normally I would not take the time to watch an entire 20 minute video on my computer.
I am interested in hearing what others think of this video, both in terms of the content and the utility of the medium. I look forward to your comments here or when we meet on January 21.
About Michael Hamill Remaley
Michael Hamill Remaley is the President of Hamill Remaley Communications. Previously, he was Director of Communications at the Russell Sage Foundation and Prior to that was Vice President and Director of Communications at Public Agenda. He has held a variety of positions at organizations such as The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, TCC Group and the Center for Social Policy and Community Development.
Here’s also an good interview with the creator of the video in USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/03/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-stuff-and-more-stuff/1