you dream, I dream, together we dream

In 2011 while trekking through the Himalayas of Nepal with my friend Steph Reynard, we met Jeff. Actually first we met incredible flags describing children's dreams on them around a local school at nearly 4000m altitude. And it won our hearts.

We interviewed Jeff back then and he won our hearts too and since, life on the road has enabled me to become a more practical supporter of the project and put more energy in to what I feel is one of the great examples of how we can all contribute to a better world for our children.

I feel very grateful for Jeff's friendship and humbled to know someone so committed to creating a platform that empowers children to dream a better world for themselves, to walk the path of their hearts truth and enable Schools to help prepare students to be part of a world they WANT to be part of.

I am a big fan and hence, would like to share a short exchange I had with Jeff on the project and its expansion in to the digital realm (with this Kickstarter campaign), enabling a shared dream, bringing dreamers together in an increasingly digital world.

What is the Dream Flag Project?

The Dream Flag Project is an invitation for students to reach into their hearts, to find what Langston Huges calls their "heart melody," to write about it, often in poetry, to put that on a standard sized piece of fabric, make it sing with color, attach it to a line with others, and share it with the world.
That's the simplicity of the project and the reason it's travelled so far and so deeply--around the world, into innner cities, into remote villages, all over. But at a deeper level, The Dream Flag Project is a path for bringing dreams back into the classroom for a better world.

What does that mean?

It means that when you look at the way education used to work, at least in America and much of the world, "the dream" was to do well in school, get the opportunties that afforded, and "do better" than your parents--to have a material life that's fuller and materially easier. It may or may not have ever been true, but it was a motivating dream for many. And it doesn't work anymore. Students do well in school, go to college, and can't find jobs. They have fewer opportunities than their parents, not more.
The old system was built on a model of continuous growth, a stockmarket that always increases in value. Greater GDP every year. Continuous economic expansion. And, as Jane Goodall tries to point out to everyone who will listen, that doesn't work in an ecosystem. It's a recipe for disaster--a recipie for death.

And The Dream Flag Project? Making stuff out of fabric and hanging it? Where does that fit in?

The Dream Flag Project brings a different kind of dream back into the classroom. It brings a "we dream." It's fundamentally a group experience. Students, inspired by the poems of Langston Hughes or whatever else their teachers provide, are invited to articulate their dreams. Some are simple--like having a chicken on a Dream Flag from a village in Madagascar.  Some are poignant -like the wish for a cure for Alzheimer's from a student I taught this year who lost her grandpa to that disease. Many are global, like the a Dream Flag from a village in western Russia about hoping that people will be kind everywhere or for an end to wars. But all are linked to a line, done in a group, and connected to each other. As in powerful poetry, it's the metaphor of the project that carries the impact. Connecting to others. Knowing you're not alone in your dream.
As it says on our Kickstarter site, "Schools should help prepare students to be part of a world the WANT to be part of. The Dream Flag Project already helps students to imagine that world. DreamLine will help them make it their reality."

How?

Through network and connection, the greatest single benefit we have from the sytem of technology that's part of all of our lives. Connection to others who share a dream, brings strengh and potential for real change. So it's a very open forum. And it's in schools, not outside of schools. That means it's safe for children. The teachers are in charge of making it a safe space through moderated exchange.

What will happen if we create this global network of teachers and students around the world who share dreams?

We don't know. And that's a great thing. Starting The Dream Flag Project, we just invited teachers to have their students take part in a simple process of Dream, Create, Connect, and Share. It's an open framework that's been taken in so many directions, places, and extensions, we never could have anticipated them. In today's educational world, everyone wants to know about outcomes. Like children are being processed and we can predict what we'll turn them into. Like any organic growth process, the outcomes are not completely predictable. We're not machines. Yay! But the growth that comes from connections has tremendous potential to instigate positive change.

It's very simple really. When you look at hundreds and hundreds of Dream Flags, or thousands and thousands, not one, not a single one, zero--say they dream of wiping out all of the so-and-so's or beating everyone in a war. They're about health, about safety, about prosperity. And they're about peace and fairness and harmony. When you create a global way to help children see those goals as tenable, and when they have a structure that supports small actions toward them, who knows what will happen.

So we want to bring dreams BACK into the classroom--but for a better world, for a we-dream.

Please pledge your support for DreamLine here.

save the world with design & politics

“I believe that utopia is actually possible - but we’re led by the least noble, the least dignified,
the least tasteful, the dumbest, and the most political”

I wonder if man has lost his way, been poorly conditioned and programmed stepping too far in to the lands of fear, greed and destruction from what was abundance, love and care. Its sad how this thinking has created a world where even the human species can envisage its own demise and the separation between people is a catalyst for violence and pain.

"I really do believe that the world can be saved through design, and everything needs to actually be architected," proclaimed Kanye West to Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, a statement that has since garnered widespread criticism from the world design community. But ah bless, he stood on a table and everything. While Oxfam's Design for Change had to swallow their pride by allowing a celebrity to endorse their vision, there's so much truth embedded in this.

Ask yourself what could you DO for change?

As someone with a strong kinship with dearly beloved Polar Bears and ever being reminded of the devastating affects that Global Warming is having on the world, especially the Arctic, I hope that people will wake up in time to do whatever it is within their power to address this issue. That people with power will step up and commit their lives to something greater than themselves.

According to the influential AVAAZ online campaign community, we can stop this eventual decline of our planet, if we act fast and all together to step out of this extinction nightmare. We can pull off one of the most inspiring futures for our children and grandchildren; A clean, green future in balance with the earth that gave birth to us.

"There's 24 months until the Paris Summit, the meeting that world leaders have decided will determine the fate of our efforts to fight climate change. It might seem like a long time - it's not. We have 24 months to get the right leaders in power, get them to that meeting, give them a plan, and hold them accountable. And it's us vs. the oil companies, and fatalism. We can win, we must, but we need to blast out of the starting gate with pledges of just a few dollars/euros/pounds per week until the summit - we'll only process the donations if we hit our goal. For the world we dream of, let's make it happen."

According to Avaaz Scientist Julienne Stroeve has studied Arctic ice for decades. Every summer she travels north to measure how much ice has melted. She knows that climate change is melting the ice fast, but a recent trip surprised even her. Vast areas of Arctic ice have disappeared, beyond our worst expectations.

Fatalism on climate change is not just futile, it's also incompetent. The hour is late, but it is still absolutely within our power to stop this catastrophe, simply by shifting our economies from oil and coal to other sources of power. And doing so will bring the world together like never before, in a deep commitment and cooperation to protect our planetary home. It's a beautiful possibility, and the kind of future Avaaz was born to create. Facing this challenge will take heart, and hope, and also all the smarts we have.

Here's their game plan: 

1. Go Political: Elect Climate Leaders - 3 crucial countries have elections in the next year. Avaz wants to make sure the right people win, and with the right mandate. Avaaz is one of the only major global advocacy organisations that can be political. And since this fight will be won or lost politically, it could be at some points just us vs. the oil companies to decide who our politicians listen to.
2. Make Hollande a Hero - French President Francois Hollande will chair the Paris summit - a powerful position. The community will try every tactic and channel - his personal friends and family, his political constituency, his policy advisors - to make him the hero we need him to be to make the summit a success. Smart move.
3. Take it to the Next Level - The scale of this crisis demands action that goes beyond regular campaigning. It's time for powerful, direct, non-violent action, to capture imagination, convey moral urgency, and inspire people to act. Think Occupy. 

4. Out the Spoilers - Billionaires like the Koch brothers and their oil companies are the major spoilers in climate change - funding junk science to confuse us and spending millions on misleading PR, while buying politicians wholesale. With investigative journalism and more, we need to expose and counter their horrifically irresponsible actions.
5. Define the Deal - Even in the face of planetary catastrophe, 195 governments in a room can be just incompetent. We need to invest in top quality policy advice to develop ingenious strategies, mechanisms, and careful compromises so that when the summit arrives, a critical mass of leaders are already bought in to a large part of the deal, and no one can claim that good solutions don't exist.

If you wish to contribute to Avaaz's pretty impressive "Change the Game" plan and save polar bears much to my inner child's delight - please pledge your support here. 

Personally, I find this a great incentive to focus my energy on a children's book I've been working on (most my life) titled "Snowflake the Last Lost Polar Bear" in the hope that perhaps it might also encourage parents and children to care more for the environment and consider the impact their choices and actions are having on the rest of the world.

anything is possible

A great great man passed away yesterday and yet his spirit, his legacy, will continue to live on. A wonderful tribute to a man who changed the game, who persevered, who endured, who lived a life of grace and let go of bitterness. What a beautifully remarkable soul. May his life continue to inspire and enlighten us to a more inclusive, loving and respectful global community; empowered to challenge the status quo and move us forward out of conflict in to care, acceptance and a more nurtured world.

Its wonderful to be reminded that one can make a difference. That we don't always need to rely on a government to make the change for us, that people can move mountains when they have faith in humanity and such a powerful love in their heart. What a man.

Rest in peace Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. 

is it time to shake up australian politics?

Recently, an old pal of mine, Jessica Miller, an inspiring lady I know from my days in Sydney, put herself forward to grill some of the political big wigs in Australian politics through MTV Movement. I asked her to send me some thoughts on Australian policy and on what needs shaking up.

It’s very bloody easy to be angry, sad and bored by mainstream Australian politics. For the most part it trivialises people, favours the powerful and is snide and bitchy.

So maybe it’s time to shake it up a little?

According to the Australian Electoral Commission 65% of the people who voted in the last Australian Federal election were aged 40+, upon posting this stat to my Facebook wall recently, a good friend with a great track record in environmental activism replied “Well, I guess that was a big ‘fuck you’ to future generations wasn’t it’”.

I guess, kind of. The last election also had lowest voter turnout in Australian political history unsurprisingly (even though voting is compulsory in Australia) those choosing not to vote were young.

So are the kids over it?

I’m not Antony Green, but in it’s current format, I would say yes. And if the cage-rattlin’ Russel Brand v Jeremy Paxon seen by more than 8 million people on YouTube, is anything to go by – there seems to be some pretty good reasons for this.

Here are some that I’ve been thinking about:

WTF is actually going on?

I have a political science degree and a lot of the time I have no idea what is actually going on. Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention in University (was hung over or exhausted from working till 2am at a bar to pay for the privilege of being there), but when I try to follow what is going on in Australian politics, it sometimes seems like the only options I have to learn about it are in sound bites, whose bum is big, really long columns, ‘polly raunch’ Daily Tele headlines or press gallery ‘in-club’ tweets.

There doesn’t really seem to be anyone who can do a good job of explaining what ‘the game’ is. Like where in the rule book does it allow the Palmer United party to get those Senate Seats? What are the preferential voting ‘deals’ about – are they even democratic? How come lobbyists with lots of money can access politicians and I can’t? And how much do they actually get paid as a ‘pension’? Why is it ok for them to then go and lobby for special interests, when ten minutes ago they were supposed to be lobbying for and representing ‘the people’?

It just seems that ‘the game’ of politics is something that can only be played by people who have law degrees, ‘hook-ups’ the right family or a tonne of money. And that seems a bit rough.

It doesn’t really feel like it’s for me.

Russell Brand was right. You know when you walk into a political room, because you feel like you don’t belong there. I am less intimidated by sparring a 100kg man, five rounds, full-contact Muay Thai with no headgear than trying to talk to a politician or physically being a place like Parliament House.

I doubt very much whether this is done on purpose, but if I as an educated, anglo, English-speaking white woman feels incredibly uncomfortable in a political institution, imagine what it must feel like for someone whose first language isn’t English, who hasn’t had the luxury of education, has troubles speaking, or who can’t afford shiny clothes and nice teeth?

The legacy hundreds of years of  ‘democracy’ is that it remains the domain of a very select and elite few. Given that the very vast majority can now participate remotely and directly with political decision-making, maybe its time for a radical rethink of what political culture, education and direct participation can be?

Are you lot actually even qualified to do this?

I was speaking to this very clever, important, (rich, handsome) responsible guy the other day and he said that when he interviews someone for a job he asks them to ‘So you say you’re good at [say cleaning], so tell me about a time you actually did that?’ – good move eh?

Because it’s all well and good for people to talk about how great they are but really, if your fridge is broken and you need it fixed, you're not going to get someone who writes about fridges, or who just so happens to have pulled a chicken out of the freezer a few times to fix it are you?

No, because that would be stupid.

So why then are the people who are responsible for making very big decisions and try to ‘fix’ big-arsed problems that really do impact upon peoples general happiness and well-being in an infinite way, are not the people who actually have real experience and genuine expertise in fixing a certain problem being the ones responsible to fix it?

For fear of write-waffle, my point is that for leadership and governance to be truly effective, representative and good at solving complex problems, you need a whole range of people involved and contributing – not just lawyers (of which 52% of Cabinet are versus 1% of the population), people who were privileged enough to go to private school (of whom 78% of Cabinet did versus only 35% of the population), and men (which make up 95% of the cabinet versus 49.4 of the broader population).

For creative problems solvers who are good at fixing things to do this at a national level means re-imagining the whole culture and seemingly pedigree-bred lines of getting into these positions.

So it is  really easy to be cynical, sceptical and pessimistic about the fact that young people or even just interesting and diverse people think that politics is a waste of time.

Or, we can all just get on with it.

The sad thing about big old antiquated institutions is that they seem to sometimes intimidate people into thinking that there is only one type of power, and if you don’t have it then you can’t change anything. Or you think its up to someone else to fix.

I think this is incredibly untrue, especially among young people.

Disillusioned by the whole shemozzle, everywhere you look people, and particularly young people, are really just getting on with it. They’re doing it in business, the arts, via social enterprises, in communications and marketing – they are shaking the shit out of it! The miserable thing about this is that many of them have to leave Australia to do it, instead they go to New York, London, Europe, Africa, Japan – places where there isn’t this stifling sense of ‘no!’. It sucks that all of my smart friends all now live in New York.

Moreover, last year Gen Y contributed 16 million hours of time volunteering each month, 192 million hours to charity – this is worth $3.1 billion dollars per year. So shove that down your ‘Gen Ys are so self-centred and lazy’ stereotype-pipe and choke on it.

So given that the real fixers of problems, creators of solutions and givers of time are actually not part of the formal political club, maybe we should just ignore the club and instead focus on doing things ourselves, joining others who inspire us, and support what they’re doing?

I’ll leave you with this idea:

Imagine for a minute that we all collectively decided not to pay our tax to the government but instead throw it behind someone we know personally who is doing great things in our community?

The idea is fraught obviously, but give it a little space to breath and I think you’ll find the imaginings quite delicious.

If you like the idea of shaking up Australian politics a little, Vote for Jess Miller in the MTV Movement here (now do it!) share and tweet about it using the #shakeitmiller & #mtvmovement hashtags @jem1ller

surviving a 'grown up' gap year(s)

I love it when I explain to people that I am travelling around the world and they respond "Oh have you just finished Uni?" Urm... nope. I'm 28 now complete with wrinkles. I was however the 'over-achiever' who believed all the lies and chased her way from Law degree to London Stock Exchange to Sydney advertising world and worked insanely hard with lots of determination to succeed. Ambitious little number I was but one that lost sight of her dreams.

That said I needed to work; I had a ridiculous amount of student debt to tackle and a ruthless determination not to depend on my parents for financial support after University. So my gap year was belated and aptly timed with my quarter-life crisis that involved breaking up with an amazing boyfriend and best-friend, leaving my wonderful mates, the beach view apartment and quitting my career in time to miss the award ceremonies whilst obsessively taking up Bikram yoga and herbal tea wondering what the hell I truly wanted in this life (thanks to friends for showing up at this time). I remember sitting down with my boss and mentor Andrew Wynne, after being at the company for a mere 9 months, explaining 'I have to go' as being one of the scariest things I'd ever done in my career. Incredibly and much to my surprise he said 'we'll have you back when you're done Jess'.

My 'gap year' has been more of a giant poop-my-pants leap year. And actually not really a gap year at all as it nears plural status. However, I can say that at 26 years old, my decision to leave pretty much everything to go on a journey of self-discovery and adventure until I 'run out of money' has been the best possible gift to myself. Incredibly frightful nevertheless especially as I initially allowed my inner child to take the reins. A bad-ass tomboy who likes extreme sports, rolling in nature, doing crazy things like getting lost up mountains, hanging out with rebels and inevitably one that had to relive a sense of self-abandonment. Strength in adversity proved true.

Being the change I wanted to see in the mountains

Nevertheless, self-psychosis aside, one thing I have realised is the limited ideas we can have when it comes to money. This question comes up a lot with people; "how do you afford it?". Well simply put: I give but not with money in mind. More for fun actually. It feels good to give doesn't it? And giving is more than money, its life's most valuable asset; time and effort.

By living in the giving and being detached from what comes back; This is how I feel I've walked into abundance. Of course money is practical, and a means of survival in this material world, but it is not the only thing we can offer in exchange for a positive experience in life. In fact, just being awesomely true to oneself and others has its benefits; people actually enjoy your company for one thing! And working from the heart on projects gives a natural high (look how much I am buzzing in this pic!) and genuinely giving a damn about the world in a hands-on way can reward in ways that transcend the illusion of 'give to get'.

I remember locals asking me whether I got paid to collect garbage (read my little PR rant here) and were somewhat confused when I said no, I do it for love (and garbage on the path kinda pisses off this British earth mother). And for me, obviously, it really isn't about making money - that's what I did to afford the journey in the first place and I'm committed to keep traveling until it runs out so I may as well make myself useful. Miraculously, it seems to stretch the less I worry about it and the more humbly I live. Importantly I've also learned to accept the kindness of others; which is difficult when pride kicks-in. I'd say the biggest miracle had to be when my tax accountant emailed me to say that I didn't have to pay him his fees and for me to see it as a contribution to my travels. When your tax accountant says that - you get busy!

If you are blessed enough to live within the top 5% of the world's richest (if you're reading this, that is likely to include you) then I hope this message resonates on some level. Some of the most inspiring people I have met were happy to trade their services or just happy to give in anyway they could. In fact the lovely circulation of seasonal clothing in the backpacker community is really awesome as is couch-surfing and that doesn't go to mention my surrogate family in Parvati family who were so humble that my heart is still broken.

I have also realised that real friends are the ones that want to see you shine. And I hope in a way I can make that happen for 'my crew'. I've loved being a photographer on adventures, making videos, offering strategic communications advice or just showing up when my intrepid soul brothers and sisters could do with a chat, cuddle, bed or a cook up.

You see something I have learned is true appreciation for life before anything else. The mere opportunity to be alive is pretty awesome not to mention to be born in a developed nation. Then I could go in to the things I am super grateful for: my family, friends and also importantly; me. I have truly proven to myself that I can grab life by the balls on my own. Eeeeek! Well ‘alone’ is really figuratively speaking as ‘no man is an island’ however, I have to remind myself that all I am left with is a bit of courage when things don't go to plan, I get seriously sick or my heart gets broken.

My surrogate family in remote Himalayas

And living a remarkable life does take the courage to face a lot of fears while learning to endure discomfort whether its cockroaches, an armpit of an Indian man on a local train, getting my backside pinched on a tourist bus, falling childishly in love with someone who doesn’t love me the same way, singing to an audience, racing boats in regattas, crossing the Atlantic as a chef(!) or presenting an online TV show. Yup. I actually experienced those things. All instances where I have had a daemon on my shoulder telling me some stupid story to take my power away as I faced some darker emotions that people don't see in the highlights reel: loneliness, vulnerability and shame.

Like kryptonite to Superman's soul the toxic self-talk and uncomfortable situations did nothing less than drag me down and yet challenge me once again to keep going when all I wanted was to hide away somewhere or 'fly home to Mum'. And no word of a lie, while I love a challenge there comes a point where peaceful surrender becomes the best resort to the battle. To embrace Lennon and let it be. To rise to the challenge with faith that whatever will be will be and work really bloody hard at ensuring that each day is still fully lived and each lesson is learned. That I show up to life despite its 'moments' and keep being positive because there's always something to smile about.


Traveling alone can be hard as hell. I’ve missed my family, my friends, my home comforts, my mind at times and I’ve even missed having a man to share those romantic moments with. However I know I have given myself space and time to get to know Jess, I've made some wonderful friends and learned to take full responsibility for 'me and my story'.

There are times when I really just want to find a base and hide away in a cave of comforts, a nice wardrobe, some pretty jewellery, a network of stable friends on my doorstep, have my family on call, my own kitchen(!), the routine and security of a 9-5 job but then I remind myself I have lived that life and will have the rest of my life to live it again one day.  So I'm keeping the dream alive while the Universe invites me to and working very hard to share as much kindness on the way while preserving my sanity i.e. knowing when to walk away. That to me is a much more powerful currency than money and a powerful thing to trust in through personal experience. Sadly an intellectual understanding of karma, philosophy and wise idioms didn't cut it for me… I had to learn it myself through some raw experiences.

So that's how I've survived my relentlessly changing and challenging world. The non-stop scenery and costume change of these last 22 months. I hope my sentiments aren't too self-indulgent. Perhaps they are. I have to write my ramblings somewhere and crazily people read my drivel (thanks if you made it this far).

But perhaps these words might even inspire someone to take life by the balls too, to follow their heart, live and give a little if not A LOT without being afraid of scarcity. 

G'waaaaan, what's the worst thing that can happen? 

It's not like we're getting out alive.

“Indeed our hearts are golden treasures, but a true tragedy would be to conceal your inner gold because you are afraid of someone stealing it or it falling and breaking. There is no love in fear. The great wisdom of the ages always tells us the more we Love the more of it you receive. Love is not a giving or a taking, it is a state of being – a one way street of allowing, accepting and holding a space for all things to be exactly as they are. 

Fear not that your heart will be broken or stolen. Love becomes love. Give it away with no expectation of return and soon you will be having a love affair with the whole world!” - Jackson Kiddard, author & polymath.

loving my inner superhero

One of the highlights to my Summer in the UK so far has been volunteering for Super Cape-Abilities with some very special friends who I have known since Uni days. Two years ago I posted about my dear friend Fern Trefla who was made redundant from one of the world's best advertising agencies; Wieden + Kennedy and instead of allowing herself to fall in to the trappings of confusion, abandonment and frustration, decided to be positive and see the opportunity the universe was presenting her with. I am pretty proud to now be posting about her latest initiative; creating superheroes, one cape at a time through the lens of yoga and activity of supercharged play.

Ready.

I certainly have some extraordinary friends and continue to meet extraordinary people which really gives me hope and optimism in a world that is going through some pretty dark times right now. And as the world faces its collective shadow(s), where people are realising the boxes they've put themselves in and breaking through some painful barriers; the superheroes start to appear dressed in their capes and ready to be a light for humanity.

Last weekend Super Cape-Abilities went to Standon Calling Festival with a suitcase of capes and boxes of crafts ready to play. The time had come to teach some children (young and old evidently) how to be a real superhero. I had the privilege to strut around with a Boom Box every morning playing reggae and recruiting families to the Super-Hero Academy Workshops taking place at the Super Cape-Abilities Tent.

There were breathing exercises. A dash of yoga "bums in the air Superheroes!" a bit of Superhero philosophy "with great power comes great responsibility" and a lot of flying. Kids could be their own superhero. Their own creation.

Super Reynard AKA musician Lyra Ray

My heart was filled with joy seeing all these children running around with their capes, jumping from dizzying heights ready to save the world from the forces of evil. Well done Superheroes. And props to Fern who has truly learned how to play her way through life.

Super Capettes.

I just read a wonderful note from the Universe via TUT:

"Every act of kindness, Jessica, gets the nod, opens the heart, dampens the fear, turns the page, ups the ante, tips the point, heightens the joy, changes the world, rows the boat, adds to the love, and if you've been rather extraordinary lately, turns Thursdays into Fridays. See?" 

As someone who can find herself asking what day it is - I couldn't agree with you more Universe.

More photos of the weekend on jectaphotoblog.

tender radicalism, dolphins in japan

Watch The Cove in Activism & Non-Profit  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Recently I was given a book to read "Rules for Radicals" by Saul D. Alinsky (free pdf) and a documentary I have been wanting to watch for a long time, The Cove. I laughed to myself about the book... an insightful read nevertheless.

I suppose it appeals to the little activist in me who feels a bit heart broken every time she sees the ignorant destruction we're causing to ourselves and the planet.  I guess one of the side-affects of travel is the opportunity to witness the scale of mankind's ignorance and stupidity. This really is the 'Age of Stupid' on so many levels, but thankfully, there are people out there that through their awareness, passion and creativity provoke us to realise it and perhaps even, change our ways and perspectives a little.

One quote I loved from this movie is "Society doesn't change through Government, it changes through the passions of individuals". 

I was also brought up on Flipper and wanted to swim with dolphins. Its still a dream of mine. However, realising how wonderfully conscious, beautiful, empathetic and intelligent these creatures are, I'd rather learn from them than support a cruel industry of Seaworlds and mass aquatic murders.

When I was in Japan at the tsunami volunteers camp the camp was donated tinned whale meat from the local fisheries. The fisheries close enough to the two nuclear power-plants which were damaged from the tsunami (the second very much kept under wraps by media).

Its saddening to think that the gorgeous volunteers who dedicate their life to rebuilding a place destroyed, practically left to die by the government, are eating toxic meat unbeknown to them. I understand the notion of 'cultural pursuits' but there's got to be a line drawn somewhere between mass destruction, pollution of the oceans and maintaining tradition. Not to mention the nuclear stuff which I'll hold my tongue on.

This documentary is a wonderful demonstration of how a person's passion can create change and, in all honesty, makes me want to be a mermaid, go to Japan and save the dolphins. Sadly I can't do that right now - so I'm sharing this documentary instead.