Crowdsourcing Videos of the War in Iraq

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Web 2.0, and the rapidly evolving multidimensional environments of Web 3D (exemplified by virtual worlds like Second Life) may eventually provide a new way for us, as global citizens, to realize even our most lofty aspirations for positive global development. As I watch the story in these “Hometown Baghdad” videos unfold, I feel a new and personal connection to people in Iraq. Also, I feel optimism that seeing Iraq in a new way like this may lead to discovering new paths to peace. Thank you, Chat The Planet for giving us this opportunity.

[...] Michael DiBenedetto from Next Next Entertainment, a NY based company helped produce the film and has released this announcement to blogger Chris Pirillo:”March 19th is the fourth anniversary of the war. And here’s an interesting perspective on Iraq… it’s a web documentary series about life in Baghdad – shot by Iraqi filmmakers. Advertisement “My company in NY helped produce it and is now distributing it online. I thought it was something that you could give an interesting take on and that your readers would appreciate. Also feel free to embed the videos. After four years of war, it’s about time to take a moment to focus on regular Iraqis and what they are going through. “The life of the everyday Iraqi is the great untold story of this war. And with this series and its viral potential, we can change that. If enough people in America see this, it could potentially affect in its own small way the way Americans see the Middle East. “It’s also interesting from a distribution standpoint… we’ve effectively crowd-sourced our distribution by putting the videos online and asking our viewers to help us spread them as far and wide as possible.” Make sure you watch the videos and spread the word. I think the effect it has on our perception of the war here in Australia will also be changed.What struck me the most was how much like ours, their dreams and aspirations are, but the barriers they face are so huge. I found the story of the dentist resonated this message for me. He worked so hard to get his dental certificate to leave Iraq and the faces the prospect of being unable to leave without practising three years in Iraq. He is willing to give up all his hard work to leave Iraq. “I want to live,” he says.What I really want to ask the film-makers is what they think should happen now. There’s no point protesting that the war should never have happened, we are involved and responsible. The most compelling question is what can we do to make a better future? I’d like to hear that from them. [...]

[...] The country on everybody’s mind these days is… the United States. Er, Iraq. I mean, Iran! Since I’ve never been to either country, I was actually hoping to speak with people who have lived there (or still do, as is the case for Hometown Baghdad). I know of two American Iranians (including Maryam) – and I hope to record their thoughts on these matters of war sooner rather than later. [...]