The good news experiment? What do you think?

With the "fun not fear" Facebook campaign, we are combatting the culture of fear with good news, good acts and a focus on the importance of everyday creativity. Creating a kind of neighborhood news for the world, members are making a daily habit of reporting on the good and creatives news in their lives.

We believe that if millions of us do this, then we might create some small good for ourselves and each other. Do you agree? 

Here are some examples of recent posts about the small, ordinary, sometimes corny, good and creative things members are doing everyday. Take a look at these and and then respond with what you think about this experiment.

- Maria is leading her pre-K and kindgergarten kids through a Georgia O'Keefe group painting project

- Anne spent the weekend making maple syrup

- Melea is working on "catnup" - new kind of agreement between cats and their owners

- Karyn is working on a name for her new skincare product and others are responding in Haiku

- Tony took an evening walk with different steps and moves on every block

- Jana is working on new homepage concepts

- Rafo is working on the design and construction of a musical instrument museum in Phoenix

- Martha is making a new shrine out of a box

- Kimarie is going to a yoga class and forgetting about the 60 things on her todo list

- FedEx Kinko's is giving away free resume printing

In the face of layoffs and hardships of all kinds, do you think it has a positive impact to focus on fun and creativity and these corny tidbits of everyday life?

Let me say a few words about why I think the answer to that question is "yes" and then ask you to respond with your thoughts.

I'm influenced by scientists, psychologists and cartoonists who all take play, creativity and fun seriously. Some positive psychologists talk about how good or bad moods can spread like viruses - and that by making a habit of seeing the glass half full rather than half empty, people can be happier and affect the happiness of those around them. Some development psychologists and educators - like Professor Carrie Lobman at Rutgers - take what they have learned from studying play and improvisation into all kinds of environments including inner-city neighborhoods where they radically change and improve in-school and after-school programs. And cartoonists like Bob Mankoff, who will be participating in our April Fool's Day webinar, spend time not just making and editing great cartoons but also seriously studying humor and fun.

What do you think about this good news experiment? 

I look forward to your thoughts.

Phil

P.S. Media studies show that bad news far outweighs good news - perhaps by as much as 17 negative news reports for every 1 good news report. Why is that the case? Read my proposed answer here.

Comments

[Kendall Crolius]

Definitely NOT superficial. While daily reminders of the importance of fun and creativity would be valuable simply as a diversion, they do more - they seem to instill confidence and courage,and inspire me to action! I'm hearing the same from lots of friends.

[Fred Neil]

These are very challenging economic times and we have all certainly, directly or indirectly, come across many people impacted by the economic down turn. You cannot open a newspaper or listen to a news report without another negative story on the current state of our economy. It has been proven that negative news has a negative impact on our emotions and our behavior.
This is a great cause to attach our thoughts and actions to something positive so we can personally make a difference in bringing more happiness and a broader positive attitude to every day life. Sign up, tell your friends and see how good a good deed makes you feel.

[Barb Didrichsen]

I take this seriously for the very reason this quote resonates with me:

"If you focus on the obstacles, then you give them more power. Instead, focus on your purpose, on your most authentic and fundamental intentions." - Ralph Marston

In some ways, difficult times make this easier for me than flush times. One way of looking at being under-employed at the moment is that I have more time to hone myself and my purpose on earth.

[Jana Eggers]

Unfortunately, media today covers the sensational. The good news bits are considered "fluff". So journalists sometimes even just highlight the bad side of the story to get column space.

As citizen journalists, we need to find these good news stories and pull them out. Make them not fluff. Make them real for people. Corny is good, but corny that works is even better.

I think one of the things I always try to remind myself on this... the small things matter. Even if we are the beacon of "good each day", that beacon needs to be seen every day. In every way.

My shirt today says, "Success comes in cans". We can do this.

[Kimarie]

I hope this group can nudge the zeitgeist in a positive direction - the right direction. This is a very real tactic to combat sensationalist news stories that raise anxiety about the direction of our country. Also, it keeps us focused on what is truly most important - being happy with the gift of being alive.

[Diane]

This is NOT superficial. These times may be challenging, but it also presents a great opportunity for us to reflect, grow and change as we focus on the important things in life.

[Melody Brooke]

I think this is GREAT and REALLY important. At a time when so many of us are changing how we think about ourselves, and our spirituality, its disheartening to hear so much negativity. Being "enlightened" means what is sounds like it means "light hearted"! I love it.

[Jendra Jarnagin]

This is great. My friend sent me this on Facebook after I posted a link to a blog about the book "The Three Laws of Performance." The latest post is about America's collective attitude about our future. I think you'd find it interesting. Check it out.

http://blog.threelawsofperformance.com/

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