sorry guys I needed to update my snapchat really quick hey before I get
snapchat really quick hey before I get
snapchat really quick hey before I get started with my talk I simply want to
started with my talk I simply want to
started with my talk I simply want to mention how blessed I feel not only to
mention how blessed I feel not only to
mention how blessed I feel not only to be able to be surrounded by so many
be able to be surrounded by so many
be able to be surrounded by so many brilliant individuals not only with the
brilliant individuals not only with the
brilliant individuals not only with the speakers that are presented with but
speakers that are presented with but
speakers that are presented with but also the people backstage they’re doing
also the people backstage they’re doing
also the people backstage they’re doing a tremendous job you don’t get to see
a tremendous job you don’t get to see
a tremendous job you don’t get to see the amount of love and sharing
the amount of love and sharing
the amount of love and sharing [Applause]
I’m curious how many people here use
I’m curious how many people here use snapchat raise your hand I’m so lucky
snapchat raise your hand I’m so lucky
snapchat raise your hand I’m so lucky how many people here before today knew
how many people here before today knew
how many people here before today knew about the article or knew about me
about the article or knew about me
about the article or knew about me ouch so my name is Joel I write I am the
ouch so my name is Joel I write I am the
ouch so my name is Joel I write I am the founder and creator of the article the
founder and creator of the article the
founder and creator of the article the article is basically the social media
article is basically the social media
article is basically the social media not only page for community 1 million
not only page for community 1 million
not only page for community 1 million strong on Facebook a moment that has
strong on Facebook a moment that has
strong on Facebook a moment that has become this place where people get to
become this place where people get to
become this place where people get to share the most vulnerable parts of
share the most vulnerable parts of
share the most vulnerable parts of themselves through art I mean the art
themselves through art I mean the art
themselves through art I mean the art load is really a connection between the
load is really a connection between the
load is really a connection between the word antidote and art arty dope thank
word antidote and art arty dope thank
word antidote and art arty dope thank you thank you it was nicely so the earth
you thank you it was nicely so the earth
you thank you it was nicely so the earth ode is a project that I started in early
ode is a project that I started in early
ode is a project that I started in early 2014 and it was started very simple and
2014 and it was started very simple and
2014 and it was started very simple and very weird I simply started posting
very weird I simply started posting
very weird I simply started posting messages on Facebook and these messages
messages on Facebook and these messages
messages on Facebook and these messages would usually be accompanied with an
would usually be accompanied with an
would usually be accompanied with an image and a quote this would be a
image and a quote this would be a
image and a quote this would be a classic example of an art it out post
classic example of an art it out post
classic example of an art it out post right you would have either a painting
right you would have either a painting
right you would have either a painting either a photograph or a sculpture and
either a photograph or a sculpture and
either a photograph or a sculpture and then I would fuse it together with a
then I would fuse it together with a
then I would fuse it together with a quote made by of course two separate
quote made by of course two separate
quote made by of course two separate authors right and the fusion of these
authors right and the fusion of these
authors right and the fusion of these two ways of storytelling visual and
two ways of storytelling visual and
two ways of storytelling visual and textual made you feel something opened
textual made you feel something opened
textual made you feel something opened up a space for you to feel something
up a space for you to feel something
up a space for you to feel something that normally you wouldn’t feel on a
that normally you wouldn’t feel on a
that normally you wouldn’t feel on a day-to-day basis and what I mean by that
day-to-day basis and what I mean by that
day-to-day basis and what I mean by that is that the conversations that I was
is that the conversations that I was
is that the conversations that I was most interested in having were not the
most interested in having were not the
most interested in having were not the usual conversations that you would have
usual conversations that you would have
usual conversations that you would have on first encounter with an individual
on first encounter with an individual
on first encounter with an individual basically avoiding all of the small talk
basically avoiding all of the small talk
basically avoiding all of the small talk right I I hate small talk and and I
right I I hate small talk and and I
right I I hate small talk and and I wanted to also hijack the social media
wanted to also hijack the social media
wanted to also hijack the social media landscape which I don’t know if you
landscape which I don’t know if you
landscape which I don’t know if you remember but in early 2014
remember but in early 2014
remember but in early 2014 social media consisted of news fake news
social media consisted of news fake news
social media consisted of news fake news apparently cat videos food porn
apparently cat videos food porn
apparently cat videos food porn graduation pics vacation pics basically
graduation pics vacation pics basically
graduation pics vacation pics basically all of these congratulate
all of these congratulate
all of these congratulate taury moments that people wanted to
taury moments that people wanted to
taury moments that people wanted to obviously share with their friends but
obviously share with their friends but
obviously share with their friends but it was really lacking the other side of
it was really lacking the other side of
it was really lacking the other side of life which is the dark side which is the
life which is the dark side which is the
life which is the dark side which is the heavy side which is the painful side
heavy side which is the painful side
heavy side which is the painful side there was no space for those type of
there was no space for those type of
there was no space for those type of communications I mean let alone those
communications I mean let alone those
communications I mean let alone those spaces in the physical world are very
spaces in the physical world are very
spaces in the physical world are very limited and so online it they’re very
limited and so online it they’re very
limited and so online it they’re very few so I began by trying to hack these
few so I began by trying to hack these
few so I began by trying to hack these feeds on social media with these posts I
feeds on social media with these posts I
feeds on social media with these posts I mean these posts used to talk about
mean these posts used to talk about
mean these posts used to talk about things that are very vulnerable and very
things that are very vulnerable and very
things that are very vulnerable and very honest and this is what they look like
honest and this is what they look like
honest and this is what they look like and I thought that I was just simply
and I thought that I was just simply
and I thought that I was just simply doing this creative exercise right being
doing this creative exercise right being
doing this creative exercise right being an artist myself I wanted to just fuse
an artist myself I wanted to just fuse
an artist myself I wanted to just fuse two artworks call it collage post it on
two artworks call it collage post it on
two artworks call it collage post it on Facebook and let it go viral
Facebook and let it go viral
Facebook and let it go viral this one is one my favorites thank God
this one is one my favorites thank God
this one is one my favorites thank God that I don’t look like what I’ve been
that I don’t look like what I’ve been
that I don’t look like what I’ve been through and they are like a little wonky
through and they are like a little wonky
through and they are like a little wonky imagine looking like the way that you’ve
imagine looking like the way that you’ve
imagine looking like the way that you’ve been through or what you’ve been through
been through or what you’ve been through
been through or what you’ve been through Jesus but what I did not expect was the
Jesus but what I did not expect was the
Jesus but what I did not expect was the community that would form underneath
community that would form underneath
community that would form underneath these posts and what I mean by
these posts and what I mean by
these posts and what I mean by underneath is the comments right I’m
underneath is the comments right I’m
underneath is the comments right I’m very proud to say that the article is
very proud to say that the article is
very proud to say that the article is possibly one of the few places on the
possibly one of the few places on the
possibly one of the few places on the entire Internet where you tend not to
entire Internet where you tend not to
entire Internet where you tend not to want to avoid the comment section right
want to avoid the comment section right
want to avoid the comment section right where usually you would find like
where usually you would find like
where usually you would find like success remarks homophobic remarks yeah
success remarks homophobic remarks yeah
success remarks homophobic remarks yeah this is not it and this is possibly what
this is not it and this is possibly what
this is not it and this is possibly what not only makes the article unique but
not only makes the article unique but
not only makes the article unique but it’s the thing that makes me the most
it’s the thing that makes me the most
it’s the thing that makes me the most proud of but to show you guys what I
proud of but to show you guys what I
proud of but to show you guys what I mean by having this community online
mean by having this community online
mean by having this community online because sometimes it’s very difficult to
because sometimes it’s very difficult to
because sometimes it’s very difficult to explain what an online community really
explain what an online community really
explain what an online community really is let me show you guys what has been
is let me show you guys what has been
is let me show you guys what has been happening specifically on the snapchat
happening specifically on the snapchat
happening specifically on the snapchat channel of the our code now last August
channel of the our code now last August
channel of the our code now last August not even a year ago I simply asked my
not even a year ago I simply asked my
not even a year ago I simply asked my audience my community online through
audience my community online through
audience my community online through snapchat this question Oh
I need some slides so the question was
I need some slides so the question was on snapchat what time is it there and
on snapchat what time is it there and
on snapchat what time is it there and what are you thinking about that was a
what are you thinking about that was a
what are you thinking about that was a very simple question and I would never
very simple question and I would never
very simple question and I would never have expected that the answers would
have expected that the answers would
have expected that the answers would pretty much become the backbone of the
pretty much become the backbone of the
pretty much become the backbone of the snapchat channel and what I mean by that
snapchat channel and what I mean by that
snapchat channel and what I mean by that is that the thoughts that started to
is that the thoughts that started to
is that the thoughts that started to coming in we’re thoughts that were
coming in we’re thoughts that were
coming in we’re thoughts that were usually predicated around two very
usually predicated around two very
usually predicated around two very important values others that are
important values others that are
important values others that are actually the backbone of my talk today
actually the backbone of my talk today
actually the backbone of my talk today and that was empathy and self-awareness
and that was empathy and self-awareness
and that was empathy and self-awareness it sounds confusing but what I mean by
it sounds confusing but what I mean by
it sounds confusing but what I mean by that is let me show you let me show you
that is let me show you let me show you
that is let me show you let me show you three examples of the thoughts that are
three examples of the thoughts that are
three examples of the thoughts that are started to come in now example number
started to come in now example number
started to come in now example number one is quite simple right it’s 6:18 p.m.
one is quite simple right it’s 6:18 p.m.
one is quite simple right it’s 6:18 p.m. I’m chilling on the bed with my dogs and
I’m chilling on the bed with my dogs and
I’m chilling on the bed with my dogs and I’m thinking about ice cream haha
I’m thinking about ice cream haha
I’m thinking about ice cream haha because why not right who doesn’t like
because why not right who doesn’t like
because why not right who doesn’t like ice cream the other type of posts were a
ice cream the other type of posts were a
ice cream the other type of posts were a little bit more personal and it went a
little bit more personal and it went a
little bit more personal and it went a little bit deeper thinking about how
little bit deeper thinking about how
little bit deeper thinking about how happy I feel when I listen to my heart I
happy I feel when I listen to my heart I
happy I feel when I listen to my heart I think that we can all connect with at
think that we can all connect with at
think that we can all connect with at least that feeling of self-awareness
least that feeling of self-awareness
least that feeling of self-awareness when you follow your your heart what
when you follow your your heart what
when you follow your your heart what your heart says but the third type of
your heart says but the third type of
your heart says but the third type of messages that I began to receive and
messages that I began to receive and
messages that I began to receive and this is the thing that switched
this is the thing that switched
this is the thing that switched everything was something like this
thinking about the baby I lost four
thinking about the baby I lost four months ago
months ago
months ago so quite specifically it was this
so quite specifically it was this
so quite specifically it was this message that created a vision for myself
message that created a vision for myself
message that created a vision for myself about what this snapchat channel was
about what this snapchat channel was
about what this snapchat channel was going to become and that vision was that
going to become and that vision was that
going to become and that vision was that I was in front of the possibility of
I was in front of the possibility of
I was in front of the possibility of creating a global support group because
creating a global support group because
creating a global support group because let me explain so the reason why I enjoy
let me explain so the reason why I enjoy
let me explain so the reason why I enjoy snapchat so much as a platform for
snapchat so much as a platform for
snapchat so much as a platform for storytelling has to do with this in
storytelling has to do with this in
storytelling has to do with this in particular with the possibility of
particular with the possibility of
particular with the possibility of sharing not only a picture of your
sharing not only a picture of your
sharing not only a picture of your surroundings of your perspective but
surroundings of your perspective but
surroundings of your perspective but also putting text on top so you have the
also putting text on top so you have the
also putting text on top so you have the possibility of seeing not only the
possibility of seeing not only the
possibility of seeing not only the perspective of an individual quite
perspective of an individual quite
perspective of an individual quite literal and figuratively and also with
literal and figuratively and also with
literal and figuratively and also with their thoughts and sometimes it’s a
their thoughts and sometimes it’s a
their thoughts and sometimes it’s a lonely room sometimes it’s a landscape
lonely room sometimes it’s a landscape
lonely room sometimes it’s a landscape and other times it’s people confronting
and other times it’s people confronting
and other times it’s people confronting themselves so this is where the empathy
themselves so this is where the empathy
themselves so this is where the empathy happens right because you’re not only
happens right because you’re not only
happens right because you’re not only being asked to be self aware and to
being asked to be self aware and to
being asked to be self aware and to express your own thoughts but you’re
express your own thoughts but you’re
express your own thoughts but you’re also exposed to the thoughts of others
also exposed to the thoughts of others
also exposed to the thoughts of others and you’re feeling together with people
and you’re feeling together with people
and you’re feeling together with people right now I wasn’t expecting to receive
right now I wasn’t expecting to receive
right now I wasn’t expecting to receive a message like this one this happened
a message like this one this happened
a message like this one this happened two weeks after I asked that question I
two weeks after I asked that question I
two weeks after I asked that question I started taking my meds so that I could
started taking my meds so that I could
started taking my meds so that I could stock up and overdose
stock up and overdose
stock up and overdose tomorrow is the day Cochabamba Bolivia
tomorrow is the day Cochabamba Bolivia
tomorrow is the day Cochabamba Bolivia 327 a.m. what what do you do when you
327 a.m. what what do you do when you
327 a.m. what what do you do when you get a message like that an immediate red
get a message like that an immediate red
get a message like that an immediate red flag I thought that the most that I
flag I thought that the most that I
flag I thought that the most that I could do was to at least screenshot this
could do was to at least screenshot this
could do was to at least screenshot this story and share it with my community to
story and share it with my community to
story and share it with my community to at least let this person know that she
at least let this person know that she
at least let this person know that she wasn’t alone and that we were listening
wasn’t alone and that we were listening
wasn’t alone and that we were listening right and I did not anticipate what
right and I did not anticipate what
right and I did not anticipate what would happen afterwards because instead
would happen afterwards because instead
would happen afterwards because instead of sending in their thoughts their own
of sending in their thoughts their own
of sending in their thoughts their own thoughts people began to send in the
thoughts people began to send in the
thoughts people began to send in the thoughts about this girl this stranger
thoughts about this girl this stranger
thoughts about this girl this stranger on the other side of the world that was
on the other side of the world that was
on the other side of the world that was going through a really rough time and
going through a really rough time and
going through a really rough time and these messages were messages of support
these messages were messages of support
these messages were messages of support messages of love messages that were
messages of love messages that were
messages of love messages that were trying to get her to at least expand her
trying to get her to at least expand her
trying to get her to at least expand her awareness and to make her aware that she
awareness and to make her aware that she
awareness and to make her aware that she did not need to make a permanent
did not need to make a permanent
did not need to make a permanent decision on a temporary problem and so
decision on a temporary problem and so
decision on a temporary problem and so somehow I lost track of the username of
somehow I lost track of the username of
somehow I lost track of the username of this girl in Bolivia and I couldn’t
this girl in Bolivia and I couldn’t
this girl in Bolivia and I couldn’t connect with her directly so what I did
connect with her directly so what I did
connect with her directly so what I did was I sent a message a personal direct
was I sent a message a personal direct
was I sent a message a personal direct message into the feed asking her not
message into the feed asking her not
message into the feed asking her not only had if she’d seen the messages of
only had if she’d seen the messages of
only had if she’d seen the messages of support that she was getting but also
support that she was getting but also
support that she was getting but also asking her if she was still there right
asking her if she was still there right
asking her if she was still there right and I waited for a response
and I waited for a response
and I waited for a response I waited some more and then finally her
I waited some more and then finally her
I waited some more and then finally her response came in within 24 hours
response came in within 24 hours
response came in within 24 hours actually I ended up getting drunk and a
actually I ended up getting drunk and a
actually I ended up getting drunk and a friend took me to her place so I
friend took me to her place so I
friend took me to her place so I wouldn’t be able to go with to go
wouldn’t be able to go with to go
wouldn’t be able to go with to go through with it
through with it
through with it overwhelmed thank you was her message so
overwhelmed thank you was her message so
overwhelmed thank you was her message so at first I thought that this was a fluke
at first I thought that this was a fluke
at first I thought that this was a fluke at first I thought that in no way was
at first I thought that in no way was
at first I thought that in no way was this snapchat community responsible for
this snapchat community responsible for
this snapchat community responsible for pretty much saving the life of someone
pretty much saving the life of someone
pretty much saving the life of someone that was a complete stranger to
that was a complete stranger to
that was a complete stranger to everybody in the community but then four
everybody in the community but then four
everybody in the community but then four months later
months later
months later this happened well I’m going to go back
this happened well I’m going to go back
this happened well I’m going to go back to that slide but I want to talk about
to that slide but I want to talk about
to that slide but I want to talk about the story that came in four months later
the story that came in four months later
the story that came in four months later and it was a girl from Delhi and the
and it was a girl from Delhi and the
and it was a girl from Delhi and the snap thought reads I’m only 20 and the
snap thought reads I’m only 20 and the
snap thought reads I’m only 20 and the boy who knocked me up isn’t even my
boy who knocked me up isn’t even my
boy who knocked me up isn’t even my boyfriend I’m so scared I think I’ll go
boyfriend I’m so scared I think I’ll go
boyfriend I’m so scared I think I’ll go tea tonight so I don’t bring shame to my
tea tonight so I don’t bring shame to my
tea tonight so I don’t bring shame to my family Delhi India 11:41 a.m. so in
family Delhi India 11:41 a.m. so in
family Delhi India 11:41 a.m. so in order to understand this snap I think
order to understand this snap I think
order to understand this snap I think that we have to be aware of the social
that we have to be aware of the social
that we have to be aware of the social and cultural reality of India right
and cultural reality of India right
and cultural reality of India right we’re bringing shame to your family is
we’re bringing shame to your family is
we’re bringing shame to your family is pretty much the worst thing that you can
pretty much the worst thing that you can
pretty much the worst thing that you can do I mean in India family honour is
do I mean in India family honour is
do I mean in India family honour is everything and to bring shame to it
everything and to bring shame to it
everything and to bring shame to it would either mean they can disown you or
would either mean they can disown you or
would either mean they can disown you or they can you be strange from your family
they can you be strange from your family
they can you be strange from your family and so this was a very tough situation
and so this was a very tough situation
and so this was a very tough situation to be in for a 20 year old woman who
to be in for a 20 year old woman who
to be in for a 20 year old woman who simply got engaged in casual sexual
simply got engaged in casual sexual
simply got engaged in casual sexual experience and all of a sudden when the
experience and all of a sudden when the
experience and all of a sudden when the condom broke which I later found out
condom broke which I later found out
condom broke which I later found out that this was the case she got pregnant
that this was the case she got pregnant
that this was the case she got pregnant a complete accident a very tough
a complete accident a very tough
a complete accident a very tough situation to be in
situation to be in
situation to be in now having learned from the past
now having learned from the past
now having learned from the past experience with a girl from Cochabamba I
experience with a girl from Cochabamba I
experience with a girl from Cochabamba I now did not wait now I messaged this
now did not wait now I messaged this
now did not wait now I messaged this girl right away and I asked her one
girl right away and I asked her one
girl right away and I asked her one simple thing I asked her to simply
simple thing I asked her to simply
simple thing I asked her to simply breathe right which is sometimes the
breathe right which is sometimes the
breathe right which is sometimes the most courageous thing that you can
most courageous thing that you can
most courageous thing that you can actually do and I asked her to breathe
actually do and I asked her to breathe
actually do and I asked her to breathe to give herself 24 hours and I told her
to give herself 24 hours and I told her
to give herself 24 hours and I told her that I would be sharing her story with
that I would be sharing her story with
that I would be sharing her story with the community and I just told her to
the community and I just told her to
the community and I just told her to wait whadya I did not tell her was that
wait whadya I did not tell her was that
wait whadya I did not tell her was that I had no idea what to do I felt helpless
I had no idea what to do I felt helpless
I had no idea what to do I felt helpless I did not know if there was going to be
I did not know if there was going to be
I did not know if there was going to be actually a way out I did not see a way
actually a way out I did not see a way
actually a way out I did not see a way out for her I did not see myself helping
out for her I did not see myself helping
out for her I did not see myself helping her in any way I was simply hoping that
her in any way I was simply hoping that
her in any way I was simply hoping that somebody had been in that similar
somebody had been in that similar
somebody had been in that similar situation from India and consent in a
situation from India and consent in a
situation from India and consent in a snap of support and to my surprise and
snap of support and to my surprise and
snap of support and to my surprise and to everybody else a surprise the
to everybody else a surprise the
to everybody else a surprise the snapchat community came through because
snapchat community came through because
snapchat community came through because everybody started sending in messages of
everybody started sending in messages of
everybody started sending in messages of support once again the same story and
support once again the same story and
support once again the same story and especially messages of people that have
especially messages of people that have
especially messages of people that have been in that situation in the past or
been in that situation in the past or
been in that situation in the past or people that not only empathize but
people that not only empathize but
people that not only empathize but people that offered
people that offered
people that offered possibilities and other types of support
possibilities and other types of support
possibilities and other types of support and later talking with the girl from
and later talking with the girl from
and later talking with the girl from Delhi she told me that there was one
Delhi she told me that there was one
Delhi she told me that there was one particular snap that changed her entire
particular snap that changed her entire
particular snap that changed her entire choice pattern right and that snap was
choice pattern right and that snap was
choice pattern right and that snap was this somebody in Karachi Pakistan was
this somebody in Karachi Pakistan was
this somebody in Karachi Pakistan was praying at midnight for the girl in
praying at midnight for the girl in
praying at midnight for the girl in Delhi asking her to simply wait and to
Delhi asking her to simply wait and to
Delhi asking her to simply wait and to be strong enough that there would be
be strong enough that there would be
be strong enough that there would be other tons of options that she could do
other tons of options that she could do
other tons of options that she could do but this did not need to be the end and
but this did not need to be the end and
but this did not need to be the end and the girl from Delhi told me that this
the girl from Delhi told me that this
the girl from Delhi told me that this was actually the thing that made her
was actually the thing that made her
was actually the thing that made her change her mind
change her mind
change her mind so the unexpected happened we got an
so the unexpected happened we got an
so the unexpected happened we got an update from the girl from Delhi who told
update from the girl from Delhi who told
update from the girl from Delhi who told us that she received enough support from
us that she received enough support from
us that she received enough support from the community enough support to pierce
the community enough support to pierce
the community enough support to pierce through the fear and confront her mother
through the fear and confront her mother
through the fear and confront her mother about the situation and try to talk it
about the situation and try to talk it
about the situation and try to talk it out and at least to hope for the best
out and at least to hope for the best
out and at least to hope for the best and I couldn’t believe it I couldn’t
and I couldn’t believe it I couldn’t
and I couldn’t believe it I couldn’t believe that were actually changing
believe that were actually changing
believe that were actually changing somebody’s patterns of behavior right
somebody’s patterns of behavior right
somebody’s patterns of behavior right and then this update came in two days
and then this update came in two days
and then this update came in two days later and this was once again that were
later and this was once again that were
later and this was once again that were from Delhi saying my mom took me to the
from Delhi saying my mom took me to the
from Delhi saying my mom took me to the gynecologist today we’re starting the
gynecologist today we’re starting the
gynecologist today we’re starting the procedure soon thank you for giving me
procedure soon thank you for giving me
procedure soon thank you for giving me strength and saving me love the pregnant
strength and saving me love the pregnant
strength and saving me love the pregnant girl from Delhi so I couldn’t believe it
girl from Delhi so I couldn’t believe it
girl from Delhi so I couldn’t believe it back then and I don’t think I still
back then and I don’t think I still
back then and I don’t think I still fully believe that now I still don’t
fully believe that now I still don’t
fully believe that now I still don’t believe that social media could actually
believe that social media could actually
believe that social media could actually help save a life right I couldn’t
help save a life right I couldn’t
help save a life right I couldn’t believe it if it wasn’t for the power of
believe it if it wasn’t for the power of
believe it if it wasn’t for the power of empathy and self-awareness but I
empathy and self-awareness but I
empathy and self-awareness but I definitely do not want to stand here
definitely do not want to stand here
definitely do not want to stand here today in front of all of you and say
today in front of all of you and say
today in front of all of you and say something but that sounds like snapchat
something but that sounds like snapchat
something but that sounds like snapchat is helping people is saving lives right
is helping people is saving lives right
is helping people is saving lives right because there’s a there’s a
because there’s a there’s a
because there’s a there’s a of everything elephant in this room yeah
of everything elephant in this room yeah
of everything elephant in this room yeah we need to talk about and that is mental
we need to talk about and that is mental
we need to talk about and that is mental health I have to acknowledge that I also
health I have to acknowledge that I also
health I have to acknowledge that I also received suicidal thoughts sometimes not
received suicidal thoughts sometimes not
received suicidal thoughts sometimes not databases and I have to notice the fact
databases and I have to notice the fact
databases and I have to notice the fact that this specific conversation is much
that this specific conversation is much
that this specific conversation is much as part of a larger conversation which
as part of a larger conversation which
as part of a larger conversation which is mental illness in the age of social
is mental illness in the age of social
is mental illness in the age of social media but I will also be the first one
media but I will also be the first one
media but I will also be the first one to acknowledge that snapchat stories are
to acknowledge that snapchat stories are
to acknowledge that snapchat stories are not going to cure a mental illness and
not going to cure a mental illness and
not going to cure a mental illness and the only reason why these people feel
the only reason why these people feel
the only reason why these people feel that there is a connection that they
that there is a connection that they
that there is a connection that they could make through snapchat is because
could make through snapchat is because
could make through snapchat is because talking to them I realize that they’ve
talking to them I realize that they’ve
talking to them I realize that they’ve exhausted all of their possibilities
exhausted all of their possibilities
exhausted all of their possibilities around them meaning that their friends
around them meaning that their friends
around them meaning that their friends or family members either don’t know what
or family members either don’t know what
or family members either don’t know what to do with people that are suffering
to do with people that are suffering
to do with people that are suffering through a mental illness people that are
through a mental illness people that are
through a mental illness people that are suffering maybe from this depression
suffering maybe from this depression
suffering maybe from this depression anxiety bipolar disorder and they’ve
anxiety bipolar disorder and they’ve
anxiety bipolar disorder and they’ve been greeted often with either judgment
been greeted often with either judgment
been greeted often with either judgment or dismissal with either phrases for
or dismissal with either phrases for
or dismissal with either phrases for example like get over it or this is just
example like get over it or this is just
example like get over it or this is just a phase it will pass from people that
a phase it will pass from people that
a phase it will pass from people that actually don’t understand how serious
actually don’t understand how serious
actually don’t understand how serious mental illnesses are pretty much as
mental illnesses are pretty much as
mental illnesses are pretty much as serious as cancer if not treated in time
serious as cancer if not treated in time
serious as cancer if not treated in time they could kill you and I just wish that
they could kill you and I just wish that
they could kill you and I just wish that mental health was taken as seriously as
mental health was taken as seriously as
mental health was taken as seriously as physical health but until then we need
physical health but until then we need
physical health but until then we need to create this spaces where these
to create this spaces where these
to create this spaces where these conversations these honest and
conversations these honest and
conversations these honest and vulnerable conversations happen so what
vulnerable conversations happen so what
vulnerable conversations happen so what does this does this all mean and why am
does this does this all mean and why am
does this does this all mean and why am I here today I think that the whole
I here today I think that the whole
I here today I think that the whole point of what I’m doing with snap
point of what I’m doing with snap
point of what I’m doing with snap thoughts and with snapchat is something
thoughts and with snapchat is something
thoughts and with snapchat is something that I actually did not reveal to my
that I actually did not reveal to my
that I actually did not reveal to my community until last month and that is
community until last month and that is
community until last month and that is the fact that this snap thought project
the fact that this snap thought project
the fact that this snap thought project is really a collective cathartic
is really a collective cathartic
is really a collective cathartic exercise in meditation and let me
exercise in meditation and let me
exercise in meditation and let me explain when I ask people what they’re
explain when I ask people what they’re
explain when I ask people what they’re doing when they’re doing it and the
doing when they’re doing it and the
doing when they’re doing it and the location that they’re doing it in or
location that they’re doing it in or
location that they’re doing it in or what they’re thinking in that particular
what they’re thinking in that particular
what they’re thinking in that particular moment I’m asking for three things I’m
moment I’m asking for three things I’m
moment I’m asking for three things I’m asking for not only their thoughts which
asking for not only their thoughts which
asking for not only their thoughts which generates this level of self-awareness
generates this level of self-awareness
generates this level of self-awareness where you begin to think that you’re
where you begin to think that you’re
where you begin to think that you’re actually a being who thinks and that
actually a being who thinks and that
actually a being who thinks and that those thoughts have a great impact on
those thoughts have a great impact on
those thoughts have a great impact on the
the
the that you leave lead your life but I’m
that you leave lead your life but I’m
that you leave lead your life but I’m also asking for a location which is
also asking for a location which is
also asking for a location which is making people self aware of the social
making people self aware of the social
making people self aware of the social cultural context right in which they
cultural context right in which they
cultural context right in which they live and those context have tremendous
live and those context have tremendous
live and those context have tremendous impact as well in our thoughts and the
impact as well in our thoughts and the
impact as well in our thoughts and the way we lead our lives and third of all
way we lead our lives and third of all
way we lead our lives and third of all I’m asking people to be aware of the
I’m asking people to be aware of the
I’m asking people to be aware of the time of the current present moment of
time of the current present moment of
time of the current present moment of the now which accounts for all of the
the now which accounts for all of the
the now which accounts for all of the lived experience up until this point so
lived experience up until this point so
lived experience up until this point so then now also reminds ourselves that
then now also reminds ourselves that
then now also reminds ourselves that this is the only time that we ever have
this is the only time that we ever have
this is the only time that we ever have and our stories are the only things that
and our stories are the only things that
and our stories are the only things that we could ever truly share truly own and
we could ever truly share truly own and
we could ever truly share truly own and the only things that will ever leave
the only things that will ever leave
the only things that will ever leave behind so what this means to me what
behind so what this means to me what
behind so what this means to me what this whole snap-snap thoughts project
this whole snap-snap thoughts project
this whole snap-snap thoughts project means and what the arted ODE means to me
means and what the arted ODE means to me
means and what the arted ODE means to me is it’s a very simple reminder and
is it’s a very simple reminder and
is it’s a very simple reminder and that’s the reminder that for millennia
that’s the reminder that for millennia
that’s the reminder that for millennia we’ve been doing the same thing we’ve
we’ve been doing the same thing we’ve
we’ve been doing the same thing we’ve been bonding over stories our stories
been bonding over stories our stories
been bonding over stories our stories are very important I mean back then we
are very important I mean back then we
are very important I mean back then we were surrounded by cave walls now we’re
were surrounded by cave walls now we’re
were surrounded by cave walls now we’re here surrounded by Facebook walls
here surrounded by Facebook walls
here surrounded by Facebook walls snapchat walls but we’re still sharing
snapchat walls but we’re still sharing
snapchat walls but we’re still sharing our stories and we’re empathizing with
our stories and we’re empathizing with
our stories and we’re empathizing with each other through our stories we’re
each other through our stories we’re
each other through our stories we’re creating bonds and we’re healing through
creating bonds and we’re healing through
creating bonds and we’re healing through the power of our own stories now I think
the power of our own stories now I think
the power of our own stories now I think that more important than anything though
that more important than anything though
that more important than anything though is another another reminder and that’s
is another another reminder and that’s
is another another reminder and that’s the reminder that here today everybody
the reminder that here today everybody
the reminder that here today everybody even though we’re mostly strangers to
even though we’re mostly strangers to
even though we’re mostly strangers to each other that we’re at least in we’re
each other that we’re at least in we’re
each other that we’re at least in we’re all in this together thank
all in this together thank
all in this together thank [Applause]
you
you [Music]
”
Be First to Comment