Catherine Barrett, founder of The Kindness Pandemic, discusses combatting online negativity by promoting acts of kindness. The viral growth of the Facebook group and the importance of spreading generosity authentically in our digital world are highlighted.
The 'Kindness Pandemic' group showcased the power of small acts of kindness in generating profound emotional relief and inspiring positive actions among members.
The concept of 'Loud Kindness' promoted by the group emphasized the importance of vocalizing and sharing stories of kindness to combat negativity and fear, fostering a culture of compassion and hope.
Deep dives
The Birth of the Kindness Pandemic
Amidst the fear and panic of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Catherine Barrett created the 'Kindness Pandemic' Facebook group as a response to the negativity and aggression on social media. Starting with just a hundred friends, the group quickly grew to 580,000 members in two weeks, focusing on spreading acts of kindness and positivity during challenging times.
The Impact of Simple Acts of Kindness
Small acts of kindness, such as offering tissues or initiating the 'Supermarket Kindness' campaign, had profound effects within the 'Kindness Pandemic' community. These acts, like giving a block of chocolate to a stressed-out cashier, not only brought emotional relief but also inspired others to engage in similar acts, showcasing the power of even the simplest gestures.
The Philosophy of Loud Kindness
The concept of 'Loud Kindness' emerged as a counter-narrative to quiet acts of kindness, advocating for the vocal sharing of positive deeds. By amplifying stories of kindness, the 'Kindness Pandemic' aimed to instill hope, inspire replication, and combat the overwhelming focus on negative news and fear, promoting a culture of compassion and positivity.
Empowering Communities Through Kindness
The 'Kindness Pandemic' expanded its reach to empower communities by encouraging local groups to replicate its initiatives. By fostering intersectional kindness and engaging diverse voices, the movement aimed to bridge divides, combat ageism, and create a sense of belonging and purpose through acts of kindness. The focus on intergenerational connections and shared humanity highlighted the transformative impact of kindness on both givers and recipients.
To get a free copy of the Infectious Generosity book, visit ted.com/generosity
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when misinformation and fear was spreading rampantly, one optimistic community was forming... on Facebook. Catherine Barrett started "The Kindness Pandemic" Facebook group as a way to combat the negativity and aggression she was seeing online. Members participated in campaigns where they engaged in kind acts — and then they posted about it. The group went from dozens of members in its first day to more than 50,000 members joining every day. In this episode, Chris and Catherine chat about bringing humanity back into our digital worlds, discuss what it takes to make kindness go viral, and make a case for being loud about generosity.