CLICK FOR U.S. PLAYDATES

Trailer & more info: www.firstrunfeatures.com/survivingprogress

Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/firstrunfeatures/events

SURVIVING PROGRESS is a stunning new feature documentary that connects the financial collapse, growing inequity, and the Wall Street oligarchy, with future technology, sustainability, and the fate of civilization.

Please spread the word as it's so important for films to do well on opening weekend in order to stay in theatres!! The film has already been a big success in Canada and we're thrilled to see it hit the big screen in the US.

You can contribute to the success of Surviving Progress by joining the event on Facebook, following @CorporationFilm, and tweeting #SurvivingProgress to stay involved in the conversation. Forward our email too!

UPCOMING NEW YORK SCREENINGS:

Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center
Intro by executive producer Martin Scorsese!
Q&A w/director Mathieu Roy and co-director Harold Crooks at the 7:15 pm show on Friday, April 6th
144 W 65th St b/t Broadway & Amsterdam | 212.875.5600
Showtimes: 10:30 am, 2:50 pm & 7:15 pm daily
Buy tickets

Cinema Village
Q&A w/co-director Harold Crooks at the 7:00 pm show on Saturday, April 7th!
22 E 12th St b/t 5th Ave & University Pl | 212.924.3363
Showtimes: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 & 9:10 pm daily
Buy tickets

For info on Surviving Progress and a Tweet Cheat Sheet to keep the momentum going, keep reading after the jump.

]]> Film LaunchSurviving Progress http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=444&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=444&website_id=1& Tuesday, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 -0700 We're proud to work on so many great causes at Hello Cool World. Lately we've been buzzing about 65_RedRoses as the date of the US premiere on OWN Documentary Club approaches (May 3rd!), and also because we'll be releasing the new edition of the film on DVD (available in Canada only). Canadian supporters can get the deluxe collectors version at a discount price now - pre-sales for the Special Edition DVD (sorry, Canada only) are only $29.95 until April 15th! The regular price will be $34.95 so it's a great deal and the time is ticking down.

Not only are we excited about sharing this great film with people, but we're also thrilled with the packaging. We thoroughly research our sources and suppliers to develop campaign materials that are not only beautifully designed and high quality, but also sustainably, responsibly and ethically created. Since "green" and "eco" are buzzwords used so frequently that they've almost lost their meaning, we thought we'd tell you a little more about where our campaign awareness materials come from, so you can feel good about supporting cool campaigns!

The materials for the 65_RedRoses DVD cases are plastic-free using 100% recycled paper. Our #4Eva t-shirts are printed on sweatshop-free American Apparel t-shirts, made in a garment factory in Montreal. From there they are screenprinted by our friends at Special Screencraft, a small Vancouver-based printing business. Our #4Eva pendants are also printed locally, and assembled by hand with love and care by the Hello Cool World team!

]]> Activism and Protests65_RedRosesHello Cool WorldSocial Marketing http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=443&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=443&website_id=1& Friday, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700 MARCH MADNESS ENDS! 65_REDROSES HEATS UP AND HCW WORKSHOP ON SOCIAL MARKETING FOR RED ROAD HIV/AIDS NETWORK!

Things have been mighty busy around Hello Cool World headquarters lately, with most of our major clients having deadlines to match the end of the fiscal year (AKA today!). We last calculated that we send over 30 separate projects to print, and that's not all... Here's our ad in the Georgia Straight for the special screening of 65_RedRoses tomorrow at UBC's Norm Theatre.

This marks the launch of our 'alternative' theatrical release of the new cut of the film, and is especially poignant because it happens to be Eva's birthday.

65_RedRoses fits our multiple mandates of promoting films for social causes and health marketing. We're developing the #4Eva free moblie app to encourage everyone to become an organ donor, and to share the campaign on their social networks. It will launch by the time the film premieres in the US on OWN on May 3.

Become an organ donor! #4Eva!

Still, yesterday we found time to do a social marketing workshop for The Red Road HIV/AIDS Network, which was surprisingly energizing considering what a week/month it's been. The room contained more than a few familiar faces, as we have just locked an HIV testing video we made for the BCCDC street nurse team (The team behind Bevel up). But conversations around social change theories are among my favorite activities, and it was a lively group.

The video we just wrapped (with the help of our cohorts Devon and Andrej at Storybubble) is called "Being There". It's meant for internal use to train nurses in the context and conversations around HIV testing. The client-centred focus of all the modules in the video, and the topic of our workshop for Red Road - social marketing - are deeply entwined philosophically. 

"Listen first" is the guiding principle in both. As Charlotte says in the video when asked what her advice to nurses who have to give an HIV positive diagnosis: "Walk with this person from day one of their HIV, you really gotta walk with them. You don’t know what they’ve been through, just help them. They’re going to be your best teacher. Let them be your teacher."

]]> 65_RedRosesFirst NationsHealth/Health Advocacyhealth promotionHarm ReductionHIV AIDS http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=442&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=442&website_id=1& Wednesday, 28 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700 On March 29, 2012  my colleagues Michelle Reid and Bella Sie and I will be presenting a social marketing workshop.

We'll be going over the basics of social marketing theory, and using case studies for work we've done with our clients like Chee Mamuk, LACE campaign, and more.

Should be fun! 

 ]]> First NationsHIV AIDS http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=441&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=441&website_id=1& Thursday, 15 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700 By now, I’m sure you have heard about the debates going around KONY2012. The rhetoric is largely: “Is Invisible Children credible?”, “Are the facts accurate?”, and “Who is benefiting from the campaign?”

And while all these questions are important, I want to focus here on a part of the debate that hasn’t gotten that much publicity: race.

One of the major things that struck me while watching KONY2012 is the way that black Africans are constructed in the film. It opens with the birth of the filmmaker's child, showing us the ideal western privileged family—beautiful and white. The sequence deliberately suggests the filmmaker's values, and the feelings of protection he has for his family, mirrors that of his target audience. By starting this way, he is asking us to identify with his worldview, and trust that we can accept his judgments as we would our own. This idyllic "American Dream" family is almost immediately juxtaposed with a grim and alien world of "others." He introduces these people to us in the frame of our worst fears: poor, naked, starving children, and their "helpless" black African parents. Is there a worse nightmare for a child or parent to imagine themselves in? Love, then shock, is a recipe that filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock perfected years ago for effectively captivating an audience.

]]> Activism and ProtestsFeminism http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=438&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=438&website_id=1& Monday, 12 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Guest Blogger Jennifer Slattery looks critically at the STOP KONY 2012 campaign pushed by the Christian advocacy group, Invisible Children, whose 30-minute film about Ugandan militia leader and war criminal, Joseph Kony, has been getting considerable attention. Unfortunately, some of their information—and possibly even motives—look a little dubious.

Last week, social networks exploded with the STOP KONY 2012 campaign. It left me a bit bewildered having to inform so many friends and colleagues that their noble intentions were in fact being played. No one should feel embarrassed about sharing the film, and empathizing with the plight of the Ugandan people before they knew what was up with this organization. I admire their show of empathy immensely. Unfortunately, some people choose to take advantage of one of the best parts in humanity. We saw it in the wake of 9/11, in the names of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and even the devastating quake that ruptured Haiti. So first off, some important facts you deserve to know before handing your cash over to the film's organization Invisible Children:

Fact: Kony hasn't been in Uganda since 2006. As admitted by Invisible Children themselves. 

Fact: President Obama sent troops to find, and capture or kill him already. 

Fact: Only about 30% of the money donated to IC goes to the cause.

Fact: The Uganda government's army has been committing rape & genocide in Rwanda. (Not to mention that whole "kill the gays bill" debacle aided by C-street U.S. politicians.) They are the current "bad guys" there.  

Fact: The makers of the film are egotistical enough to pose with assault rifles and rocket launchers alongside the the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (Yet another raping, murdering militia plaguing the region). See the pic for yourself:

To me, this picture encapsulates a lot of what we get wrong when our culture interacts with people of other cultures, races, and regions. 

]]> geopoliticsActivism and Protests http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=439&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=439&website_id=1& Friday, 09 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Social Media Camp, that is!

On Wednesday, The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council held a Social Media Camp as part of their 2012 Quality Forum. The purpose of the event was to showcase the potential and opportunity for social media in health, including case studies, guidelines and examples of campaigns!

To say that Hello Cool World has a passion for social media and health would be an understatement, so we were delighted to have two opportunities to participate: HCW Creative Director Kat was on a panel discussion entitled The Power of Social Media to Change How We Do Health Care, and I co-presented with BCCDC's Chelsea Haines about I Have Immunity in a workshop on social media campaigns. You can read more about my participation over on the I Have Immunity blog!

Kat's fellow panelists were Canadian Medical Association Editor-in-Chief Pat Rich, David Hume of the Government of BC, and Pamela Fayerman, health reporter for the Vancouver Sun. It was a very esteemed group that Hello Cool World was proud to join!  ]]> Health/Health Advocacyhealth promotionLocal Events and Parties http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=437&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=437&website_id=1& Thursday, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Today, March 8th, marks International Women's Day! We hope you find the time today to celebrate the women in your life and think about all the great progress women have made in the past hundred years.

Dating Confidential is a study promoting women's health. In order to improve sexual health services and education for women, we need a better understanding of their health needs! That's why by filling out the survey, and forwarding it to friends, you are helping to improve the health and education of women across North America. Thank you for your support!

One of the reasons Dating Confidential is necessary is because women are staying single longer- dating and having new relationships throughout their life. This is partly because there are many more opportunities for women besides early marriage & children. Women are staying single to pursue their education or careers, or raising children outside traditional marriages, or re-entering the dating world after long relationships! These are great advances that require new research so that the health and education services can keep up.]]> Health/Health Advocacy http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=436&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=436&website_id=1& Thursday, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Today, March 8th, is the 100th International Women's Day, which has been celebrated on this day since 1913. We think that's pretty special- after all, LACE Campaign is a big fan of women's rights and health!

Want to do something positive for the women in your life? Encourage them all to get a Pap test if they're overdue- we recommend Opt clinics, located all over the province! Find your nearest clinic here. Also, sign up for a Pap reminder! It's a simple way to find out when you need to get a Pap, and a great tool for busy women without regular health care providers.

Here's another easy way to protect your health: get your HPV shot! Find our if you're eligible at ImmunizeBC, and watch this short video about why the HPV vaccine is so important!]]> Health/Health Advocacy http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=435&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=435&website_id=1& Monday, 05 Mar 2012 09:00:00 -0700

The OWN Documentary Club premiere of 65_RedRoses is just ahead in May, and community screenings are being organized around Canada, so it's on our minds lately: what kind of impact will we see after the film airs? Eva's hope, and ours too, is that people will be inspired to take the simple step of registering as organ donors, and supporting cystic fibrosis research.

Serendipitously, while we were thinking about this question, an article was posted that answered it exactly! "Will Food Inc. Actually Change Your Life?" is from a study that asked what impact movies have on behaviour. Researchers found that people who see a documentary film, compared to people with similar values who don't see the film, are actually likely to take action and make changes!

The Norman Lear Research Centre conducted a study on Food Inc, by analyzing the shared traits and values of a Food inc audience against people with similar traits & values who hadn't seen the film. In other words, two groups of almost identical people differentiated by whether or not they had watched Food Inc. The group that had seen Food Inc had changed their food buying and shopping behaviour- just as the filmmakers intended!

This isn't too surprising to us- at Hello Cool World, we've been building campaigns that use effective storytelling to promote healthy behaviours for a long time. Other recent research, such as this article on storytelling and statistics, supports the theory that information conveyed through first-person stories and narratives is much more powerful than just information alone.

That's why Eva's story is so incredible. Not only was she a wonderful person, but through her experience the audience sees firsthand why organ donor registration is so important, and it motivates them to take action! This is supported by a post BC Transplant made on their Facebook Page a few days ago: organ donor registrations in Canada tripled after the broadcast of the original version of 65_RedRoses. We can't wait to see the impact of the new version when it reaches even more people! ]]> 65_RedRosesArts and Culture http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=434&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=434&website_id=1& Tuesday, 28 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700
Pictured: Lloyd Blankfein, currently the CEO & Chairman of Goldman Sachs since 2006 when Hank Paulson became Secretary of the Treasury.

In our world, societal catastrophe seems to strike like lightning. A bolt from the blue blindsides us; turning conventional wisdom on its head. Often it comes in a thunderous crack: in an assassination, or an explosive attack. Sometimes it comes with a crash, as another bubble bursts and collapses under the weight of its own corruption. These events shock our view of everything we thought we knew of our past, and of a future we thought we had built on foundations unshakable. But the startled paralysis of catastrophe wears off as surely as our illusions do, and we are left with a clear choice: change or break. 

The Corporation film exposed the machinations of these artificial entities that empower the most sociopathic tendencies in human nature. It showed in stark terms how the Corporate Identity relieves the conscience of the individuals on the inside of guilt. Corporations see no limits; it's only goal is to gain more, to grow bigger, to feed endlessly and explicitly without remorse like a machine. Even when massive amounts of wealth are attained their desire for conquest turns to control of the rule of law in order to amass even more. In the 1930's major corporations went for a millitary Coup to overthrow FDR, and failed. These same entities funded the rise of fascism in Europe simultaneously, and for a time succeeded.

]]> The Corporation FilmThe CorporationOccupy MovementPeace and Justice IssuesReform the corporation http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=433&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=433&website_id=1& Thursday, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Uts'am Community gathered at Roundhouse January 15, 2012 for  a Witness ceremony to mark this new phase of our work. Featuring the premiere of our book trailer! 

We're now fundraising for our book coming in 2013, published by Douglas & McIntyre. Please Join us!

Presales available NOW 

Please support our work by buying the book in advance, and consider adding a contribution to our eco-printing fund. Proceeds go the Uts'am Witness Society to be used for Fair Trade eco-printing of the book, engaging the community, expanding this website, and supporting exhibitions of the photo artwork featured in the book. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

]]> Uts'am Witness http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=432&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=432&website_id=1& Thursday, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 The day is finally here when we can announce the official US premiere of 65_RedRoses: Thursday, May 3rd at 9PM EST! We know many of you have been waiting a long time, so we are incredibly excited to finally have a date only ten weeks away!

65_RedRoses is a documentary about Eva Markvoort and her wait for a double-lung transplant. The new cut, which will be released later this year, shares the last chapter of her life and her message of hope and love.

Hello Cool World is the Canadian distributor of 65_RedRoses, and we also sell campaign materials to support the cause, available on our webstore in both Canada and the USA. We are committed to investing all the profits back into the 65_RedRoses campaign for organ donation and cystic fibrosis awareness, #4Eva.

Like 65_RedRoses #4Eva on Facebook to get all the updates about the film. It's a great way to ask us questions and learn about screenings.

We also have a 65_RedRoses mailing list, where we send out infrequent but important updates about DVD releases, screenings and more. Sign up here!]]> 65_RedRoseshealth promotion http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=430&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=430&website_id=1& Wednesday, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 In the final part of this series (read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3), guest blogger Jennifer Slattery combats the myth that Monsanto is not a monopoly, and provides some ways to fight back.

MYTH #4: MONSANTO IS NOT A MONOPOLY

In the Monsanto faqs section, under the link titled: Monsanto, the Government, Monopoly Claims,  the company sidesteps the question entirely by briskly restating that consumers have a choice not to buy the product. The fact that they don't even attempt to provide an actual answer to the question is very telling.

The issue is taken seriously by anti-trust groups, however:

"In a White Paper published today, the American Antitrust Institute analyzes the dismal state of competition in the transgenic seed industry. The analysis concludes that agricultural biotechnology giant Monsanto possesses the market power to frustrate competition in soybeans, cotton, and corn, potentially slowing innovation and adversely affecting prices, quality, and choices for farmers and ultimate consumers of vitally important commodities. Download the White Paper above. "Transgenic Seed Platforms: Competition Between a Rock and a Hard Place," concludes that antitrust enforcement and/or federal legislative relief is needed” said American Antitrust Institute’s vice president and senior fellow, Diana Moss in their report American Antitrust Institute Says Competition in the Transgenic Seed Industry is Impaired by Monsanto.

]]> GMOs and Food Safety http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=428&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=428&website_id=1& Friday, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 In Part 3 of this 4-Part Series (read Part 1 and Part 2), guest blogger Jennifer Slattery takes on the myth that GM crops will miraculously solve world hunger. Putting aside the fact that hunger is not a supply issue but a distribution problem, Jennifer shows how GM crops fail even to deliver on increasing yields.

MYTH #3: OPPOSING GM CROPS PREVENTS ENDING WORLD HUNGER

So come the answers from the green-washing corporatists: that we are stopping the end of world hunger by opposing GM crops. Yeah right guys, nice try. As if we’re dumb enough to believe that your terminator seed crops, (that destroy themselves after one season and never grow back), will feed more people than ones that grow back year after year naturally. The fact is that GM crops are less hearty even when they grow that one time. Yet Monsanto still brazenly claims on it's website that it's GM products increase crop yields across the board: 

"Mexico - yield increases with herbicide tolerant soybean of 9 percent.

Romania – yield increases with herbicide tolerant soybeans have averaged 31 percent.

Philippines – average yield increase of 15 percent with herbicide tolerant corn.

Philippines – average yield increase of 24 percent with insect resistant corn.

Hawaii – virus resistant papaya has increased yields by an average of 40 percent.

India – insect resistant cotton has led to yield increases on average more than 50 percent."

However, Monsanto's claims aren't in sync with the facts on the ground; where a thirteen year study showed that: 

"the UCS [Union of Concerned Scientists] report concluded that genetically engineering herbicide-tolerant soybeans and herbicide-tolerant corn has not increased yields. Insect-resistant corn, meanwhile, has improved yields only marginally. The increase in yields for both crops over the last 13 years, the report found, was largely due to traditional breeding or improvements in agricultural practices."

]]> GMOs and Food Safety http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=431&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=431&website_id=1& Friday, 17 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 It is with deep sadness that the Uts’am communitylearned about Ricky Lavallie’s passing on Jan 3^rd, 2012.

Ricky shared many weekends with us at Sims Creek, where he felt a rich sense of home and belonging, and where he was nourished by the clean waters and ancient rainforests of Nexw-ayantsut, in the traditional northern territory of the Squamish Nation. Thank you to Landsea Tours and our amazing team of volunteers like Shel Neufeld who always made sure Ricky had both transport and camping gear to make the journey to the Witness ceremonies and weekends. He was a joy to have around the campfires at night, with his gift for music he made us all smile with his singing, drumming and jokes. We all know that Ricky did not have an easy time on the streets and with health issues, struggled to live in the best possible way he could. He was a great teacher for us all, and through example, showed us how to become more human. ]]> Uts'am Witness http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=426&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=426&website_id=1& Wednesday, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 In Part 2 of this 4-Part Series, guest blogger Jennifer Slattery (read Part 1 here) delves into Monsanto's objections to the labelling of genetically modified foods. Some have suggested this has less to do with fear of consumer reprisal, and more to do with ensuring any adverse health effects are not traceable back to them, with all the legal liability that comes with it.

MYTH #2: CONSUMER CHOICE AS REGULATION

Monsanto's explanation for why we cannot have our food properly labelled, according to their website's article What’s the Problem with Labeling Genetically-Modified (GM/GMO) Foods? is insulting to say the least:

"Mandatory labeling of food containing GM ingredients might seem like a no-brainer. However, once you consider the facts, it becomes clear there is no sense in mandatory GMO labeling." 

Is it clear to you? Me neither. This statement contains the logical fallacy of presenting the company's self-serving opinion as if it were a fact. Saying unequivocally that "once you consider the facts, it becomes clear there is no sense in mandatory GMO labeling" is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who reads it. We want to know what is in our food, whether it's harmful or not. So what "facts" could possibly change our opinion that knowledge of exactly what we are putting in our bodies is worth having?

Frankencorn, courtesy of Kevin McCarthy

]]> GMOs and Food Safety http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=429&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=429&website_id=1& Monday, 13 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Are you a woman 25 or older who is actively dating or in a new relationship? Take the DatingConfidential.ca survey and win an iPad2! By taking part in the study, you could help make the dating world safer for women—and maybe even more fun!

]]> Pleasure ManagementHello Cool WorldSexual Health http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=425&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=425&website_id=1& Friday, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 This 4-Part Series by Guest Blogger Jennifer Slattery puts Monsanto squarely in the corporate crosshairs. Voted as the worst corporation of 2010 in Corporate Accountability's Corporate Hall of Shame, Monsanto's efforts to conceal the health and safety concerns around Bovine Growth Hormone's inclusion in milk was featured in The Corporation.

Dispelling the Myths, exposing the Misdeeds, and taking down the Monopoly that seeks to control our food supply

The American people are sick of Monsanto Mr. President; figuratively, literally, however you want to look at it. As this online petition, that has quickly accumulated four hundred thousand signatures, should clearly be telling you: We don’t want Monsanto on our plates, infecting our farmlands, and especially not in our Government. 

You were elected, in part, because of your pledge in the 2008 campaign to keep your administration free of lobbyists, and yet you have appointed Michael Taylor, a former VP and lobbyist for Monsanto as senior advisor to the commissioner at the FDA. Michael Taylor is the same man who oversaw the FDA policy that allowed genetically modified foods into our food supply in the first place. He has been bouncing back and forth between the regulators and the regulated for decades; the epitome of crony capitalism's revolving door in Washington. First he was Monsanto's attorney, then the policy chief at the FDA, and then again rejoined Monsanto to be rewarded with the position of vice president and chief lobbyist, and now back at the FDA. It's enough to make us sick; again, literally. 

So now the only protection of our health is given to this White House resident lobbyist from a food mutating monopoly? This is the best person to entrust the responsibility that labels contain clear and accurate information (like whether or not they contain genetically modified ingredients) when the company has made it painfully clear that it opposes such safeguards? Is this not a policy that lets profit motivations trump human health concerns?

So here is where our first myth in the web of Monsanto's defensive lies comes in: 

MYTH #1: GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS ARE NOT HARMFUL TO HUMAN HEALTH 

]]> GMOs and Food SafetyOccupy MovementThe Corporation Film http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=427&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=427&website_id=1& Friday, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Thanks to everyone who came out last night and made the Orgasm Inc. screening a huge success! We had a full house and as you can see from the photo, a great discussion afterwards with the panel of speakers!

This morning we were even more delighted to see an article by Erin Ellis on the front page of the Vancouver Sun about Orgasm Inc and Dating Confidential! You can read it here.

Here's some of the other great coverage of the event:

UBC, UVIC experts to discuss the medicalization of female sexuality (UBC Public Affairs)

Study examines adult women, sex, and risk (Georgia Straight)

We were also pleased to give away a basket of goodies, including Good Clean Love products and an Orgasm Inc DVD, to one lucky attendee!]]> Local Events and Partieshealth promotionHealth/Health AdvocacySexual Health http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=424&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=424&website_id=1& Tuesday, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Orgasm Inc screening is today! We're so excited, but we're still recruiting survey participants until the end of April, and you can help us by spreading the word about the survey! If you're on Twitter, you can share any of these tweets to get the word out:

Tweets about the screening:

@DatingConf is out to discover how women's motivations for sex affect their decisions and behaviours in bed bit.ly/zkcnZr  

"The medicalization of female sexuality—and the misinformation surrounding it as a result—has never been more prevalent." @georgiastraight  

@clmasaro "I’m hoping the @DatingConf study will provide some insight into STI education.” Contribute to #UBC #research: http://bit.ly/qEHEBs 

@georgiastraight Thanks for the article on our survey bit.ly/zkcnZr Please RT and help us get more surveys filled out bit.ly/qEHEBs   

RT @clmasaro: This @Orgasm_Inc article t.co/axWyNKRR is timely considering our screening & panel discussion t.co/PAEyj6rK 

Tweets about the survey:

Help us with our study on the sexual attitudes and actions of women aged 25 and up bit.ly/qEHEBs  

How do new ways of communicating affect intimacy & sexual practices for women in the digital era? Take our survey! bit.ly/qEHEBs 

@DatingConf & @Cindylmasaro are developing a better understanding of sexuality and sexual behaviour. Take part in the study bit.ly/qEHEBs 

@DatingConf examines how older women build relationships and take risks. If you are a female 25+ from N.A., take our survey! bit.ly/qEHEBs   

R U a woman 25+ who is single and #dating? Take our #sexualhealth study! http://ow.ly/8AT14 #sexresearch #STI

]]> health promotionHealth/Health AdvocacyLocal Events and PartiesSexual Health http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=423&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=423&website_id=1& Monday, 06 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 This Thursday, February 9th, Hello Cool World will be hosting a free screening of the great documentary Orgasm Inc!

If you're just hearing about it now, we're sorry to tell you that all seats are now reserved, but you can buy a copy of Orgasm Inc on our webstore (Canadian and US).

Following the film, there will be a great panel discussion taking on the topics in the film, and featuring experts in sexual health and sexuality. To learn about the panelists, check out the event e-flyer.

Dating Confidential, a research study that we have been collaborating with for the past several months, is also a sponsor of the event. The study, by PhD candidate and Hello Cool World research associate Cindy Masaro, examines the way older women are building relationships and taking risks. If you are over 25, female and living in North America, please see if you are eligible to take the study!

This past Thursday, there was a great write-up by Gail Johnson in the Georgia Straight about Dating Confidential and Orgasm Inc. It is a great read for anyone interested in the marketing of female sexuality and how studies like Dating Confidential and films like Orgasm Inc are crucial to developing a better public understanding of sexuality and sexual behaviour. The misinformation and myths about how women "should" feel or behave sexually are not only inaccurate but can also have negative health consequences.]]> Local Events and PartiesSexual Health http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=422&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=422&website_id=1& Saturday, 04 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 We're looking forward to the free screening of Orgasm Inc this Thursday at UBC. All spaces are now reserved — thanks to everyone who RSVP'd!

In addition to the great film and our panel of speakers, one lucky recepient will receive this gift basket! It includes a DVD of Orgasm Inc, and a selection of our favourite Good Clean Love products, as well as some Valentine's Day treats. We're already jealous of whoever wins the draw!

Good Clean Love, a small company in Oregon that produces all natural love products, recently wrote a great post about Orgasm Inc on their blog. It's an excellent breakdown of the issues in the film, and reflects on the truth that sexuality and desire are complicated issues that cannot be reduced or simplified to a daily pill.

]]> Local Events and PartiesSexual HealthSexuality Rights http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=421&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=421&website_id=1& Friday, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Hello Cool World has been pleased to offer our Canadian shoppers Good Clean Love products in the Hello Cool World webstore since December. In our work we strive to be as sex-positive as possible and, as our Creative Director Kat likes to say, we are in the business of "pleasure management." So when we connected with Wendy Strgar, an Oregon-based entrepreneur and loveologist, it was a perfect match.

Good Clean Love makes natural, organic products to enhance intimacy and loving relationships. On her blog, the Good Clean Love Daily, Wendy addresses questions and topics around building and sustaining healthy relationships. "True happiness comes as a result of sustained emotional investment in other people," writes Wendy.

Her products, including love oils, body candy and lubricants, bring lovers closer together. "A sex life is actually a fairly accurate reflection of your overall health. Hundreds of studies link a satisfying sex life with reduced stress, illness and depression. Sexual activity is even associated with longevity."]]> Sexual HealthSexuality RightsHello Cool WorldPleasure Management http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=420&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=420&website_id=1& Sunday, 29 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 check out our Occupy-themed current e'Zine

Jennifer Slattery Reporting on Occupy Oakland

(image via Twitter credited to GlennShootsPeople's Flicker account)

Violent police clashes again rocked the city of Oakland January 28th (#J28) as Occupy Oakland protestors attempted to occupy a vacant building. Their announcement, via a letter to the Mayor referring to the action as Move-In Day, declares their intent to use the building:

“As a social center, convergence center, headquarters, free kitchen, and place of housing for Occupy Oakland. Like so many other people, Occupy Oakland is homeless while buildings remain vacant and unused. For Occupy this is in large part because of yourselves, having evicted us twice from public space that was rightfully ours. For others it is because of the housing bubble, predatory lending, the perpetual crises of capitalism, and far reaching histories of imperialism and systemic violence.”

By the end of a long day of marches and failed occupation attempts, three hundred people, from a crowd that swelled at times to 2,000, were arrested. Much of the corporate media reporting on the start of the violence points the finger squarely at the protestors who are alleged to have begun the violence by pelting officers with rocks, bottles and even Improvised Explosive Devices. The claim that peaceful protestors used IEDs is on it’s face false and inflammatory, as first hand accounts and live streaming video footage of the event seems to show that protestors only threw some debris as a reaction to being pelted with explosive percussion grenades, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sFaviIoy4rg

Via Occupy Oakland’s twitter feed:
#OccupyOakland #OO OPD claim they ordered us to disperse, after blocking us in & arresting us. Chanting "this is a hostage situation."

"For their first attempt at a kettle, the cops charged the group with police lines from the front and back. They ran towards us aggressively. Us being 1000+ peaceful marching protesters. The group was forced to move up a side street. The police moved quickly to surround the entire area; they formed a line on every street that the side street connected to. Police state status: very efficient. They kettled almost the entire protest in the park near the Fox theater. AFTERWARDS, as in after they surrounded everyone, they declared it to be an unlawful assembly BUT OFFERED NO EXIT ROUTE. Gas was used, could of been tear or smoke gas."

Similar claims that law enforcement "had to deploy gas in order to stop the crowd and people from pelting us with bottles and rocks." after the violent clearing of the original Occupy Oakland camp had to be walked back, because there was no evidence that any such violence by Occupy had occurred:

“Oakland PD's Chief of Staff, Sgt. Chris Bolton conceded that the department was unable, at this time, to substantiate claims made by Jordan that gas was deployed in order to protect law enforcement personnel from violent demonstrators, despite the Chief's unqualified claim that evening that "the deployment of gas was necessary to protect our officers and protect property around the area and to protect injuries to others as well."
Instead, Bolton softened Jordan's initial claim. The sergeant described it as "the Chief's preliminary belief.”
]]> Occupy MovementOccupy Your FutureCorporate Personhood http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=419&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=419&website_id=1& Friday, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700

The mainstream media may try to ignore it, but the end of corporate controlled government is on the horizon. People are protesting in huge numbers across America; the real citizens have united, and when that happens change is inevitable. They have occupied the streets, the courts, and come November: the voting booths.

Every day more cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have demanded and end to Corporate personhood. A constitutional amendment has been introduced in the Senate, and soon the voting public will have their chance to cast Corporate Personhood into the wastebasket of history.

There are many fronts where you can join other citizens in taking control of our democracy back. The Amend 2012 campaign is attempting to put a "voter instruction" initiative on ballots in all 50 states that, if approved, would instruct Congress to adopt an amendment making it clear that corporations are not people and money is not speech. Voter instructions were a tactic used by the term-limit movement, and also by progressives who pushed for the 17th Amendment (which allowed voters to directly elect senators to Congress). If our predecessors could do it, so can we!

]]> Corporate PersonhoodMove to AmendCitizens United Ruling http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=418&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=418&website_id=1& Friday, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 We've (finally!) released another issue of our News of the Cool e'Zine. The release is timed to coincide with today's Occupy the Courts national day of protest, and includes articles on Joel Bakan's new book — Childhood Under Siege — with a review by Occupy Parenting's Eric Curren, as well as pieces on tackling corporate giants and social branding. We also did a short Occupy-themed vlog that ties it all together. Check it out below and please share it!

In the vlog, Joel Bakan talks about corporate personhood and how the Occupy movement is really a call to be a citizen, with all the rights and duties that entails. Hello Cool World founder Katherine Dodds discusses how branding can be used for social good and not just to maximize profits, and Move to Amend's Steve Justino gives us some background on Occupy The Courts. 

]]> Citizens United RulingCorporate PersonhoodHello Cool WorldOccupy MovementOccupy Your FutureThe Corporation http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=417&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=417&website_id=1& Friday, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 We've (finally!) released another issue of our News of the Cool e'Zine. The release is timed to coincide with today's Occupy the Courts national day of protest, and includes articles on Joel Bakan's new book — Childhood Under Siege — with a review by Occupy Parenting's Eric Curren, as well as pieces on tackling corporate giants and social branding. We also did a short Occupy-themed vlog that ties it all together. Check it out below and please share it!

In the vlog, Joel Bakan talks about corporate personhood and how the Occupy movement is really a call to be a citizen, with all the rights and duties that entails. Katherine Dodds discusses how branding can be used for social good and not just to maximize profits, and Move to Amend's Steve Justino gives us some background on Occupy The Courts. 

]]> Occupy Your FutureOccupy MovementThe Corporation FilmCorporate Personhood http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=416&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=416&website_id=1& Thursday, 19 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 On Tuesday, I read about a national study to survey youth in Canada called the Sexual Health Indicators Survey. The study includes youth aged 18-20 from all around the country, with the aim of increasing knowledge to create "more effective strategies, policies and programs to promote sexual health and to prevent sexually transmitted infections."

18 to 20 year olds report the most sexually transmitted infections among youth (15 to 24-year-olds); according to the article, they make up 80% of chlamydia and 70% of gonohrrea infections among that age group.

While this is definitely important research, and youth deserve attention and services, it's hard to recall seeing an equivalent article discussing the need for surveying older adults about their sexual health, or developing programs for their needs. STI risk doesn't go away just because you graduate from college; anyone who is having sex needs to be aware of sexual health matters.]]> Dating ConfidentialSexual Health http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=415&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=415&website_id=1& Sunday, 15 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 Today  is the first event for  the Uts'am Witness Society since the project finished its work in Sims. Come see the premiere of our trailer, to promote the upcoming book.

This is the beginning new work,  to extend the reach of the project to all four directions. A part of this new work will be the book about the project which will be launching in 2013. We are also hoping to gather stories from those who were part of the past Uts'am Witness project.

Please join us from 2- 4pm Janurary 15, 2012  for a Coast Salish witness ceremony, the debut of our book trailer, and to find out more about the new work ahead!

NOTE: this is the project launch, not the book launch. Pre-sales of the book will support the Uts'am Witness Society. The book will be available in 2013.

What's Next?

We are starting to raise money to build a more interactive website, and to subsidize the printing in order to keep the price of the book accessible to everyone while having it printed in Canada in an environmentally friendly way.

How to help!

Pre-buy the book to support the project. Buy more than one! All proceeds to go the Uts'am Witness Society to develop the website and for eco-printing of the book

Join the mail list to be kept informed on the project

Like us on Facebook

Follow on Twitter

Were you part of the Uts'sm camping weekends?

If yes tell us your stories! Comment on this blog, post to facebook, or put in the feedback form when you sign up to our list!

]]> Uts'am Witness http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=414&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=414&website_id=1& Thursday, 12 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 On February 9th, Vancouverites will have a chance to see the hit documentary Orgasm Inc and a panel discussion with leading researchers in health, sexuality and gender studies from UBC and the University of Victoria!

The event is taking place at the Royal Bank Theatre in the Chan Centre, at the UBC Point Grey campus, and Dating Confidential is proud to be a sponsor of the event. Attendees also have the chance to win a great gift basket from Good Clean Love!

In the film, director Liz Canner "uncovers a plot- would the pharmaceutical industry take advantage of women's pleasure in pursuit of their billion-dollar profits? The film presents a powerful look inside the medical industry and the way it's reshaping our ideas about health, illness, desire and... orgasm."

For more information about the screening, visit the Facebook Event Page or check out the e-flyer! If you would like to attend, RSVP by email. Your attendance on the Facebook Page will not be counted as an official RSVP.]]> Dating Confidentialhealth promotionSexual Health http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=413&website_id=1& http://www.hellocoolworld.com/blog.cfm?view=BLOG_POST&blog_id=413&website_id=1& Wednesday, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0700 On the eve of the second anniversary of the Citizens United ruling this January 21, 2012, MoveToAmend.org is calling for Americans to Occupy the Courts. This one-day occupation in front of federal courthouses across the country will challenge the US Supreme Court's decison to let corporations flood money into political campaigns, and the notion that corporate "persons" should be given the same constitutional rights as individuals.