Saving the world via the internet.

So today has largely been devoted to Myles Dyer's StickAID project, which is a 24-hour live streaming benefit show that he does every year, this being the fifth, I think. This year, Charlie McDonnell is co-hosting, hence my interest. :D I never intended to stay up all night and day watching this, but that is what happened.

StickAID (http://stickam.com/blade376 - streaming live until about 7 AM EST) is basically this: Myles Dyer, adorable British internet persona, joined by several more-adorable equally-British internet personas and friends of his, is doing ridiculous things for 24 hours straight with no sleep while people all over the world watch, and donate to UNICEF. His goal is 10,000 pounds, and as of 6:27 PM EST, they already have 9,000. It's been 12 hours nearly, and they have nearly raised the entire goal amount, and this is the entire point that Myles hoped to make by doing this online streaming thing: the internet is a powerful tool, and in such a connected time, there is so much that we can do.

UNICEF, in case you don't know, is a world-wide organization that helps needy kids in all countries, which is exactly why Myles chose it. It's something everyone in the world can donate to, and it's something the whole world can benefit from. Five pounds, ten dollars, one fast-food meal to us can be a life-changer to a kid thousands of miles away.

This has been my first year watching StickAID, and it's been pretty amazing. I donated 5 pounds, which equals about 8 dollars, and I've been tweeting about it all morning and afternoon. It's been such a cool experience, because there were times when there were over 10,000 people watching the show at one time, all over the world, in all time zones. There were times when everyone was tweeting and retweeting, trying to make #stickaid trend, and succeeding. It was just this huge group feeling, even though it was 10,000 people across the entire world, and it was so cool. It's still going on, obviously, but I'm updating around the halfway mark, so I'm just talking about earlier this morning. They still have all kinds of crazy challenges and ridiculous stunts to do, so if you're bored later and you have a chance, check them out. And if you're not bored, but you want to do something to help needy kids everywhere, please donate. Even 5 dollars will be a huge help to some poor kid.

Here is the link to donate (the link to watch the streaming video is above): http://www.justgiving.com/stickaid2010/

You can use Paypal or a debit/credit card, and Americans can donate even though it says pounds. It's a very easy, simple process, and it will take you five minutes to save someone's life.

EDIT - WE DID IT! We reached 10,000 pounds! IN ONLY TWELVE HOURS! The internet is truly an amazing thing! Oh my god, this is so awesome. Keep donating, please! Just because we reached our goal doesn't mean all the needy kids will be taken care of. Donate as much as you can! Be a part of this awesomeness!