Crowdsourcing the Meaning of Life

Last updated on: August 3, 2012 at 7:45 am by Rebecca Cusey

Crowdsourcing the Meaning of Life 2012-08-03T07:45:58-06:00 Rebecca Cusey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Marc Erlbaum has an audacious dream.

He would like to get closer to figuring out the meaning of life. And he’d like to span the globe via social media to do it.

“With all that’s going on with communal and collaborative abilities of the web,” he told me, “We ought to be able to communally solve problems that have eluded us until now.”

The filmmaker behind such positive movies as Everything Must Go starring Will Ferrell envisions a web community of positive content produced by both professional and everyday videographers.

To that end, he’s started a web campaign at LifeMeansWhat.com . With $103,000 of their $150,000 goal raised, they have just a little way to go before the second phase of the project. “It’s been amazing,” said Erlbaum, “That people for whom there’s no profit motive are contributing to something they believe in.”

Once the money is raised, they will ask filmmakers to create short films about the meaning of life, awarding microgrants to the winning proposals.

With the content the filmmakers create, Erlbaum plans a web channel full of stories, both fiction and non fiction, with optimistic, hopeful themes. The channel will also include user generated content, to create a conversation between filmmakers and the public.

Like any visionary, Erlbaum hopes the product changes the world. “We are affected quite significantly by what we watch. We want to change society by creating positive content.”

By having that content come from a global perspective, he hopes to get some answers to life’s deepest questions. “If I’m giving my perspective, that’s limited and parochial. But hundreds of people contributing different views? Maybe we’ll create some universal perspectives.”

For more information, you can check out LifeMeansWhat.com or visit their Facebook page.

Previous Post

August 2, 2012

Review: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days' More than Just Laughs

Next Post

August 7, 2012 An Object Lesson and Breaking Bad's Next Move

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Becky's Picks Children's Movies DVD releases Entertainment News Faith on Film Featured Hunger Games In Theaters Interviews Life, Etc. Mixed Nuts Movie Reviews Poliflix Scroogewatch slider Television Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 April 2011 March 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Daniel's three friends refuse to worship, resulting in their persecution?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A cedar pole A Persian king A golden image A bronze snake