Yes, it’s Monday. And sometimes Monday is a bitch. But before we all get too carried away by our First World Problems, take a look at this extraordinarily powerful video.
It’s tipped the whole First World Problem meme on its head by getting Haitian adults and kids to read out First World Problems in a bit to remind us all that there are millions of people living in countries where the things we bitch about are, frankly, absurd when food and water are a luxury.
Take a look:
It’s called the First World Problems Anthem and its made for a charity called Water is Life.
It’s tough sometimes. Being the citizen of a developed nation AND ALL.
Which is exactly why this video is so utterly clever.
The Huffington Post reports:
The video’s concept — taking what has become a popular meme theme and using it to expose the irony of the #FirstWorldProblems Twitter hashtag — is interesting and potentially unique.
This is the first time an advertiser has attempted to eliminate, rather than promote a trending hashtag, according to a press release from DDB NY.
“DDB NY and a film crew travelled to Haiti to film a variety of locals reading aloud a series of #FirstWorldProblem tweets and providing brief commentary on the Twitter users’ “struggles.” Each resulting response video is now being tweeted to the original #FirstWorldProblems author with a simple call to action: Donate to help solve real problems.”
Matt Eastwood, Chief Creative Officer of DDB NY, told Fast Company that his company is happy to support an organization like Water is Life.
“It’s something that we are passionate about. I love doing work that can make the world a better place–it’s a nice change from selling burgers,” he said. “I’m hoping that [people who discover the campaign] will go to waterislife.com and get involved in some way, or at the very least donate at their website.
What first world problem do you need to rethink?
Comments
18 Comments so far
I think you made the point of the video obsolete when you finished the post with “What first world problem do you need to rethink?”
Wouldn’t it have been better to ask what we need to stop complaining about or feel more grateful for?
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I would rather see the same type of video with Australian’s doing it hard
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That’s the point. We don’t do it hard.
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Been to any remote communities lately? They are certainly doing it hard.
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Didn’t change my day or even highlight any issues, instead I found it silly and even patronizing.
In other worlds, didn’t change my day, hour or even minute.
What did change my day was the patients I was looking after.
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Sometimes when i am having a poor me moment, i remind myself that 51 percent of the world do not have access to a proper toilet.
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Wow, powerful!
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I have got to be honest…this video feels a little patronising.
I think most people can appreciate the immense struggles that the third world faces.
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Sigh. Where do I begin with this video? I don’t like it, I’ll start there.
People who use the phrase “first world problems” are already aware that what they’re complaining about is rather petty. If they weren’t, it would make no sense for them to use the expression, which is an acknowledgement that you only really have the opportunity to complain about your wi-fi or your frappuccino because you are, at least in some small way, privileged.
We all complain about things that aren’t really a big deal. But what is this video trying to tell us, exactly? That we shouldn’t, because there are bigger problems in the world? There’s always someone who has it worse than you but the fact that there are bigger problems doesn’t negate the existence of smaller ones. And complaining about those smaller issues doesn’t mean you don’t care about those suffering through worse.
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Love the video.
I thought though, the phrase and hashtag ‘first world problems’ was an attempt to humorise/ trivialise these problems themsleves, thereby providing perspective. So I am not sure why twitter author of this hashtag was called up on it by the author of the video.
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My kids complain that their Foxtel outlet in their rumpus room doesnt have IQ. I must get them to watch this movie.
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My heart hurt when i watched this! Truly a reminder of perspective.
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This is utterly brilliant.
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Awesome ad! Water is important and so is shelter and food and my personal one – education.
Thursday is the first United Nations Day of the Girl. Do something by helping a girl you know or even one you don’t.
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The video is actually by Water is Life, not Water4Life
http://www.waterislife.com
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Moving across town for my dream job, FWP!
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This reminds me of the Skeptical Third World Kid memes which is also a massive wake up call.
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Can ads win Oscars? This one should.
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