He Says His Name Is Shawn, But I’m Pretty Sure It’s Thomas Edison Jr. Jr. Jr.

These clever inventors are killing two birds — staving off a global energy crisis and solving the problem of having to find an outlet to plug in your cellphone every half-hour — with one stone. OK, one of those birds is bigger than the other. But I repeat: These guys seem set to knock ’em dead.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/he-says-his-name-is-shawn-but-im-pretty-sure-its-thomas-edison-jr-jr-jr

He Says His Name Is Shawn, But I’m Pretty Sure It’s Thomas Edison Jr. Jr. Jr.

environment, environment-energy, inspiring, science-or-technology, science-technology, video

An artist reimagined Bratz dolls as iconic women. The results? So cool.

Are toys just … toys? Or do they have a bigger effect?

It’s a question artist and mom Wendy Tsao asked when she learned about the controversy swirling around Bratz dolls.

Photo by Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images.

Some parents and psychology groups have argued the dolls’ hyper-sexualized appearance isn’t a great influence on the young girls who play with them.

“I considered the point of view that playing with Bratz dolls or Barbie dolls does not affect a child’s body image,” Tsao told Upworthy.
“This led me to wonder whether a doll does have an impact on a child’s view of herself and of the world.”

That wonder sparked the project that’s now making waves across the web.

Tsao created “Mighty Dolls,” an art series that transforms Bratz dolls from their original state into iconic women.

Inspired by artist
Sonja Singh, Tsao took the concept of reimagining Bratz and added her own twist: “Mighty Dolls” are what happens when you turn Bratz dolls into powerful, influential women.

What would happen if a kid had, say, a little Malala Yousafzai to pal around with?

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai became a champion for global girls education after being shot by the Taliban in 2012 for simply trying to attend school. Learn more about her here. Photo used with permission from Wendy Tsao.

Or the Harry Potter author/Queen of Twitter J.K. Rowling?

What if a kid became besties with a mini Jane Goodall?

If anyone has built up some good karma, it has to be animal-loving, peace-making Jane Goodall. Learn more about her work here. Photo used with permission from Wendy Tsao.

Or helped make the world a better place with Waris Dirie?

Read more: http://www.upworthy.com/an-artist-reimagined-bratz-dolls-as-iconic-women-the-results-so-cool?c=tpstream

An artist reimagined Bratz dolls as iconic women. The results? So cool.

body-image, diversity-and-equality, gender-equality, health, inspiring, multi-item

Girl With Multiple Sclerosis Is One Of The Best Runners In America And Will Inspire You

This week old ESPN short film has inspired viewers, and has already amassed over 4 million hits! Fourteen year old Kayla Montgomery was playing soccer when she noticed something wasn’t right with her legs. She started feeling a weird tingling feeling, and was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a serious autoimmune nerve disease. There is no cure. But that didn’t stop Kayla from becoming one of America’s top long distance runners. Her determination and drive is guaranteed to inspire you. 

 

Read more: http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2014/11/28/girl-with-multiple-sclerosis-is-one-of-the-best-runners-in-america/

Girl With Multiple Sclerosis Is One Of The Best Runners In America And Will Inspire You

documentary, emotional, ESPN, inspirational, inspiring, multiple sclerosis, running, serious., short film, sports

For Anyone Who's Ever Looked In The Mirror And Wondered, 'Do I Really Look That Way?'

My kids love looking at themselves in the mirror. They smile and make funny faces and generally think their reflections are awesome. I suspect many of us felt that way when we were very young. But over time, that changes for some of us. How can we start seeing ourselves differently? I love this whole video, but the second half is the best.

Note: There is a scene containing brief nudity.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/for-anyone-whos-ever-looked-in-the-mirror-and-wondered-do-i-really-look-that-way

For Anyone Who"s Ever Looked In The Mirror And Wondered, "Do I Really Look That Way?"

body-image, health, inspiring, video

Blind Man Is Also A Card Trick Master

Don’t let Richard Turner fool you.

Though he became blind as a young child, he has truly mastered playing cards. He can perform mind blowing magic card tricks, cheat even the sharpest gamblers right in front of their noses, and more. 

“For years, I practiced 10 to 20 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

His lesson for all: choose an art and master it. 

“No matter what hand you are dealt, let no one tell you what can’t be done,” says an inspired Charlie Rose of CBS This Morning.  

 

Read more: http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2014/02/12/blind-man-is-also-a-card-trick-master/

Blind Man Is Also A Card Trick Master

blind, blind man, human interest story, inspirational, inspiring, magic trick, playing cards, serious., uplifting

The One Thing You Can Do That Corporations Still Can't

Until the early 20th century, more than half the country wasn’t allowed to vote. We’ve won so many battles for the right to vote, but in 2008 almost half of us chose not to. Share this video to remind someone what they need to do this November 6.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/the-one-thing-you-can-do-that-corporations-still-cant

The One Thing You Can Do That Corporations Still Can"t

elections-voting, inspiring, politics, video

A Great Quote I’mma Keep In The Back Of My Mind For When I Feel Like Giving Up On Our Country

When the lights come on in a culture or even just a little village, often there is no way to turn them back off. It’s happened in nearly every corner of every country of the world, and sometimes, it has to happen over and over again until it sticks. Because yeah, there really is no going back.

There is a movie about Cesar Chavez and his life in theaters this year, and it’s something I have been looking forward to for a long time. History is my thang, y’all, especially labor history, and this looks to be amazing. More about that below the graphic, if you’re interested.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/a-great-quote-imma-keep-in-the-back-of-my-mind-for-when-i-feel-like-giving-up-on-our-country

A Great Quote I’mma Keep In The Back Of My Mind For When I Feel Like Giving Up On Our Country

community, entertainment-culture, famous people, graphic-quote, human-condition-or-culture, inspiration-general, inspirational, inspiring

It Doesn’t Take A Nurse To Know Kids’ Hair Shouldn’t Fall Out. But It Took This Nurse To Stop It.

Margaret Mead said it best: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Read more: http://upworthy.com/it-doesn-t-take-a-nurse-to-know-kids-hair-shouldn-t-fall-out-but-it-took-this-nurse-to-stop-it-5

It Doesn’t Take A Nurse To Know Kids’ Hair Shouldn’t Fall Out. But It Took This Nurse To Stop It.

corporate-power-broken-system, economy., environment, environment-energy, government, inspiring, politics, video

On Mother's Day, She Was On The Bathroom Floor, Hungover, And Pregnant

You might not laugh very much and you might not cry, but I promise this incredibly inspiring talk will make you think really hard and see life a little differently.

At 3:40, she says something so obvious that I’ve not thought about — something that’s going to make me change how I parent my kids. I didn’t see what happened at 5:43 coming, and I certainly didn’t expect her to react the way she did. And at 10:39, I knew her life would never be the same.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/on-mothers-day-she-was-on-the-bathroom-floor-hungover-and-pregnant-7

On Mother"s Day, She Was On The Bathroom Floor, Hungover, And Pregnant

community, human-condition-or-culture, inspiring, parenting, parenting-children-general, video

A Pep Talk From Kid President And Grover

Soul Pancake‘s Kid President has done a lot in his career. But now he has officially ‘made it’ as he was lucky enough to have Sesame Street’s Grover guest star on his show. The two talk about helping the homeless with Socktober, and offer a little pep talk for inspiration. 

 

Read more: http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2014/10/11/a-pep-talk-from-kid-president-and-grover/

A Pep Talk From Kid President And Grover

cute, funny, grover, homeless, inspirational, inspiring, Kid President, pep talk, sesame street, Soul Pancake

When A Golfer Dumped A Bucket Of Ice Water On His Head, I Bet He Didn't See This Coming

17 million videos shared. 10 billion views. $113.6 million donated to ALS research and treatment.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/when-a-golfer-dumped-a-bucket-of-ice-water-on-his-head-i-bet-he-didnt-see-this-coming

When A Golfer Dumped A Bucket Of Ice Water On His Head, I Bet He Didn"t See This Coming

community, general-international, human-condition-or-culture, inspiring, international, internet, science-technology, video

Entire Boston Stadium Sings National Anthem At Bruins-Sabres

The entire country is still in a state of shock and mourning after the terror bombing attack at the Boston Marathon. But Americans will always persevere. 

This was evident at the Bruins-Sabres hockey game on Wednesday. Singer Rene Rancourt started the National Anthem, but quickly, the entire stadium took over, singing as one voice. Not one dry eye.

Already, the video posted by specmotors has over 625,000 hits.  

 

Read more: http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2013/04/18/entire-boston-stadium-sings-national-anthem-at-bruins-sabres/

Entire Boston Stadium Sings National Anthem At Bruins-Sabres

america, Boston, bruins, emotional, Hockey, inspirational, inspiring, music, national anthem, patriotic, singing, sports, stadium, USA

The Sun Has A Bright Idea For A Bunch Of People Who Are Stuck In The Dark

Ever have someone tell you that they work better at night than they do during the day? Or maybe you’ve crammed for a test (or most of them) into the wee hours of the morning? It’s pretty great that that’s an option, but it’s also easy to forget that it’s not for more than a billion people out there. They’re missing one major thing.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/the-sun-has-a-bright-idea-for-a-bunch-of-people-who-are-stuck-in-the-dark

The Sun Has A Bright Idea For A Bunch Of People Who Are Stuck In The Dark

community, economy-inequality-poverty, economy., environment, environment-energy, general-international, human-condition-or-culture, inspiring, international, video

She’s Got Some Strong Words For Her 16-Year-Old Self, And They’re Hilarious and True

Anna Akana’s got some strong words for herself. Her 16-year-old self. She’s learned a lot since then, and only a time machine would make it possible for her to lay all this good truth on her younger self. Oh, well, she can just send this tough-love video.

Warning: Straight talk sometimes requires NSFW language.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/shes-got-some-strong-words-for-her-16-year-old-self-and-theyre-hilarious-and-true

She’s Got Some Strong Words For Her 16-Year-Old Self, And They’re Hilarious and True

body-image, community, entertainment-culture, fashion-design, health, human-condition-or-culture, inspiration-general, inspirational, inspiring, video

She Was One Of 7 Kids. Her Parents Had No Idea What She Would Grow Up To Become.

Val Demings isn’t just important because she was the first do something. How she did it matters. And so do her phenomenal results.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/she-was-one-of-7-kids-her-parents-had-no-idea-what-she-would-grow-up-to-become

She Was One Of 7 Kids. Her Parents Had No Idea What She Would Grow Up To Become.

American Family Insurance, gender, gender-equality, guns-crime, guns-violence-cops-prisons, inspiring, video

If Science Got Ruined For You In High School, Let This Comic Bring It Back

That first line could have gone either way, but I’m glad it turned out to be a poem about science. Think about all the great stuff science can accomplish. Now double it. Now get to work! Science doesn’t do itself.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/if-science-got-ruined-for-you-in-high-school-let-this-comic-bring-it-back

If Science Got Ruined For You In High School, Let This Comic Bring It Back

cartoon, inspiration-general, inspirational, inspiring, internet, science-or-technology, science-technology

Researchers Find That Chimps Are Better People Than A Lot Of Actual People

If you take a look at politics, it’s easy to see that humans are very much a what-are-you-gonna-do-for-ME kind of species. People usually make decisions based on what they’re going to get out of it. Apparently chimps aren’t quite the same. I was really blown away by the chimps[1:41-2:08]. Does anyone know the best place to find a chimpanzee friend?

Read more: http://upworthy.com/researchers-find-that-chimps-are-better-people-than-a-lot-of-actual-people

Researchers Find That Chimps Are Better People Than A Lot Of Actual People

community, human-condition-or-culture, inspiration-general, inspirational, inspiring, parenting, parenting-children-general, video

Her Parents Have No Idea What She's About To Do On Camera, But She Hopes They Understand Why

These students know the response they’re probably going to get. They’re prepared for the really serious consequences. And they’re even expecting some of you, dear readers, to say harsh and ignorant things. But I know you better than that. I’m expecting many of you to hear the courage, truth, and inspiration in their stories — and to figure out how you can help.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/her-parents-have-no-idea-what-shes-about-to-do-on-camera-but-she-hopes-they-understand-why

Her Parents Have No Idea What She"s About To Do On Camera, But She Hopes They Understand Why

immigration, inspiring, video

I Actually Never Knew This About Libraries. We Have A Chance To Change How They Get Books.

Libraries have limited resources and staffing to cull through anything but what the major publishers bring to them (let’s face it, it saves them time). But self-publishing and indie authors are starting to yield some significant hits, and helping libraries surface those is a huge service. I’m a big fan of this Kickstarter which creates a program to do just that with the flagship Santa Clara County Library system and hopefully every library in the U.S. after that.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/i-actually-never-knew-this-about-libraries-we-have-a-chance-to-change-how-they-get-books

I Actually Never Knew This About Libraries. We Have A Chance To Change How They Get Books.

entertainment-culture, inspiring, media-entertainment, video

When Both Sides Of The Marijuana Debate Use Actual Facts, Things Get Very Interesting

Seconds before potheads all around the U.S. exhale a mixture of smoke and I-told-you-so, CNN’s go-to doctor revealed that after doing some actual research, he is taking back all those negative things he said about medical marijuana. Skip to 2:03 to see an example of the evidence Gupta encountered that made him start supporting the marijuana plant. The debate that takes place in the second half of the video is able to cover much more ground when the both sides agrees to the basic premises at 4:19 and 4:39. It’s actually the best argument for and against pot that I’ve heard in a long time.

Read more: http://upworthy.com/when-both-sides-of-the-marijuana-debate-use-actual-facts-things-get-very-interesting-6

When Both Sides Of The Marijuana Debate Use Actual Facts, Things Get Very Interesting

community, health, Health care, human-condition-or-culture, inspiring, video