The document discusses the idea that we see others who are different or far away as "them", but that children do not see borders or differences in the same way. It proposes creating a way for children around the world to connect and make friends online so that they can learn to see each other as equal - so that "them" becomes "us". The author believes this could help spread empathy and gradually change attitudes to help address issues like pollution, poverty and war.

1. THEM = US

3. one at a time

4. Do you see any borders?

5. We created imaginary lines to keep people OUT … or IN

6. But kids don’t know the borders are there LET’S NOT TELL THEM

7. I was born in moved to and live in Romania France Canada

8. I am not a musician certainly not an athlete definitely not an artist

9. I try even if I suck  but I don’t give up!

10. I am a proud engineer

11. a co-founder of with my wife (OMG she’s awesome, snagged her in High School when I was 13)

12. and a co-founder of

13. I film, direct & produce the Nasty Hockey Show … for FUN

14. I LOVE My FAMILY

15. and we have lot’s of FUN

16. Life is good but …

17. One of my girls said

18. after at our house

19. “ I didn’t know there was a WAR going on?”

20. Holy crap …! and it hit me

21. We have forgotten that we live on earth!

22. How can we possibly care about pollution poverty war

23. when that stuff happens to THEM and not US ?

24. Hmmm … let’s explore

25. You hear about a terrible accident You feel bad … and get back to business

26. then you find out your daughter’s best friend

27. Was on that bus And is very badly hurt

28. Now you feel much much worse … you think about her, her parents, your daughter, you can’t seem to think of anything else

29. The accident is the same you didn’t change but now You CARE!

30. WHY?

31. THEM = US

32. Empathy is often characterized as the ability to put oneself into other's people shoes … to feel what they feel

33. What if our kids had a way to make friends

34. all over the WORLD

35. so they could learn talk share play and teach each other ?

36. If there was such a place, is it possible that

37. that THEM = US would spread virally like chocolate rain

38. and this could … G r a d u a l l y … change the world

39. because they could FEEL the pulse of our planet through their friends ?

40. I think so

41. and I’m telling the whole WORLD!

42. If you agree come find me and let’s do it together

43. blog: http://connecttheworld.wordpress.com email: allan.isfan@gmail.com twitter: @isfan