Classic literature that’s now public domain is becoming relevant in a whole new way. The mashup trend has spread from music to books and spawned reads like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, Little Vampire Women, Jane Slayer, and Mansfield Park and Mummies all in the past year.
The latest classic lit mashup comes in the form of a movie trailer and combines Pride and Prejudice with the psychological thriller, Fight Club. Though it’s not a real movie, it’s been watched by 65,000 people since it was uploaded to YouTube just two days ago.
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Want to help make sure that everyone grows up able to read, regardless of whether or not they prefer classics with a gory twist? Support an education cause like DonorChoose.org on SocialVibe!
Just a few more hours until the 2010 do Something Awards on VH1, where pop culture meets activism. Matt Damon v. Leonardo DiCaprio, American Idol v. Glee, and Christina Aguilera v. Lady Gaga? Count us in!
Here are Do Something’s top five reasons to watch. They had us at “piece of A-list.”
1. Jane Lynch. Yes, this hot piece of A-list serves it up hot and sassy all night long!
2. Kellan Lutz + Annalynne McCord + Matt Bomer + Surprise Foxy-Queen-of-the-Foxies = smokin' HOT
3. Snoop Dogg and some dogs w/ a Dawg
4. "I wanna be a Billionaire....so f'in bad....." (y'know its stuck in your head now)
5. Do it for the kids! 5 to be exact, and one will win $100K to keep changing the world!!
The Do Something Awards honor those that give back, whether they’re movie stars or high school kids. At the end of the night, one young world-changing social activist will receive $100K to continue their work.
The newest category, Do Something on Twitter, pins Ashton Kutcher and Hugh Jackman against the satirical “BPGlobalPR.” No matter who wins in any category, it’s going to be a good show. Comedy + music + a reminder that there are lots of good people in the world = something we’re sure to watch.
No, not for herself. She's asking fans to help her find a donor for 11 year-old Shannon Tavarez.
A few years ago, Shannon was living her dream, playing Nala in The Lion King on Broadway. Then she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and was told she needed a bone marrow transplant but would first have to find a donor.
When songstress Rihanna heard about Shannon, she vowed to help her find a donor that will allow her to live her new dream, which is “just to grow up.”
"When I listened to Shannon's voice, I got really sad. Her voice is so beautiful. She should be performing on Broadway, but she is confined to her bed, fighting for her life. Shannon needs to find a bone marrow donor to survive. I urge all my fans to register with DKMS”
Currently, for each 10 people desperately searching for a donor to save their life or the life of their child or loved one, only 4 will find successful matches. The search is exponentially more difficult for African Americans like Shannon, as people of African decent make up less than 7% of donors.
The marrow taken from your body regenerates in just a few weeks and can be taken through a syringe in your hip or through your blood. While we can’t say the process is fun, you’ll spend the rest of your life knowing that you’ve changed the world for someone like Shannon.
Learn more about becoming a life-saving donor and register at dkmsamericas.org.
They were the opening act for the Glee live tour, and have performed at The Academy Awards and on So You Think You Can Dance. Now this talented group is featured in a new, web-only series about two teams of dancers (good vs. evil, of course) that will change the world.
There are mysteries that you have to uncover as you watch each installment. Vanity Fair compared the series to a video game where secrets are unlocked as you explore the LXD world through their website, thelxd.com.
According to Harry Shum Jr., LXD choreographer and Glee cast member,
"The first season simply introduces all the characters, one at a time, showing their origins. It’s not until Season Two that the plot starts and you find out why they’re all there, what they’re being recruited for. It’s all pieces to a large puzzle that you put together."
We can’t wait for the “changing the world” part of the show to start but, in the mean time, world-changing or not, the dancing alone makes it worth a watch!
Speaking of changing the world, LXD has partnered with Invisible Children to help support the incredible work they’re doing in Uganda. Each LXD tee sold will support Invisible Children’s work.
The t-shirts are made of 100% organic cotton from Uganda, look cool AND help change the world. Sounds like a deal to us! Buy one here.
A few months ago, Oprah announced that she’ll be giving one lucky person the chance to host their own reality show. Twenty-five-year-old Zach Anner, a Texan with cerebral palsy, was all over it and has quickly rocketed to internet stardom. John Mayer has even offered to write his theme song if he wins.
Oprah said she’s looking for someone with infectious energy, a unique sense of humor, and personality galore - check, check, and check!
“I didn’t know where I would fit because I have cerebral palsy, which I believe is the sexiest of the paslies, but it does limit where my strengths are.”
He’ll visit the world’s most inaccessible places, wheelchair and all, to show people that if he can do it, so can they. His ultimate goal is to inspire people to overcome obstacles and find their own adventure.
There are just 2 days of voting left and the contest has not been without controversy. Geekosystem, Huffington Post, and other sites have reported that it appeared as though the contest was being rigged against Zach in favor of a woman who wants to do a show about teaching. Reports showed an extra number in the code when voting for her. The number was labeled "eid" which usually stands for "employee ID." Zach, however, doesn’t buy it:
"I sincerely doubt that Oprah would do anything like that," he says in a statement to EW. "She's probably too busy building schools and helping children to even notice someone like me. I'm grateful for everyone's continued support and to Oprah for giving me this opportunity. Thanks again, happy travels and keep being sexy!"
A space-themed graduation card has been removed from store shelves after members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) called the card “offensive to black women” and demanded it be pulled.
The card talks about the solar system and refers to planets and those “ominous” black holes. The trouble started when NAACP members heard something other than “holes.”
Hallmark seemed surprised, as the card has been sold for several years and is not intended to be anything other then a graduation greeting. Still, they apologized and complied.
"The intent here is to say that this graduate is not afraid of anything," explained Hallmark spokesman Steve Doyal.
One NAACP member said "it sounds like a group of children laughing and joking about blackness, again.”
One writer at Discover Magazine worries that instances like this hurt the overall cause of fighting racism:
“When anyone accuses someone else of racism when it’s not there, it hurts the overall cause. Given the press this has received, it’s the LA NAACP’s credibility that has taken a hit, not Hallmark’s. Crying wolf diminishes the NAACP’s work, and will make it harder for them to fight real racism the next time it pops up.”
It’s Pride Month and The Trevor Project wants to hear your vision for making the world a better, safer, and more supportive place for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
Make a vid, explaining what you’re doing (alone or with others) or what you think would be the best way to ‘be the change’ and make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth. It can be something as simple as encouraging acceptance in your community or a grand plan for the entire world.
Upload your video here (memelabs.com/thetrevorproject) before July 14, 2010. The winner will receive a digital camcorder and four runners-up will win digital cameras. Best prize of all? Knowing you could be the one to inspire someone else to be the change in their own way.
Everyone feels alone at times and we all want to be accepted, but LGBTQ youth often face additional pressure from family/peer rejection as they deal with issues surrounding their identity. LGBTQ youth remain up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
We can change that by making the world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of their sexual identity. No one should have to reach a point where they feel that the only way out is to take their own life.
”For every youth in crisis, there are many more who find acceptance from loved ones and are in a place in their lives where they can utilize their strengths and talents to support other youth, educate the general public, and advocate for the rights of LGBTQ youth throughout the world. Change starts with having a passion, an idea, a dream or a vision that can transform thought into action. Your story could inspire others to be the change.”
You can earn free donations for The Trevor Project to support their amazing work, providing crisis and suicide prevention resources to LGBTQ youth, by supporting them on SocialVibe.
Building wells in impoverished villages is good. Building wells to support your own backyard waterpark? No so much. Here's a peek at a few of our likes and dislikes this week.
A huge “like” goes to Airborne Toxic Event for their new song and video, Neda, a tribute to Neda Agha Soltan. The 27 year-old became an international symbol of the Iranian opposition’s struggle when she was shot and killed by a member of the Basij militia on her way to a peaceful protest in the aftermath of Iran’s disputed election.
The song is available on iTunes, with all proceeds benefiting Amnesty International and their campaign to spread awareness about human rights violations in Iran.
We love a good ballad but have to give a big fat “dislike” to songstress Celine Dion, who recently added a backyard waterpark (complete with lazy river) to her $20 million estate on Florida’s Jupiter Island. Neighbors complained after having their water restricted when she used up the island's entire fresh water supply so she had 6 wells built to supply the 6.5 million gallons of water a year it will require.
Way to waste, Celine. If she’s into building wells, we know a few places that could use her help.
“Like,” no… “love” for eco-crusader Leonardo DiCaprio who has teamed up with The World Wildlife Fund to support their Save Tigers Now campaign.
It’s the Chinese year of the tiger but with tigers in the wild declining by 97% in the last 100 years, they need all the help they can get.
Speaking of big cats, we’re giving a “like” to Bolivia (yes, the country) and another to "Price Is Right" host, Bob Barker for their roles in creating a happy ending for four lion cubs.
Bolivia has passed the world's most comprehensive ban on animals in circuses and although the cubs’ mother had to be euthanized, the cubs will spend their lives at The Performing Animal Welfare Society, a sanctuary built with support from Bob.
Okay, so that’s 3 (or 4) “likes” and just one “dislike” but what can we say? Sometimes you need some good news.
