Drop the popcorn, it’s your time to shine

The Story

Everything started in December of 2001. It was during my ASU commencement ceremony that the president, Lattie Coor, gave us this advice: “Help Others”. And that was the wake up call I needed.

Just like most of you I assume, I’ve received help from others quite often. While growing up, whether it was at camp, through playing sports, while in college or at work. Pretty much all the time, now that I think about it. I admit it, it feels good to know that ‘people have your back’. So, there comes a time when you realize that it is your turn to “help others”. Not because you have to, but because you want to. Because you know that even doing a small favor for someone else, it might mean the world to them. Just like it meant a lot to you when others helped you.

Having this in mind, I started betterlife back in 2010, a twitter clone for people answering daily a simple question: “Has anything you’ve done made your life better?” Obviously influenced by this American History X quote, I was attempting to create a self-help community where each of us would share little tips that made our lives better. I failed. One year later and with plenty of support from friends, I introduced thank.eu, a quick way to publicly say thank-you to anyone who helped you. This aimed to be a digital appreciation and reputation tool. For example “best doctor would get most thank yous” or “Stanford students say more thank yous than students from Harvard”. You get the picture. Well, it didn’t take off either.

I have failed again and again. But this time I want to do it right. I want to create a quick tool for helping people online.

The Action

Do someone a quick favor! Spend fifteen minutes to give someone a hand. From proofreading text to code review and from answering quick surveys to simply fulfilling “please like my page” requests. Or just listen to someone’s problems. Choose your flavor and be a hero today.

I am asking you to do this together. To make an impact by helping other people online. Yes, I have a dream to make our planet a better place. But this is your choice and your decision to make this possible. Many people around us need our help. Are you game? Please show your support by signing up in helpothe.rs

John Economou
@hsoc