Ryan and the Shoeshine Boy
Monday, February 26th, 2007
Other versions:
quicktime———- letterboxed-YouTube ———- Sidewise-iPod-version
Music by Song Flight
In this episode, my mission was to “bring joy to a child laborer”, suggested by Paul “PG-13″ Graham. I found Surj, the shoeshine boy up in Dharmshala
I thought I had the whole bringing joy thing figured out. Whenever kids used to come up begging or selling things, I’d always buy them an ice cream or something instead of giving them money. The reason most parents send their kids out is because people are more apt to feel sorry for and give money to kids. So I’ll still make the kid smile, but encourage the parents to get out instead.
But Surj made me realize how some of these kids really do have to bear the burden of supporting their whole family. Everyone who’s seen this episode has accused me of trying to depress the hell out of them. Well, my goal is only to share what I see, not to editorialize. Personally, I watch this episode knowing that he’ll be all right. I’ve got a lot of faith in that kid.
February 28th, 2007 at 5:36 am
You are absolutely amazing.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Tugs on the heart strings without using the manipulation of Hollywood, in my opinion.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Great job. Unlike Hollywood (which manipulates its audience), your video tugs on the heart strings simply by presenting the way things are.
March 6th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Thanks, my goal with this show, which I’ll get into in an upcoming episode, is to do just that. Show what I see, and not editorialize.
March 25th, 2007 at 8:40 am
[…] For those who have read my original thanksgiving-on-the-highway or watched Ryan and the Shoeshine Boy, this will show you one of my less succesful attempts to do good. […]
March 27th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
oh man you are good