Not too long after we had placed second at a startup event for CritterFacts, we sat down to watch a documentary called Racing Extinction. At this stage, we were still figuring out what CritterFacts was going to mean for us and were even evaluating if it made sense to continue with it. I was personally coming into this new world cold, having had most of my life up to that point, consumed with more of a straight-lined entrepreneurial mindset.
As the film began it was almost as if I could feel that something was about to shift in me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. The film dives deep into challenges such as ocean acidification, global warming, the acceleration of extinction of wildlife, and the international exotic wildlife trade.
There are graphic scenes in the film that exposes the exploitation of endangered species, like Manta Ray’s and Sharks, showing them being butchered and then sold as food and even being falsely touted as medical remedies for certain diseases. The film points out that the exotic wildlife trade is so lucrative that it is second only to the drug trade.
The film’s director, Louie Psihoyos, believes that imagery has a tremendously effective way of convincing an audience to change their mindset and habits. The most impactful scene to me of the film is about the O’o bird that was native to the island of Kauai in Hawai. This bird is now extinct and this scene featured a recording of the last male of the species. Watching the last of an entire species was a sobering experience. An experience that left me stunned and silent.
That scene made me realize that CritterFacts was now rooted in purpose. For the first time, I felt a deep sense of responsibility and purpose. At that moment I decided to put forth all my efforts to help stop the senseless extinction of wildlife and erosion of our environment. Mr. Psihoyos, you were right. Imagery can change mindsets, habits, and the trajectory of someone’s life. I am living proof.
The film goes on to highlight a village in Indonesia that relied primarily on the hunting of manta rays to fuel their economy. Through tireless efforts, activists were able to change the economy from hunting manta rays to tourism instead. Now tourists come from all over to swim with and experience the manta rays. Also, manta ray hunting is now banned throughout the entire region. Proving that with concerted and persistent effort, change is possible.
I highly encourage you to take the time to watch this film. The effect it had on me changed my life forever. Perhaps it can do the same for you. At the very least the film will help to shed light on aspects affecting the survival of wildlife and what we can all do to help stop it.
“My goal is to make a film that doesn’t just create awareness, but inspires people to get motivated to change this insane path we’re on. Films to me aren’t just entertainment – they are for me the most powerful weapon in the world, a weapon of mass construction” – Louis Phihoyos
