It’s one thing to read “over 700000 people have died from AIDS in the US.”
That sounds large and unfortunate. It makes you feel sad but in an abstract way.
It’s quite another to look with your own eyes at a quilt that contains about 50000 3×6′ panels with names on them — Mike, Jerry, Matthew. Now, it feels personal and real. That’s what the NAMES Project has created.
One thing I’ve learned from over 30 years of engineering and making stuff for people to use — it’s hard to feel abstract. It’s easy to feel personal.
If you’re making something, or trying to get a message out, or trying to make an impact, make it personal.
