After
a successful career writing about computers and the computer industry,
Edwin Rutsch turned to documentary filmmaking, seeking to use
video, technology and the arts "to learn about the human
spirit and values." One of his documentaries focused on the
question "What are progressive values?" and featured
more than 250 people discussing "their experiences with caring,
empathy, community, equality, justice, responsibility, freedom..."
Creating these documentaries and his extensive world travels helped
Edwin Rutsch discover "the central role and importance of
empathy in human connection, conflict resolution, and general
well being." He concluded that empathy "forms the foundation
of caring, community, compassion, love and all the values that
hold society together and make life worth living." After
this revelation, he decided to dedicate his life to "promoting
and fostering the value and experience of empathy," and started
the Center for Building a Culture of Empathy, with the goal of
helping to build a global movement for a culture of empathy and
compassion. As one way to raise awareness about the power of empathy
and compassion to transform lives, Edwin Rutsch has created more
than 1800 videos featuring conversations and insights from "empathy
experts" in many different fields and from every walk of
life.
www.cultureofempathy.com/Projects/Bios/EdwinRutsch
www.youtube.com/EdwinRutsch
www.facebook.com/EmpathyCenter