Willy Nelson’s haunting rendition of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” serves as the backdrop for this Chipotle commercial/ short-film that aired during the Grammy’s on Sunday. Once again, Chipotle nails the socially conscious advertising category. In just over 2 minutes the piece by filmmaker Johnny Kelley vividly illustrates the rapid modernization we’ve seen in the food industry and makes a commitment to choose a better, more sustainable way – helping open people’s eyes to the insanity of the current food system and expertly positioning Chipotle at the epicenter of that change. Here’s hoping the momentum continues.

Download the song here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-scientist-single/id458479961. Proceeds go to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.

Yet another reason why I love this job: watching the pilot of Touch last night counts as research. Loving this new commercial for Google+ Hangout w/ the Muppets and Queen!

Mozilla is among the many sites striking today against the Internet Blacklist Bills that the U.S. Senate will take to a vote on January 24th, 2012.

As the Electronic Frontier Foundation summarizes: “The Internet blacklist legislation—known as PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House—invites Internet security risks, threatens online speech, and hampers innovation on the Web. Urge your members of Congress to reject this Internet blacklist campaign in both its forms!”

That legislation like this is even seeing the light of day in the United States is deeply disturbing. Stand up for freedom of speech and send a message to Congress here.

This holiday season, as we gather with friends and family to mark the passage of time and toast the new beginnings of 2012, we give thanks for all those in our lives who inspire us and help make the world a better place in their own unique way. Seven years ago my love affair with documentary film began, and I have Camden IFF founder Ben Fowlie to thank for opening my eyes to an incredible craft that has come to mean so much to me.

Ben’s dedication to the festival is inspiring and contagious. We’ve grown from an idea to a full fledged 501(c)(3) with a dedicated Board of Directors I am proud to be a part of. If you’re thinking of supporting an arts organization before the year ends, make sure Camden is on your list. I can’t imagine our world without the priceless mirrors that documentary films offer back to us – let’s hope that we never have to.

”A country without documentary filmmaking is like a family without a photo album.” — Patricio Guzman

Check out this video from Jonathan Laurence for more about Camden IFF :

Swans Island is a company that walks the talk. Beautiful hand crafted products made with love from sustainably sourced materials. For more, check out their Process and Values.

Loving their new website with its tactile background, clean layout and new level of product detail. Check out their classic merino wool throw featured in J. Crew’s BEST OF THE BEST gift guide or follow the Swan’s Island lifestyle on their blog.