At Wednesday’s RefreshBCS, Michelle Greer gave an inspiring presentation on how social media can expand past its tech-centric nature and help bring attention to other issues. I think James Nachtwey’s newest project, one that he announced last year during his TED Prize acceptance speech, is an excellent example of harnessing the power of social media to raise awareness of critical issues.

The project’s site announced that Nachtwey’s images will be presented tomorrow, October 3rd, and asks bloggers and other social media types to help spread the word about the story that Nachtwey is about to unveil. The site provides links and embed codes of the project and Nachtwey’s TED Prize wish video for bloggers to include on their own pages.

“I’m working on a story that the world needs to know about. I wish for you to help me break it, in a way that provides spectacular proof of the power of news photography in the digital age.”

This is the type of thing that excites me about the times we live in today. We can bring attention to issues, ideas, and actions in a way never before possible. You don’t have to own a printing press, radio station, or have a satellite orbiting the earth to share something you’re passionate about.

That is a powerful thing, and I hope we can use it responsibly.