Mission

Humanosphere is an independent, frequently irreverent, news site devoted to covering the people, organizations and issues focused on making the world a better place.

Some dub these activities humanitarian, or philanthropic; others call them aid and development. The lingo in this sphere can be a bit warm and fuzzy. We’re usually okay with the warm part. Not the fuzzy.

Our goal is to fill and shape – to fill in for the dearth of mainstream media coverage of humanitarian issues and to better shape the fuzzy narrative of aid and development. What do we mean by fuzzy? In short, we mean the tendency to produce simple, promotional messages that avoid difficult, politically charged or awkward issues. We’re journalists. We like the difficult, politically charged and awkward. That’s usually where the action is in any human endeavor, and also where you find the best stories.

“Irreverence is the champion of liberty and its’ only true defense” – Mark Twain

At the core of most stories and reports in Humanosphere is the desire to reduce poverty and injustice around the world. In the interest of full-disclosure, we wish to reveal a bias that may sometimes influence our coverage: We think poverty and injustice are bad. It ticks us off, to be honest.

So don’t be surprised if what you get at Humanosphere is a bit different from what you’d get from the mainstream media (when, or if, it actually covered this stuff). Journalism is undergoing creative destruction and re-definition. Within the maelstrom, we seek to improve coverage of these increasingly important issues and to push for positive change through a more personal, engaged and transparent (dare we say honest?) form of communication intended to foster dialogue rather than just declarations.

We’re based in Seattle, one of the global epicenters of the humanitarian universe, but our audience is global and so is our focus.

Humanosphere, as a (very) non-profit news organization, is trying to report on a world of change. It’s a big job and we can’t do it alone. We look to the community we serve for their ideas, assistance and guidance. Over time, we plan to launch new features on the site – and sponsor events — aimed at diversifying content and broadening the scope of coverage.

But for now, check out today’s stories, leave a comment and let us know what you think. We’re all part of the Humanosphere so let’s make it work.

Cheers

Tom Paulson
Founder and chief Humanospherian