Kony 2012: crusade or emotional porn?

Such cynicism, however, achieves nothing. It’s easy to dismiss an untried idea. It’s not so easy to have faith in a new one.

I propose that we do neither. Before we hit that “Share” button - or graffiti the streets with anti-Kony propaganda - let’s pause and think for a moment. Likewise, before we ridicule Russell and his promise to his friend Jacob, let’s find out what he really wants to do.

There are overt political agendas at play here. Sure, Kony is a bad guy but the issue is undoubtedly much more complicated than that. Uniting against him is one thing. Campaigning United States policy makers to take international action, however, is treading on sensitive turf.

There are a lot of complex factors and unanswered questions at play here. Is the LRA still a threat? How does the Western world hope to bring Kony down? If Kony is eliminated, who replaces him? How can the LRA be taken down without child deaths? Where is the Invisible Children’s money going? Does the United States have to be involved?

I do not have the answers. And chances are you don’t either. As such, we must not jump to conclusions just yet.

Realistically it’s uncertain how United States intervention will solve the problem. But Russell’s presentation doesn’t have to be the solution; he’s opened up the conversation and that in itself is significant.

What has already been achieved - global awareness and engagement with a serious issue - is cause for celebration. Sure, no ruthless terrorists have been brought to justice. But look at what’s happening to us. Over the last 72 hours young Westerners have actually started caring about a deeply important issue.

To all those bleeding hearts out there wondering why starving Africans don’t grace the covers of our daily newspapers, the time is now. Never has the plight of the developing world had such mainstream interest.

Sure, it might be “emotional porn”. But I’d much prefer my Facebook newsfeed to host discussions about sex crimes, rather than sex scandals.

We might not know what to do next; we might still be divided over the value of Russell’s cinematic efforts. But we’re talking about Kony. We’re learning about the LRA. We’re researching about Uganda. We’ve suddenly become passionate about solving the world’s biggest problems.

We’re having this conversation. Surely that’s a good thing.