# Positivity Towards Strangers 'Validation' Reinforces the Power of Empathy By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2009-02-08 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/validation-film References: [freshcreation](http://www.freshcreation.com/entry/validation_what_if_you_could_see_the_good_in_everybody/#When:07:19:00Z) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao) *Validation* is a short film that uses the phenomenon of free parking with validation to reinforce the [power of positivity](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/what-went-well-today). The 16-minute film stars TJ Thyne as a parking validation attendant with a preponderance to see the best in people. His innate ability to genuinely [compliment strangers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aicomplimentme) drives the short film along. *Validation* has won top awards at a number of film festivals, and it's no wonder. It isn't easy to talk to strangers, much less compliment them, but the effects of this positivity are incredible. *Validation* was written, directed and composed by Kurt Kuenne. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Positive Reinforcement:** Opportunities for businesses to create products or services that focus on positive reinforcement and promoting empathy. - **Authentic Compliments:** Opportunities for businesses to provide platforms or tools that encourage genuine compliments and connection between strangers. - **Emotional Impact of Film:** Opportunities for businesses to leverage the emotional impact of films to promote empathy and positive interactions. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Entertainment:** Opportunities for the entertainment industry to create more films that promote positivity and empathy. - **Technology:** Opportunities for technology companies to develop platforms or apps that facilitate positive interactions and connections between strangers. - **Psychology:** Opportunities for psychologists and mental health professionals to explore the impact of positive reinforcement and validation on individuals and society. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bravery-Celebrating Short Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/all-is-beauty.md) - [Anonymous Gratitude-Exchanging Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-little-optimism.md) - [Idea Assessment Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/validatefirst.md) - [Business Idea Validators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/validateit.md) - [Animal-Themed Affirmation Websites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/easy-affirm.md) - [Idea Assessment Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quick-idea-validation.md) - [Reimagined Story-Driven Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/typewriter-campaign.md) - [Personalized Image Insights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-praise.md) - [Emotional Short Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/johnson-johnson.md)