Young? Got a Good Heart? Well, MTV Wants YOU!

Getting involved is even easier than it used to be. Today, MTV Networks launched Think.MTV.com in beta, with an eye to giving them young folks an even better way to do good and--crucially for this generation-- "be recognized" for it.

The idea behind Think is that young people are great force to mobilize for action (duh), and that they would be well served by having a place where they can learn more about volunteer opportunities and connect with other like-minded folks. It's definitely a great idea, but it's not a new one: the folks at GoLeft.org have been working on a similar product since March.

Still, it's good to see anyone, everyone, trying to convince kids that there's more to life than making a whole load of dough. Especially when folks like Bob Herbert are apparently losing the battle.

Gay Youth Face Increased Homelessness

Not that many of us need any more on a daily basis to make us furious, but just in case you're looking for another hit of "this world is so fucked up I cannot stand it another minute," check out this article in today's NYT about homeless gay youth.

And just in case you're thinking, "How big a problem could that be?" here's a statistic to make you think again: "While gay men and lesbians make up 3 percent to 5 percent of the general population, more than 20 percent of homeless youths under age 21 in many urban areas are gay."

It's grim, people...very grim. (And don't forget to check out the interactive feature for an even more powerful kick in the gut.)