here's a trial for the abstact

Visual Communication has the power to influence minds (Refe´, 2005). and with that power comes the burden to do so responsibly.
In society today [traits like] apathy, complacency, nihilism, ignorance and indifference have become commonplace. In fact, as De Botton (2001) suggests these are some of the very traits that perpetuate consumerism - the current dominant paradigm, rife with environmental, humanitarian, moral and ecological issues.
This research project will focus on whether visual communication can influence a positive change in mass consciousness, by promoting [by giving social currency to] values like empathy, critical thought, holistic thinking etc with the intent of causing a resultant shift in the dominant.
The following outline individual responses to this topic:
Firstly, Matt intends to research whether visual narrative can be used to effectivey promote critical thikning processes. The context for the narrative will be informed by studying past future projections and social critiques as well as historical precedents of similar intentions [with similar themes].
Secondly, Joel intends to research whether or not gaming can be used to influence and inform social attitudes instead of "teaching primal skills that are becoming increasingly irrelevant to social development" (Koster, 2005). Joel's Gameplay designs will be influenced by Kohlberg’s (1970) theories and observations of social development.
And Finally, Leon intends to discover if visual communication can be used to encourage true empathy and

Ghandi (1936) once said "You must be the change you see in the world". Visual communicators have the responsibility do do even more, they have to propagate, and be the catalyst for, the change they want to see in the world....

its not finished yet, but hey, i've got to go to class. let me know what you think.