Comments on: American Idol’s Instant Karma Repair http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/ dedicated to stirring the pot Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:29:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Cat Laine http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-20984 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:48:54 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-20984 @Rick: I think 2 things are happening. You're right; business and the MSM are realizing that they can do a lot of good with their power. They are also realizing that their audience/clients/constituency really care about social issues. They're noticing that taking the high road can make a whole lot of business sense. Using American Idol as an example, they got a load of free press and publicity for a relatively small investment. Also a goody goody streak can differentiate a brand in the marketplace and get that little extra edge. @Rick: I think 2 things are happening. You’re right; business and the MSM are realizing that they can do a lot of good with their power. They are also realizing that their audience/clients/constituency really care about social issues. They’re noticing that taking the high road can make a whole lot of business sense. Using American Idol as an example, they got a load of free press and publicity for a relatively small investment. Also a goody goody streak can differentiate a brand in the marketplace and get that little extra edge.

]]> by: Rick http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-15917 Thu, 10 May 2007 20:42:59 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-15917 It's amazing how many conversations I've had about this post since last week. I had no idea how many of my friends were closet Idol watchers! My intent wasn't to bash American Idol with this piece (okay, maybe a little) but more to point out that mainstream media is finally catching on to the power they have to do good. I think we're at a crossroads where sustainability and social responsibility are not only more important to mainstream America, but essential for the survival of this big, round organism we're living on. So Bono is reaching out to big corporations, President Bush, and anybody else with power, and challenging them to do something right. Back when I was in high school, environmentalism was something that only "crunchies" and "granolas" were concerned with. Recently, activists have realized that in order make a difference, they would have to make sustainability and social responsibility "cool." The idea is to touch as many people as possible, bringing these messages up from the counter-culture and into mass culture. Stay motivated. It's only going to get better from here. It’s amazing how many conversations I’ve had about this post since last week. I had no idea how many of my friends were closet Idol watchers! My intent wasn’t to bash American Idol with this piece (okay, maybe a little) but more to point out that mainstream media is finally catching on to the power they have to do good. I think we’re at a crossroads where sustainability and social responsibility are not only more important to mainstream America, but essential for the survival of this big, round organism we’re living on.

So Bono is reaching out to big corporations, President Bush, and anybody else with power, and challenging them to do something right. Back when I was in high school, environmentalism was something that only “crunchies” and “granolas” were concerned with. Recently, activists have realized that in order make a difference, they would have to make sustainability and social responsibility “cool.”

The idea is to touch as many people as possible, bringing these messages up from the counter-culture and into mass culture.

Stay motivated. It’s only going to get better from here.

]]> by: Matt http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-15912 Thu, 10 May 2007 20:15:50 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-15912 I watched and I donated. Even though I was completely aware of the "about face" Idol seemed to be taking in an effort to clean up their I found myself motivated to give to the cause they were highlighting. I generally recognize that my small financial contributions to charities are unable to really make a dent in the world, but the idea that there were over 50 million(?) viewers who collectively could raise enough money to have an impact was motivating to me. I watched and I donated. Even though I was completely aware of the “about face” Idol seemed to be taking in an effort to clean up their I found myself motivated to give to the cause they were highlighting. I generally recognize that my small financial contributions to charities are unable to really make a dent in the world, but the idea that there were over 50 million(?) viewers who collectively could raise enough money to have an impact was motivating to me.

]]> by: Josie http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-15286 Sat, 05 May 2007 01:15:04 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/2007/05/03/american-idols-instant-karma-repair/#comment-15286 I'm shocked that 70,000 were prompted to donate by American Idol. Would those 70,000 people have donated money to a different organization if it weren't for those episodes, or were they all just sitting here with money to give but needed someone to ask for it in order to do so? If anyone reads this who donated, I'd love to hear your answer. Either way, I too am happy to see that they raised so much money. I’m shocked that 70,000 were prompted to donate by American Idol. Would those 70,000 people have donated money to a different organization if it weren’t for those episodes, or were they all just sitting here with money to give but needed someone to ask for it in order to do so? If anyone reads this who donated, I’d love to hear your answer. Either way, I too am happy to see that they raised so much money.

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