Video Killed the Word-of-Mouth Nonprofit.
CarrrotMob Concept Initial Test Video
This is the video that, for me, started it all; the comical, relaxed, and mentally enthralling idea of the CarrotMob that hooked me faster than any other “unconventional” concept has before. Its analogous to music listening in some ways; there are some bands/artists who it takes a listen or five to get used to, for example, Conor Oberst and say, Hot Chip (both lovable nonetheless, yet I wasn’t immediately blown up by the first listen), as opposed to guys like Lou Reed, or Ben Gibbard, who both hit me with an unmistakable something. This video got me, it grabbed me by the cerebellum, starting with controlling my thoughts, impulses and casual conversation until it finally managed to overtake my future goals and hopes and weave its way into my life. The video, as any work which hopes to ease the viewer despite serious undertones should, has its moments of comic relief and even ridiculousness. The faux-rap video, fun-poking at the current tumultuous state of the planet and economy, not to mention the “crap paper” comment, all provide just enough assurance to the viewer and potential mobber the easygoing approach Brent Schulkin and co. are taking with this concept and execution. After all, we are LITERALLY just doing what we do anyway, why be uptight and authoritative? No overpowering “call to action” here, just simple, organized, consumerism. The point is, if we stop and look around at how lopsided and random our consuming habits actually are, it immediately becomes clear that if we were to make those habits not-so-random and chose those habits based upon what businesses are doing (or willing to do) the right thing communally and environmentally, we could pressure those businesses to make those right decisions with OUR money. This all, of course, benefiting the business, the consumer (and their community) and, most importantly, the planet. Whenever I tell folks to check out this video intending this to bring the whole concept I’ve been dragging on about for the past 30 minutes to life, I imagine how difficult this must have been for the OG Carrotmobbers, with no video to reference, no website to scribble on peoples hands; their synopses and key points to the concept (I’m sure) must have been down pat. I commend you OG’s. This video is here so we can visualize the plan and concept as well as give it out to whomever we please, so give props to the creators of the movie as well as Brent and spread-the-word.
-Tony.
