Comments on: Welcome to Society Matters

By: Danbloom

Danbloom — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:13:00 +0000

great idea tell me more ……….Shutting off the media spigotShutting off the media spigotShutting off the media spigotShutting off the media spigotShutting off the media spigotShutting off the media spigot GREWAT IDEA tell me more by Alan Mairson on February 2, 2012
Remember our idea that National Geographic should celebrate Earth Day by shutting down the Society’s TV channel and its website once a year on that special day (April 22)?By turning off its digital spigot for 24 hours, National Geographic would demonstrate to the world — in a public and powerful way — that our Society’s mission really is to inspire people to care about the planet rather than to inspire people to care about pictures of the planet. (As we’ve argued before, photographs can add to the media fog that prevents us from seeing the world — and each other — clearly.)Obviously, National Geographic hasn’t embraced our idea. But we still think it’s a worthy one, especially after listening to William Powers talk to Katie Couric about the benefits of pulling the digital plug:

By: Alan Mairson

Alan Mairson — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:12:00 +0000

Thanks, Gary. It’s good to read your voice again after… what, almost 20 years? Hope all is well w/you… and that you’ll come back here & visit every so often. Like a good NGM story, Society Matters is for participatory observers. … Keep in touch….. best, A

By: Gary Soucie

Gary Soucie — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Amen, bro. Good luck in your very worthy enterprise.

By: Battle of the Brands | Society Matters

Battle of the Brands | Society Matters — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:48:50 +0000

[...] about this case — and why we continue to write about it — is it highlights what we’ve long feared: The executive team at National Geographic doesn’t understand — in its bones — that [...]

By: Creativity of the Crowd: The Johnny Cash Project | Society Matters

Creativity of the Crowd: The Johnny Cash Project | Society Matters — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:15:59 +0000

[...] we launched Society Matters almost two years ago, we asked a simple [...]

By: Thugs, oppression, global media... & democracy | Society Matters

Thugs, oppression, global media... & democracy | Society Matters — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:51:26 +0000

[...] photo ever published on the cover of the Magazine wasn’t a gazelle or a glacier, it was an American flag. As Bob Poole points out in his (highly recommended) book Explorers House, National Geographic [...]

By: Alan Mairson

Alan Mairson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:04:30 +0000

Wonderful to read your voice, Eileen! Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving a message. It’s funny — I know lots of people at NGS care about what happens to the Society, but the corporate culture has never been big on open, free-wheeling discussions. Behind closed doorsâ€”sure, staffers have opinions they’re not afraid to share. But in a public venue? Everyone clams up. Not a huge surprise, I guess. But it’s not conducive to fixing what ails the place. … So, if you’re game, come back often & chime in. … Hope all is well with you. best, A

By: Alan Mairson

Alan Mairson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:04:00 +0000

Wonderful to read your voice, Eileen! Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving a message. It’s funny — I know lots of people at NGS care about what happens to the Society, but the corporate culture has never been big on open, free-wheeling discussions. Behind closed doors—sure, staffers have opinions they’re not afraid to share. But in a public venue? Everyone clams up. Not a huge surprise, I guess. But it’s not conducive to fixing what ails the place. … So, if you’re game, come back often & chime in. … Hope all is well with you. best, A

By: Eileen Levitan

Eileen Levitan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:06:02 +0000

Hi Alan,

Great concept. I look forward to following your progress….!

Eileen

By: Eileen Levitan

Eileen Levitan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Hi Alan,

Great concept. I look forward to following your progress….!

Eileen