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We're looking forward to talking to you today about a really cool project we're working on called "What If?"
CNN is asking iReporters to offer solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Right now, we're asking what if veterans had a bigger voice in government, what if you didn't have a car, and what if our education system worked better.
We want to invite you to participate in this project and answer any questions you might have. We'll also discuss any other questions or concerns you may have. Comments will open at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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Hi everyone and welcome
Hey David
Happy Thursday! :)
Good afternoon everybody
Hello All :)
Another great day in San Diego :)
@katie... yeah that looks very intriguing... is the big payoff that you're going to start paying ireporters millions of dollars for the unbelievable stories they do?
Katie did a great job documenting her car-free commute. I'm totally jealous. It would take me about two hours to get to work.
Hello guys, hope things are finding you well. Good to chat with you again!
I was thinking earlier this week, could we start an iReport book club?
@Asiegel1202 Hah, unfortunately not. The payoff will hopefully be some very cool stories and interactives on CNN.com that help to solve these giant problems.
By the way, your car-free video was great! I'm glad you rose to the challenge.
Hi Katie :)
Working on the carfree story. Following a person from house to work and then working maps.google (they have pilot program in San Diego with the MTS. You can google map your transit route as well as car and walking.)
Is this what you are looking for?
@Kyle We've talked about that before and will actually have a reading assignment sometime later today or tomorrow. Stay tuned! ;)
@katie.. had a lot of fun doing it.. love challenges like that.. looking forward to doing more!
@Chris That sounds awesome!
@katie I'm excited for it then!
David brings up a good point about the car-free challenge being difficult for some. I'd LOVE to see videos from people who had a tough time getting around without a car, but I'm not sure how to encourage folks to try it ... any ideas?
@ChrisMorrow I love google street maps! I've been traveling the past week in Europe just looking at everything! Found a house I want buy one day! I love it!
I like your virtual vacation KyleHD :)
It all depends on the availability of public transportation and/or the vialbility of walking or riding a bike. May be easier on a day you don't have to go to work.
@katie I think you should ask @davidw what would encourage him to do it!
@jeffpickens Weekends are a great idea.
Like DavidW it would take me at least two hours to get to work by bus. But I may try it for the sake of a story.
Hey everyone! I'm a bit late, but here now!
@KyleHD -- I live in the suburbs, so it would be a tough trek. The nearest bus stop is about two miles away, then I'd have to take bus to train station and then ride the train. It's only 11 miles, but it would be a hike.
I'm sure there are a lot of folks in the same situation.
Park & Riders? How do you get there? Drive? Drop-0ff?
@davidw I hear ya! That's part of my video I'm doing, because it is hard to get around in the suburbs, but I hear ya!
@jeffpickens That would be AWESOME. Seriously. I'm hoping the assignment can help highlight how some areas aren't equipped at all when it comes to reducing driving.
That's why Aseigel's video was so great -- even though he's in a big city, it was still tough to get around! Very interesting.
Can I go off-topic for a minute? I noticed, especially with the Kennedy memorials, many photos were credited to "Unclaimed". I'm not sure everyone knows that you have to claim a photo you mobile-upload. I discovered it myself by accident.
I used to live in Atlanta's north perimeter area and my transit commute to work was around an hour. I moved to midtown and cut my transit commute down to precisely 30 minutes... still a big long for how close I am, but not bad.
@katie - tip - Help from the source
I'd recommend anyone interested in a public transit story contact thier local transit service and talk to them about it (marketing department). They might have solutions to make it an easier commute/story.
...just an idea
Yeah, Atlanta's public transit isn't great even for those of us who live in town. I took the bus and train to work one day and it took an hour. And I live three miles away!
Hi Everybody
when i first moved to atlanta i lived in buckhead and had to community to Lake Oconee... 90 miles one way! That would have been an adventurous bike ride
@ChrisMorrow - good idea. Some transit authorities have trip planners on their websites. DC-Metro www.wmata.com is a good example.
@jeffpickens Out of curiosity, have you ever sent a mobile submission, and what has your experience been? I am doing a little research, BRB.
So besides energy independence (going car-free), there are some upcoming What If? topics that don't have iReport.com assignments yet.
Anyone have any creative ideas for what we could ask people to do on the subjects of reducing obesity or poverty? What would you enjoy doing?
@nsaidi, yes I have, and after I got home and posted a story I did a search to see if there were any other stories on my topic, and I found the photos I had sent, under "Unclaimed". I thought "hey these look like my pictures" then it dawned on me. I sent the requisite emais to claim the photos but it took a few days, and several re-requests.
Yesterday, on our local news they were talking about how if Chicago gets the Olympics in 2016, which we'll know in one month, they are concerned that our public transportation system here won't be enough for everyone that comes to visit.
@jeffpickens Hmm, that doesn't sound fun! Thanks for your persistence. We're working on ways to make that process a little easier. Stay tuned. :)
How about, what if you said exactly what was on your mind, for a day? No little white lies, no sugar-coating.
@jeffpickens -- What if everyone was completely honest? Terrifying thought. Could be interesting.
@nsaidi: about claiming, I assumed, and others might also, that a mobile-uploaded photo is automatically credited to the sender if the cell phone # is tied to your iReport account. There is some very good stuff that goes uncredited and I think it's because people don;t know you have to claim it. Now I'll shut up on this.
Hi all! First off when did I loose my "Superstar" status? I've been there since the begining. On a less selfish note, I think it would be great if there was a requirement that a percentage of Congressmen/woman and Senators came from a military related background especially now that we are in a period of our history when there doesn't seem to be an end to the wars we are involved in any time in the near future. It's probably an unrealistic idea but the perspective that such a person could bring would be an asset. Most of the people who serve in the Congress and Senate right now have very little military expereance and although they may be knowledgable in the history and theory behind our military they really can't understand the the reality of the day to day world of life in the military. Just a thought.
@jeffpickens Yeah -- great suggestion. That is something we want to do someday.
@kaite:
Obesity: Show creative ways to exercise... i.e exercise doesn't have to be boring running or lifting weights... it can be playing tennis, wreslting with your dog, reconnecting with your loved one... also, share success stories with food you can eat that is healthy and actually tastes good...
@jeffpickens
My issue is having the right phone to send in remotely (my google phone keeps freezing up). What do you use?
ooo what about: what if there was no internet?! (24 hours with no internet) or what if your were handicapped? (wear a sling, tie your thumb down, something to challenge you) i'm still thinking of the obesity and poverty one?
@Artboy - Hello!
@Asiegel - Good obesity suggestions. Those sound like fun.
@Artboy -- Welcome. First off, I'm not sure when you lost superstar status. I'll have to look into it. We have been making some adjustments to make it more fair, but clearly, we may need to look at it some more.
@Artboy - I feel your pain. My Superstar label comes and goes. There's some arcane mathematical formula based on posts, views, comments.
@katie
On Poverty: I think the most effective way to get people to act on this is by raising awareness, and you raise awareness by talking to poverty stricken people, ask them how they got in their situation, discuss their struggles, what they are doing to try to improve life, what society could do to help them, ect
@KyleHD Actually, we're trying something almost like that today! We banned email among iReport team members for the day to encourage more face-to-face communication. I (shamefully) already broke the rule. :/
@KyleHD We've tossed the Internet idea around, but then that would make iReporting very difficult ;) I like the handicapped idea -- we're thinking about a creative way to tackle discrimination, so that may be a good option.
@ChrisMorrow: I use a G1 and email the photo from my Gmail account from the phone. The key is you have to then go to iReport, find the photo under "Unclaimed", then email the url and claim credit.
@katie
What about turn the TV off for a day
________________________
How did you live without TV today?
@Asiegel We were considering something like that on poverty.
My question to all of you is: Would you be interested in talking to someone living in poverty? Can you think of any limitations?
@kaite
Also on poverty... what if you had to survive a day as a homeless person.... no money for food, no shelter, no nothing... and you had to do it for a whole day... that would be very interesting
@ArtBoy Hey I loved your last piece on Disney/Marvel. Cracked me up. I always enjoy your cartoons.
@jeffpickens
I've upload to iReport and with no problems CLAIMED them. It is my phone for sure.
@ChrisMorrow -- that sounds like a good challenge. If we asked iReporters to turn off the TV, what problem could that help solve?
(i.e. Doing a car-free day helps determine if reducing driving is a realistic option where you live.)
@katie.. I would be interested in talking to someone living in poverty to raise awareness for myself and for others... everyone has a different story and we all tend to judge but it could easily be us in that situation
Not having the TV on might get you outside, doing things! That should also help the obesity problem. No TV should mean no internet either.
@katie
LOL - I don't know. Any ideas?
@jeffpickens Ah, brilliant!
What if we had no phones! turn off your cell phone for the day! find other ways to communicate....write a letter instead
@jeffpickens
:)
would need to hurry on the story before winter.
Iv'e got an idea for a "what if" project... Everybody always talks about self improvement and wanting to grow and reach their full potential... well a neccesary step in getting there is coming out of your comfort zone and doing things that scare you.. "What if you had to face your 3 biggest fears in an effort to improve yourself to reach your goals"
@jeffpickens -- I guess also that even if it didn't get people to go outside, it could encourage families to interact with each other, maybe even have a conversation with teenager instead of just vegging out in front of television.
Hi everybody how was your week
I'm loving everyone's "What If?" ideas! This is a huge special and I feel so much better with everyone's enthusiasm.
And just a hint towards the awesome final assignment: The question is "What if we all worked together?" Details TBA.
@Asiegel1202: Excellent idea. Document the process, planning, overcoming fears and obstacles, execution, and success.
@Asiegel -- That could be really interesting. Not sure if it would work with this project, but that would be a good assignment. Either facing you biggest fear or avoiding facing biggest fear would be interesting.
This forum is the best and I am happy David may I ask you about photos with video like talking photos,
is that a good idea or not thanks
what if sounds great to me
@davidw: as long as you don't combine interacting with family and the honesty project! That could be disatrous.
Maybe a way to tackle poverty and possibly something more, is if what if for example, we camp outside for a day or even a whole weekend. however you can't bring anything with you from inside. and you are not allowed inside at all for anything. the only food you could get is food you could find (so maybe something is growing in your garden you can eat? or if you live near water, go fishing for your food. I guess it would sort of be like Survivor without the million dollars or a tribe sending you home.
@larena -- We do audio slideshows (Photos with a narration) fairly regularly so it can be a good idea.
Thanks to everyone for weighing in! I've got go, but have plenty of ideas and inspiration to work with.
Have a great week!
@KyleHD.... that's exactly what I was thinking... I think that could be a very cool ireport
@everyone -- I've also got to head out. Take care and have a great weekend.
Here's a "What if?" idea, I don't know how this would work but how about you put a challenge out there to have people look at an issue from the opposite side. For example "health Care" or "Gay Marriage". It would be interesting to see if people from both sides could switch hit for a day and try to see an issue from the other persons point of view. No sarcasm permited.
Have a great weekend kisses to all of you Larena
Gotta get back to work. I'll catch y'all next week.
.
ciao and have a great week :)
@Asiegel1202 i'm sure you could do it! I watched your car-free video yesterday! made me smile!
Hope everyone had a great week and weekend! Talk to you next week!
Bye guys!
david thanks so much I love the talking photos and for me is a great idea to record and video tape and talk over the photo thanks david so much
Hi @Artboy - I'm awfully late to the punch, but just caught up on the discussion and read your awesome "What if" idea. That's a really powerful one. I'll make sure Katie sees it!
Enjoy Labor Day weekend 4 all
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accent. One of the first known casinos was established in Venice around 1638.I think that we should be grateful to have a president that care enough about education to speak to our kids on the importance of school. Especially when you have high school drop-outs and the violence in the schools like we do now. This let the kids know that someone care and that the future of our nation depends on them. They are our tomorrow.
Americans should be ashamed...
it is really sad that Our President is constantly being disrespected by racist people. Even some folks within our government system are coming out their shell with racism. They won't stop at nothing to embarrass our President.
The way they are treating our PResident is the way blacks have to live all the time by some whites. ALways being suspicious...it happens in our everyday lives. When shopping, at schools, our legal system, on the job...the whites are always cautious and suspicious. IT SHOWS BY HOW OUR PRESIDENT IS BEING TREATED....someone needs to expose this subject matter in debt. I think CNN and MSNBC are doing a fair job. More needs to be done...it is disgraceful that our President has to go through this and it is so obvious.
President Obama puts President Bush to shame. Bush was the most arrogant illiterate President of my time. But he was respected because he was our PResident. I respected him and not once thought to undermine and disrespect him. I demand the same for President Obama. After the last 8 years of arrogance, we need to support our President instead of creating this hatred. Haven't you folks had enough of division?
We are different but bleed the same color blood. You racist folks need to get a grip. Diversity and Color folks are hear to stay so stop making their lives miserable. They deserve the same treatment on their jobs with promotions, when shopping, etc...
I think if the Veterans in the Veterans Nursing Homes got to have a bigger voice in government they would say "We want more viagra (seriously,they get it), we want better food and we want a real bar with real beer on the grounds." They would also say they want to be able to keep their homes and their money and pass it on to their families if they end up needing skilled nursing.Right now if they have no health insurance then they must sell all of their assets to pay for their nursing home fees. They fought for their country
is this the way we repay them when they are down and out and sick? If they inherit any money when they are in that situation then they have to give almost all of it to the State also. It isn't right. Many vets love to smokemost are being kicked out of the building to smoke now too. Those vets benefits aren't all they are cracked up to be, are they vets?