Surprising news about the contest

#1 Posted by Green on October 5th, 2009 9:59 am | link

I guess the same reasons I don’t write in my blog anymore.

a) School started and I’m super flaky to anything that isn’t school.
b) I didn’t think you’d like what I had to say.

Not you Pace you, but you everyone you.

#2 Posted by helen on October 5th, 2009 10:23 am | link

Not everybody is into videos you know.
There are people that prefer reading and writing.

I believe this is a valid reason for not participating into a video contest although you have something to say on the matter.
helen´s last blog ..Black Gold

#3 Posted by Sabrina Star on October 5th, 2009 10:25 am | link

I’ve been super-hyper-incredibly busy with grad school, full-time work, and parenting. And even if I had the time, I don’t have access to video editing software or a decent microphone.

On top of that, I’m 99% burned out on “putting myself out there” online. Everything I say of any consequence at all leads to a flame war and an argument, no matter how carefully I phrase myself, or no matter how passionately. I’m tired of it and I don’t have the energy to cope with it anymore.

#4 Posted by Pace on October 5th, 2009 10:34 am | link

@Sabrina: I hear you there, sister. *hugs* I get easily burned out by that too. In fact, that’s part of the reason why I stopped arguing with people.

#5 Posted by Sabrina Star on October 5th, 2009 10:51 am | link

Pace, yeah for the most part I stopped arguing a couple of years ago. I don’t believe in “debate” anymore — it’s mostly people repeating tapes at each other instead of really listening. So I’ll resolve to only be positive and affinity-affirming (taking the perspective of “what brings us together” over “what separates us”) but on some issues people just hold such strong associations that no reason or affinity-seeking will overcome. And on some issues *I’m* the one with strong associations I can’t overcome.

#6 Posted by Shannon Henry on October 5th, 2009 11:06 am | link

Basic, simple reason I didn’t enter… I don’t have a video camera. Or a webcam.

Any yeah, I know that I could have gone out and bought one, but that didn’t feel like a very effective use of my limited budget. So I decided to let it go and simply enjoy the entries you got. Maybe next time!
Shannon Henry´s last blog ..On Artists and Money

#7 Posted by Tanya on October 5th, 2009 12:08 pm | link

I didn’t enter because:
1) I don’t have mad webcam skillz yet, so I didn’t want to subject you to my first-ever attempt to produce my own video short

AND

2) I couldn’t think of anything to say

so I sat it out, hoping someone else had the skills and message I lacked.

#8 Posted by Pam (@moonslark) on October 5th, 2009 12:35 pm | link

I didn’t enter because:
1. I dont’ really know how to record things on my webcam… the few attempts the sound didn’t come through and I didn’t know how to fix it or who to ask for help.
2. I ran out of time…
3. I am, quite honestly (and this is the biggest one) completely INTIMIDATED by everyone out there. Like you said, Pace, some of these people are “Names”… they are touted on all the other biggification websites and blogs, they are constantly twittered over for every post…and I’m just a single mother in Saskatchewan who isn’t sure she knows which way is UP most of the time. I feel nervous commenting on blogs, I feel strange reaching out in twitter… so to put my FACE out there, as if I were in the same league as these people??? SCARY!! How could I ever hope to not be laughed out of the “club” for being so audacious???
Pam (@moonslark)´s last blog ..Exhaustion

#9 Posted by Sandy on October 5th, 2009 12:56 pm | link

Wow. 2 entries…

There were a few reasons I didn’t enter. The primary reason was that video is just not my medium. I write better/more thoughtfully/more clearly than I speak. Of course, I need to get better at that so maybe I missed a good opportunity to try it out.

And, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a little trepidation (yeah, that word makes me feel better than “fear”) about really putting out there how I am changing the world. I’m not much of a liar, so yeah… fear.

#10 Posted by Charlotte on October 5th, 2009 12:58 pm | link

The Bystander Effect came and knocked me out. I thought “Hey, since so many people are going to enter I have no chance of winning… and who’s going to look at my video besides the one person who’s reviewing all the entries anyway?”

So… TOTAL mass of assumptions there – that a lot of people would enter, that I couldn’t win, that nobody would watch my thing, etc.

I made a video about it, which you can watch below if you like (sorry for the wind noise). Thanks so much for the gentle reminder – it’s given me a lot to think about. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZvZYfovriY
Charlotte´s last blog ..Brother-in-Law Syndrome: or, Why Your Technology Sucks

#11 Posted by Assumptions. (Fundamental.) — inspirIT on October 5th, 2009 12:59 pm | link

[...] Pace and Jonathan have both done a very good job of ass-kicking today. This is my own riff on their fantastic posts. [...]

#12 Posted by Nick on October 5th, 2009 1:34 pm | link

Combination of things.

1. I didn’t want the prizes, I’m not motivated by stuff. I’d have given away my prizes.

2. Apathy.

#13 Posted by Sea on October 5th, 2009 1:39 pm | link

I don’t do videos for the same reason that I don’t put clear pictures of myself publicly online: my appearance and voice don’t really match my inner self, and I’d rather my internet friends get to know my inner self first. I don’t have that luxury offline, so I take advantage of it when I can. :)

Huh… Now that I think about it some more, though, I realize I could have done an entirely different sort of video. Perhaps I will take Amanda’s advice and do such a video for myself. That sounds like fun.

#14 Posted by Fizz on October 5th, 2009 3:01 pm | link

I think I have a really good reason for not entering: I didn’t know about it, or you guys, or this site, until after it ended. :)

(Hi! Nice to meet you.)

#15 Posted by china on October 5th, 2009 3:04 pm | link

1. i don’t enter contests
2. i don’t do video (watching or making)
3. i’m not doing any of the things i think i should be doing
4. i am a very private person

#16 Posted by Ealasaid on October 5th, 2009 4:12 pm | link

I thought about entering for about two seconds before deciding not to, for a host of reasons which boil down to:

1) I am incredibly busy and knew I wouldn’t be able to make a totally awesome video.
2) I hate doing things in a less than TOTALLY AWESOME manner. (perfectionism ahoy!)
3) I’m not doing anything particularly special to fix the world, so who am I to act like I am? I mean, I can’t even keep up with the A-Team homework (see #1)!

In retrospect, I am totally doing things to change the world because I am doing things to change mySELF.

#17 Posted by Tiara on October 5th, 2009 4:18 pm | link

I don’t have a functioning webcam – well I do, in storage, but I also had just switched my laptop over to Ubuntu and haven’t really tested everything yet.

Also I was mad busy and didn’t have the time to edit and create a video. I’ve created web videos in the past and editing always took a lot of time and effort.

I liked the prizes (I thought it was odd that one of the winners was a prize sponsor, but if you only had 2 entries then it’s understandable) but wished there were some other ways to take part.
Tiara´s last blog ..Recent Migrants and Inclusion in the Australian Arts Scene: Part 1 – Education

#18 Posted by Rachael on October 5th, 2009 4:19 pm | link

Hmm. That’s a good question.

1) Because I don’t like myself on video, and am intimidated by thinking a bunch of other people will see/hear me/judge me like I judge myself.
2) Because I am very busy with work and life, and didn’t think I could get my brain together to actually film myself saying anything worth listening to.
3) Because I’m still not sure WHAT I’m doing to change the world.
Rachael´s last blog ..Um, Yay, It’s Friday?

#19 Posted by Heather the Great on October 5th, 2009 5:34 pm | link

Why not? Well…

- I didn’t think I’d win.
- Too many entries for mine to stand out.
- I wasn’t sure what I’d say.
- I’m not comfortable on my webcam.
- And I’m way better at writing.

#20 Posted by Green on October 5th, 2009 8:01 pm | link

From reading the comments, I think the consensus is that everyone’s more confortable writing. I think a ‘”Guest Post” contest would be a good future idea. I know I’d be excited about that. Especially if it was a “pick your favorite post we’ve done and do a response to it / how has it effected you” post. Then it’d be easier to come up with something to say. :)

#21 Posted by Julia on October 5th, 2009 9:11 pm | link

1) I don’t do video.

2) Seriously, I don’t do video.

3) There may be equipment here, but I don’t do video. I so much do not do video, I didn’t look to see if any equipment might be knocking around here somewhere.

4) I was on a mad tear for 5 weeks leading up to the deadline, and I’m not sure I had even an hour to plan, shoot & edit (or whatever would need to be done) in that time. IOW, life got in the way. And, well, a good chunk of the mad tear was getting stuff done that would have a positive impact on my life once it WAS done, and I was going after THOSE goals at the time.

5) Did I mention, I don’t do video? :)

#22 Posted by Oliver Danni on October 5th, 2009 9:20 pm | link

My #1 reason was that I don’t have a video camera, but my number #2 reason is the same as the reason why I don’t have a video camera…it’s just not a particular media form that I’m drawn to expressing myself with.

I also don’t really like CONTESTS. It’s not so much that I don’t think I’d win, it’s that the possibility of winning doesn’t motivate me very well.

I am glad it was fun for the people who did it, though!
Oliver Danni´s last blog ..

#23 Posted by Andy on October 5th, 2009 10:24 pm | link

1) my webcam is broken. i could have borrowed one off someone else, but setting the things up is a pain.
2) i suck at speeches. that’s fine and dandy if i’m in person and have time for a Q&A, but it doesn’t work on video so well, especially since i have zero know-how for editing video
3) as freaky-awesome as i am, the people i live with are not so awesome. ridicule on the internet i can ignore, but ridicule from the people i live with is much harder to do. (and yes, even attempting to make a video is asking for it, and no, i can’t leave just yet.)
4) i’ve been caught in a catch-22 for a few years now. i’m just getting my life started on the right track again. how can i change the world if i still can’t leave my house without having a panic attack?

I’ll get there eventually, of that I’m sure. I’m just significantly farther back on the road than the awesome freaky people on the front lines. Right now, my focus is getting me where I need to be, not on worrying about anyone else or the world in general. Eventually I’d like to kick butt and take names, but that day is not today, or tomorrow.

Need to work on my kicks, yanno?

#24 Posted by Leah/DefytheBox on October 6th, 2009 9:39 am | link

Pace, I think you bring up a great question here.
Why don’t people take a stand for the change they want to see in the world?
Why not shout it out and take ownership of it?
I think for some it is easier to bitch,moan,complain and blame rather than take responsibility for creating change yourself.
Or it is easy to be too busy and involved in other things to take a stand.

The funny thing is that creating change is actually simple…you do not have to change the world. All you have to do is change yourself. Begin to embody what you want to see.
Be the change you want.
You are the one you are waiting for.

Rock On!
Leah
Leah/DefytheBox´s last blog ..Amplification Friday……bring on the Juicy Goodness.

#25 Posted by BunnyKissd on October 6th, 2009 11:47 am | link

1. I couldn’t think of how I am changing the world.

2. It’s a pain in the butt to record video on my camera.

3. I figured since I didn’t *know* how I was changing the world, and couldn’t think of what I would say, there would be no chance of me winning.
BunnyKissd´s last blog ..October Blog Party!

#26 Posted by Sheila on October 6th, 2009 3:33 pm | link

I was too busy working on changing the world to make a video about how I’m changing the world. :)
Sheila´s last blog ..Catbooks and Other Methods

#27 Posted by Thekla Richter on October 9th, 2009 10:01 am | link

I’m not yet familiar with recording and editing videos, and didn’t feel compelled to make time to figure those things out right now. I do have that on my list for doing eventually, to promote my own website in the future and for fun, but I’m not there yet and your contest wasn’t something I chose to so drastically change my current time use priorities for. Had your contest been in a media I already comfortably use (e.g. writing), I would have loved to enter.
Thekla Richter´s last blog ..Guilt, Fear, Avoidance and Frogs