If We Ran It

 

I've wanted to write about If We Ran It for awhile now, and seeing as how Michael Romamowicz, my friend and one of the founders, just gave a great talk at the Feast conference (attended by several Nakedites), now seems to be an opportune moment.

Here's what Michael & co have to say about If We Ran It:

"It's evident that the Echo-boomer, Millenial, Gen-Y age group has become a strong force in business and society. Our approach to work, technology, politics, climate, family and friends are a topic for pundits, researchers, trends analysts, HR specialists, advertisers and politicians. IWRI wants to give you information straight from the horses mouth.

 If We Ran It was created to:

1. Highlight and celebrate young people, their ideas and actions
2. Host an interactive hub that connects people and shares resources
3. Empower young changemakers to be more effective in the presentation and execution of their ideas
4. Collaborate with emerging leaders to incubate ideas"

What I think is really great about If We Ran It is that they recognize that having the great ideas isn't the hard part for young people - it's getting the resources or the attention needed to make their ideas and actions successful.    Even if you have a great idea, it can be hard to get it off the ground sometimes if you aren't incredibly charming, or disturbingly hot, or simply aren't in the right place at the right time. 

In a behind the scenes thing on the Wet Hot American Summer DVD special features,  Janeane Garofalo is asked (while possibly drunk), what advice she has for kids out there trying to break into show business.  And her advice is....."try to meet Ben Stiller in a coffee shop".   which kind of made me want to kill her for being such a DB.

One of my biggest hopes for If We Ran It is that they'll create a network where young people will have a little more than one chance in a billion to Meet Ben Stiller in a Coffee Shop, upping the chances that their idea will help shape the future.

Comments

[Flourish]

Love it. I think this is filling a real need.

[yetanothertattoo]

Same as it ever was.