Domino Theory Blog

Topple #0000004 Idea

I think I've come up with a cool idea that will help me meet Bono (the purpose of topple #0000004).

In my last post on the topic I concluded that purpose of this topple would involve reducing poverty.  Bono has said several times that this generation has the opportunity to completely eliminate poverty.  Could you imagine?

Anyway, here's an idea I've come up with to discuss with Bono:

Wouldn't it be cool if we used dominoes to educated a bunch of kids about the devastating effects of poverty?

Here's how we do it:

100 teachers around the country collaborate with Bono to build a a short curriculum about poverty, focusing on how poverty creates a chain reaction of negative outcomes (for example lacking money for medicine, dropping out of school to work, etc.).  Teachers use "play learning" with dominoes to hammer home the point.

They fund their project by posting their request on Donors Choose!  Each kid in the program gets a small set of PRODUCT (RED) dominoes, and in the package there are 3 special RED and Gold uniquely numbered dominoes.  The kids go to the Domino Theory website and register these dominoes.  Then, they use these dominoes to set in motion more dominoes (I have several ideas of how this might work).  By working with PRODUCT RED we also help their cause.  Throughout all of this, people will have the opportunity to buy (RED) Dominoes from Domino Theory, with a significant portion of the sales going both to PRODUCT (RED) and a charity committed to eliminating poverty (of Bono's choosing).

It needs some refinement, but I feel like I'm making progress.  When I started working on topple #0000004, I knew I needed to make the purpose more powerful than just "meet with Bono for an hour."   I have to admit, I was a bit embarrassed to write about this idea at first because it seemed shallow.  But, I knew that if I worked on it, something would emerge.  Last week I narrowed things down to the poverty issue, and now I've narrowed it down further to educating kids about poverty, supporting PRODUCT (RED), and raising money for a deserving charity.  And, if this crazy plan works it should boost awareness of the Domino Theory website, and we can leverage that in other ways.

With the purpose now coming together, I need to start setting up the topple.  This will be a "little dominoes tip bigger dominoes" style topple.  I'm the little domino :-)  I wonder how many dominoes I need to set up to gain enough mass/energy to knock over Bono?  More to follow...

Changing the World

Today I was reading some stuff on ABCnew.com.  This fall they focused on issues around "Ways I can change the world..."

It made me think, what would I say if I was asked what people could do to change the world.  Here's what I came up with:

Become more aware of how our everyday actions are continuously setting things in motion.   Use this awareness to better understand the impact we have on people around us.   Then, become more strategic in your actions to accomplish big things.  See the world as a bunch of domino topples, and don't be afraid to set up your own topple and tip over some dominoes.  It's amazing how tipping over just one domino can create a very large chain reaction.   Obviously you can't change the world all by yourself, but you can definitely make a big impact by thinking like a domino toppler.

Topple on my friends...

Tis the Season

I'm not really much of a Christmas person, but I have to admit this year I saw the holiday spirit at work several times.  On one occasion I was watching the evening news and a "feel good story" came on.  I can't even remember the story right now.  What struck me was that there wasn't just one story that night, but several.  And then, I realized just how different this was from a normal night of crappy, sad news.

I also received several messages about "cheer chains" at Starbucks (I wrote about this previously).  One of them was 1,013 long. 

That's when I started thinking...  The holiday season creates an environment where people are inclined to think positive thoughts.  We are exposed to heartwarming stories, and we try to be more decent than normal.  Things "just happen" around Chirstmas.

In other words: there are times where topples are more likely to fall.  It's not just about the "purpose" but about the environment.  The purpose of the Starbuck's cheer chain isn't any different in June than Dec., but I'm confident the chain wouldn't last as long in June.

Taking this thought a little further: consider a topple with a purpose about global warming.  Not only is the purpose especially compelling, the general social consciousness is creating an environment where the topple is likely to fall more easily/quickly.  Less friction in the system.

So here's a new core concept: when toppling, consider the environment, not just the purpose.  Sometimes the environment is more conducive to toppling.

Working on Bono and Me

As I mentioned in the first post about Topple #0000004, I'm going to build this topple "out in the open."  So, here's where things stand right now:

Bono hasn't magically emailed me.  Darn.  So much for positive thinking :-)

I haven't received any messages or posts pointing me in any specific direction.  At least not yet.

I mentioned this topple to my brother-in-law.  Turns out that he is 2 degrees away from Bono.  I'm not ready to chase that down until my purpose is clear.

Here's where I am with the purpose...  I want to create a huge topple that helps fight poverty.  At this point it's not any more specific (although I expect it will be).

Here's the text of from Bono's speech last March at the NAACP:

And to those in the church who still sit in judgment on the AIDS emergency, let me climb into the pulpit for just one moment. Because whatever thoughts we have about God, who he is or even if God exists, most will agree that God has a special place for the poor.

The poor are where God lives.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house.

God is where the opportunity is lost and lives are shattered.

God is with the mother who has infected her child with the virus that will take both their lives.

God is under the rubble and the cries we hear during war time.

God, my friends, is with the poor.

And God is with us, if we are with them.

This is not a burden. This is an adventure. Don’t let anyone tell you it cannot be done. We can be the generation that ends extreme poverty.

Please post comments if you think you can help Topple #0000004.  Thanks.

In case you missed it

A few weeks ago my family and I bought dinner for a stranger.  I wrote about what happened in the post titled, "Now That was Cool."  If you missed it, or are new to the Domino Theory blog you should definitely read that post.  It gives you a good idea of what's possible when you allow people to communicate about their experiences of being involved with a chain reaction.

I think I'll add a new section on the right hand side called: "Essential Reading" or something for new readers.  I'll put the key posts in there.

Bono and Me: Topple #0000004

I'm a small domino.  Bono is a huge domino.  Time to put the "little dominoes tip over big dominoes" part of Domino Theory to work!

I've always found Bono to be an intriguing guy and I've been a fan of U2 for a long time (since War).  Over the years he has leveraged his pop status to help a number of great organizations.  He's especially well known for his work involving Aids in Africa.  His Wikipedia page has some decent info on it.  I truly believe that he's one of the few people that could "change the world" because of his broad appeal and sincere interest in "doing good things."   I'm also well aware that people consider him arrogant and controversial.  Unfortunately, these days that just goes with the territory for nearly all celebrities.

Anyway…  I'm going to meet with Bono for 1 hour within the next year.  Why?  Not sure yet.  However, I have a feeling the purpose will crystallize shortly.   Things just seem to be taking care of themselves lately…

There's one thing I know sure: when the Bono domino tips over it's going to fall with several million times the amount of energy of the first domino in the topple! 

As I've said before, this blog is just one big, fun experiment.  Beyond the TBD purpose, with this topple I'm hoping to accomplish;

1. See what happens when I develop the purpose and the strategy "out in the open" (via the blog)
2. Show that Domino Theory isn't just about random acts of kindness and paying it forward (although that's cool stuff).
3. Work on the "small tipping big" approach.

With this topple I will try to set up a direct path from me to Bono.  Then, I will 'flick' the first domino in the chain and start the topple in motion.  This isn't about six degrees of separation.  Sure, that might help, but I'm that's not the point. 

As I build the "Me and Bono" topple I will share my thinking and experiences with my readers.  And, I hope that my readers will help!  Ideas, introductions, comments, whatever…

Playing with Dominoes is fun!

Topple #0000002 on the Radio?

I was just working on my post for today called "Me and Bono" when I got a call from a good friend of mine.  She said was listening to the radio (KBCO) driving into work and there was a woman who had called in saying that someone anonymously bought her dinner last night (in Boulder I think...).  I haven't heard the interview myself yet, but my friend told me the woman said the only way she could pay it back as to pay it forward.  COOL!

Did one of my readers buy her dinner?  Did word spread about this idea and somehow inspire someone to do this?   Here's a link to the orginal post about Buying Dinner for a Stranger.

I don't think this is a coincidence.  Not everyone has dominoes that they can pass on (yet), but based on the emails and comments I'm getting I think the idea is catching on.

I'll be calling KBCO in a bit to see if I can track this down.  More to follow...

I guess Bono will just have to wait a bit.

UPDATE: While I didn't hear it myself, a friend told me that the morning after I sent the email the host of the morning program read my email to him on the radio.  Pretty cool.

Starbucks

One of my readers sent me a link to Latte it Forward today.  Starbucks calls it a "cheer chain."  Since starting this blog a number of people have told me about these "pay it forward' coffee chains.  I like this story in particular because the guy that started this one wasn't doing it as a random act of kindness.  The guy behind him in line at the drive thru was being impatient.  In his own words, "It wasn't an idea to pay anything forward, nor was it even a random act of kindness, it was a change of consciousness (to) take this negative and change it into something positive."

Have you ever been part of cheer chain?   How about a Happy Meal rope?  I want to be part of a Krispi Kream ring of love.  Please post a comment here if you've been so lucky.

I might bring some dominoes to the local Starbucks and set a cheer chain in motion.  Each person would get a domino that participated, and then they could go to the web and tell their version of story of being involved in the chain.

BTW: Domino Theory and Pay it Forward are different models.  I'm working on a post that talks about this.  Coming soon.

Product Red: A chain reaction

Today I've been thinking a lot about the next topple I want to set in motion.  As I mentioned in my last post I'm trying to find one that will be interesting for a broad audience.  One of my ideas involves Bono, and while doing some research about him I came across Product Red.  I had never heard of it (probably shows that I'm not very cool).  If you're also not cool here's the skinny (from "The (RED) Report"):

• (RED) is a brand
• It engages business and consumer power in the fight against AIDS in Africa
• (RED) works with the world's best brands to make unique (PRODUCT) RED branded products
• These brands direct up to 50% of their gross profits from (PRODUCT) RED sales to the Global Fund to invest in African HIV/AIDS programs
• 100% of the money earned for the Global Fund through (PRODUCT) RED is spent on programs in Africa with a focus on the health of women and children

For example, if you buy a pair of Converse (RED) shoes, or an Armani (RED) watch, or a (RED) iPod, those companies direct a significant amount of the sales price to the Global Fund which helps fight AIDS in Africa.    When you buy a pair or (RED) Armani sunglasses, Armani's contribution to the Global Fund from the sale of each pair is equivalent to the average cost of providing 53 single-dose (nevirapine) treatments to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child during child birth.

What's really amazing is that they raised over $50 million in 20 months.  The more I learned the more I was blown away.

What does this have to do with Domino Theory? 

I always mention the importance of a purpose, and the purpose for the (RED) brand is crystal clear and very inspiring.  Also, if you look at (RED) from the toppler's perspective you see: the first chain of dominoes going down in order to create the brand, then the topple branches with each consumer product company taking on the brand, and then branching further with every product.  Each of these branches then tips over thousands of consumers who purchase a socially conscious product, which leads to someone in Africa getting much needed medication. 

I believe this clearly  demonstrates that people want to be "part of something."   Domino Theory suggests that when you want to make a big impact, you should takes full advantage of this fact.

Random Thoughts about this Blog

OK, it's been almost a month since my first post.  Here are some quick thoughts:

I'm having a blast doing this!  It's really rewarding to know that people think this is a "cool idea" and are seeing the world differently because of it.  Thanks everyone for the support.

I think my posts are too long.  I have so much to say, but I'm afraid people won't take the time to read the blog if each post is so long.  Just wondering...

There's a ton of stuff happening "behind the scenes."  Every day something cool is happening in my life related DT.  I think I'll start writing more about that.

I wonder if putting out a post everyday is too much?  If people don't keep up they might miss an important post if they just read the last one.  So lately I've slowed down, but now I'm wondering if there isn't enough content.  I guess I'll find the right balance over time.  This week I'm going to lean to the "once a day" model.

I'm amazed at how many people have no idea how to subscribe to a blog.  I've tried to make a bunch of changes to the right hand navigation to make it more clear.

I don't have many followers, and I'm both cool with that and anxious to see it grow.  I'm not doing this build a following, but I would be lying if I said it didn't matter at all.  Blog ego I guess...  So, if you're inclined spread the word...

I'm building a website in Ruby on Rails (fun stuff) that will allow people to see all the dominoes and topples in motion.  I hope to have the alpha site up in a few weeks.

I get a fair amount of email regarding the blog.  I wish people would post a comment vs. sending email, but the email is much better than nothing.  If people posted a comment instead it might build some more momentum for the blog (people commenting on people's comments, etc.).

I need to provide more "news" about the topples in motion.  For example, I've done some stuff to move along topple #0000003 (Domino Award) and I suspect that talking about that would be interesting to some people.  Eventually the website will allow you to get "news" about the topples you're interested/involved in.

I haven't sent out a broadcast message to my network say "hey, check out my blog."  I kind of like the idea that it will grow a bit more organically. 

Writing on the dominoes with a Sharpie isn't working out very well because if you rub the domino the writing smudges.  Since every domino is uniquely numbered it's non-trivial to find other ways to "manufacture" the dominoes.  I'm currently working on order some from China, as well as considering changing the material to be wood (much easier to mark vs. vinyl).

OK, enough random thoughts for the day.