Blogging Sweepstakes

For the next month, contributing to the blog gives you an opportunity to win prizes! We want to see your pictures, read your words, and watch your videos! Post about your projects, past or present, ask for feedback, or share information with your colleagues -- Content doesn't need to be original, link to things that have inspired you! Don't worry about being serious, or well spoken, just blogggggggg. To become a contributor, email remi.ogundokun@gmail.com with 'Blog Contributor' in the subject line, or sign-in using our anonymous account. Username: carleton.id.blog@gmail.com / Password: Tropical 37

Can't wait to hear from you!
 The rules:
-Each post you write counts as a single ballot in the prize raffle. The more posts, the higher your chances of winning
-Five posts during the contest period earn you an awesome SID pin!

-Posts will not be evaluated for quality, but spam or disingenuine posts will be discounted
-If posting with the anonymous account, be sure to include your name

A Love Letter to Kickstarter

[This is a discussion on the business of Kickstarter and Quirky and why I love/hate them. Lately I've been thinking that there is a lot of "this is cool" and not enough of "this if what I think" on here, so here's what I think, There are interesting points and maybe opinions you don't agree with. I'd love to know what you think about what I think. Go on, have a read! - Jennifer]

Kickstarter, I love you. I know it's taken me a long time to come out and say it, but I think you are truly a beautiful thing. I love that you bring people who make things and people who appreciate well made things together. I love that you let brilliant projects that would normally be shot down by large corporations be funded by the effort of thousands of everyday people. I love that I can fall in love with an idea and receive it months later, having the satisfaction of knowing that I had a hand in it.

But you know what? I think you're doing it wrong.

Surely everybody, not just me, have been fascinated by Kickstarter. It imbues one with a sense of pride and community -- a sense of "hey, maybe I can do it too!". I know I always dig out my sketchbook after a good Kickstarter browsing in search of that elusive "great" idea.

Having recently read this insightful article by Matt Haughey (this is mind opening and I would suggest reading the comments as well), I started really thinking about the business of Kickstarter and why we should be wary of it.