How Its Made and the Video Backstory
I love finding out how things are made, so I am a big fan of the Discovery Channel's How It's Made show. While the format works OK on television it would be perfect for viewing online. Each segment is 4 1/2 minutes long, the perfect bite sized length for online viewing. Like CharlieRose.com, this content would greatly benefit by giving viewers an entire library to select from. You can choose to watch just the products that are interesting to you not what the producers thought would make a good 30 minute show.
Unfortunately, the creators of the show and the Discovery Channel are still stuck in the old paradigm of TV distribution. They should find a way to put them all online and monetize the eyeballs. Instead others are creating a library on their own (illegally) and getting all the ad revenue from the viewings. A loss for the Discovery Channel but good news for the viewers. Check out this one on how lithium batteries are made:
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I think this concept could be extended even further. What if every product produced in the US had a 5 minute video that showed how that product was produced? Then as a consumer you could get the backstory of the product. Maybe there could be a 1 minute condensed version, the standard 5 minute version, and an in depth 10 minute version.
This could be produced by the manufacturer of the product, a relevant NPO, or hopefully both. You could choose to watch the version from the source you trust most. Curious how your food was raised, what it took to make your laptop, or what the working conditions were like making your shoes? Now you can find out.
If there was an augmented barcode on the product, you could take a picture of it with your cellphone causing the video to be streamed to your cellphone. You would have the ability to find out about a product while you are shopping and before you purchase it.
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2 comments:
I've advocated this tactic for commercial fishermen in Alaska.
I proposed a plan whereby fish were sold directly from fishermen to consumers over an electronic exchange (an ebay-like website). Fishermen would want to include promotional materials for their restaurant/grocery store customers - and make that content available online. It would be a great way to add value to their product, without too much investment in capital.
It's a very good idea that saavy organic foods companies should be using.
Andy,
I agree, I think this would work well with fisherman. I think it would be cool to see who the fisherman was who caught my fish and where he is located.
I had read about lobster fisherman adding a tag to the claws of the lobster that you could then lookup on the internet to find out more about them. Sounds similar.
Best of luck getting your plan working with the Alaskan fisherman.
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