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Anastasia Kouki

Aug 24, 2017
05:33

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First of all congratulation about the proposal, your attempt is very good. But to my eyes, this proposal lacks efficiency, simplicity, and applicability. The whole process is really huge, complicate and I do not see real functional results unless a lot of money spent. For example, the part with sending the toys by email or even by people that they will do that voluntarily, let's say with bicycles, still is a process that emits carbon emissions, while we are trying to make the others to shift in more climate friendly attitudes. 


Warwick Willcoxson

Aug 24, 2017
05:35

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Thanks for the comment.  I'm unclear about "sending toys by email".  The only email involved is a daily story which can be transmitted via web or mobile device.  The toys would be, initially, given away and, ultimately, sold through normal channels.

 

I agree.  The proposal lacks simplicity however that's inevitable.  No one will respond to "buy environmental".  The advertising industry has played that card for too long.  Thus the four essentials, independence, entertainment, integrity (trustworthiness) and wins for the environment (and everyone associated with the idea).  Trust isn't a given.  It must be earned.

 

The concept of mobilising society is huge and that's what we're trying to do.  Our proposal won't reduce emissions directly but here's an obvious fact.  Everything else has failed.  For example. as soon as the economy goes south environmental programs are forgotten... and then there's political messes such as Australia and the USA.  We address this and economic realities.

 

The cost is minimal to those who'd consider financing it because they're looking at potential profits.  It's also insignificant in terms of social gains, governments and what is already being spent.  It's only we, the creators, who are looking at the possible accomplishments.  That's the way of the world.  It likes the idea of the positive but profit is the rate determining step.  It's why the current environmental situation exists and we've encountered it everywhere from venture capitalists to the corporate world.

 

It's an obvious fact that very few want to compromise their lifestyle.  Politicians know it yet here you are pointing out our solution isn't environmentally ideal when the world hasn't even got a whiff of a solution.  We know what the ideal is but it's not realistic.  We hope it will be in time but there's a lot of social engineering necessary to accomplish it.  We've gone too far to save ourselves with piecemeal solutions. We have to think bigger than that.

 

Meantime we're working with the real material we have.  Most people care provided it's not going to cost them too much and that can be utilised to turn things around.  Responses have been positive from all we've approached so lacking:- simplicity... guilty, efficiency... we're as efficient as circumstance allows, applicability... so far the world would seem to disagree.


Alexander Hurley

Aug 31, 2017
01:01

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An interesting approach to curbing problematic behaviors. I like the idea of using children's cards and toys in order to drive web traffic, and the "everybody wins" model (in the best case scenario). 

Would you do a little bit more to explain the "Meemoes" though? Kids toys are a boom and bust market. What is the plan to keep this approach viable long term? Perhaps you branch into more electronic media (e.g. kids TV show) in order to push out more and new content on a regular basis. 


Warwick Willcoxson

Sep 1, 2017
05:46

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Hi Alexander, thanks for your interest and comments. We’ve designed Meemoes so as every facet has integrity on its own yet the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Motivation is a combination of greed and/or altruism but it’s unimportant because all that matters is the world marches in the right direction.

 

Toys are a boom and bust market and life expectancy can be a matter of weeks however we've a way round the problem. Toys such as Beanie Babies have acquired a life of their own and the gimmick that makes Meemoes toys and merchandise initially appealing might mean the same but we don't count on it.

 

Humans are social animals and every Meemoe comes with a daily story delivered via web or mobile app. It gives owners something to share with their friends and owning will mean belonging. A social experience creates interest beyond the initial excitement, creates an opportunity for ongoing education and a space for our clients.

 

Those stories will be provided by the toys’ and merchandise’s owners. They’ll do it because they want the world to see their contribution and our advertising clients will provide the incentives for them to contribute. It’s also another way to achieve or strengthen the environment/market share connection.

 

Like all of the idea it will grow organically. The more people who look or own, the better the prizes so the more who’ll look so the better the… We anticipate Meemoes will become an icon for environmental concern and the merchandise and prizes can encompass a wider demographic that the initial juvenile one. Interestingly, when we trialed the toys in schools, they appealed to all the students including teenage boys and women of all ages loved them.

 

The graphic “revenue streams” hints at the possibilities of Kids’ TV show and it’s part of our aspirations as are games and any appropriate channels. The daily story makes Meemoes a storyteller and a TV show would be a natural extension of their ability.

 

Meemoes have their own language and stories that will add to the social experience. I’ll amend our entry with the previous but the following story will give you an idea of how we’re setting up their world.

 

Max the Meemoe has always loved the young of all species. He used to make himself visible so they could play with him, chase him and learn survival skills.

 

Now Meemoes have always had their own language and Max desperately wanted to communicate with his playmates properly. He tried whales and a few other species but they didn’t want to do much more than sing or squawk a bit.

 

Eventually he found a pair of humans. They were young by our standards but very fond of each other so every time they were together he said, “souff” a Meemoe word that means love very much and, after a while, they started saying “souff” to each other.

 

Then it became a bit more complex but every time one of them pointed to themselves he said, “I” or the other, “You”. It all started with “I you souff” and, as he added more words, other humans became interested and so language began. Nothing has changed. We still say, “I love you”.

 


Warwick Willcoxson

Jun 7, 2019
02:30

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Thanks for the kind thoughts.  I have, for the moment, walked away from the idea.  I've put my life on hold for too many years and, whilst there have been a lot of almosts, the net result is I have nothing to show for years of effort and the personal cost has been huge.  

 

I may come back refreshed or something may turn up.  I know I have something the world desperately needs and there's an impressive (tested) body of work ready for market but short of someone or something getting involved, I need a bit of life.