Is NBC Really That Bad?

Clearly mistakes were made. Ratings were lost. Feelings were hurt.

NBC screwed up. Big time. By trying to shake up the up the late night show lineup, they inadvertently rattled the cages of throngs of die-hard Conan O'Brien fans. This has been the center of attention throughout popular media for the past week, even on NBC shows, and especially on Conan's show.

I love Conan, and like many other fans, felt slighted, even personally insulted, by NBC's selfishness and insensitivity. How could they do that to Conan?? But upon reflection, was I really mad at NBC or simply frustrated with an unfortunate situation. NBC's not a person. Getting angry at a television network is like a five-year-old ragefully throwing his Wii controller because he can't beat the last level of the new Mario game. Or like me ragefully throwing my Wii controller because I can't beat the last level of the new Mario game. It's pointless.

Sure, we can point fingers at Jeff Zucker, or other NBC senior leaders. But come on. The point of NBC, and pretty much every other for-profit company in the world, is to make money. Do you really the current situation would be handled any differently with different corporate leadership? There are profits to maximize and shareholders to please.

Again, I'm a huge Conan fan and am deeply regretful that he's leaving The Tonight Show, but that's business. Even show business.

P.S. In slightly related NBC news, I thought it was awesome of SNL's Weekend Update to plug donations for Haiti last Saturday. There are numerous relief organizations and ways to donate to help Haiti recover from the recent earthquake. If you haven't already donated, texting HAITI to 90999 is quick and easy way to give $10 to a tremendous cause.

Volunteer Ideas, Vol 2

No. 2:
HEET:
Home Energy Efficiency Team

Want to show off your handy man/woman skills or learn some new ones? "HEET organizes free weatherization parties to teach volunteers hands-on how to lower their energy bills and carbon emissions. We consult with energy experts to pass on accurate information. We build community, create social marketing for energy efficiency and help facilitate exchanges of ideas."

The nuts and bolts: You get to help others AND help yourself. I was the caulking queen (immature jokes aside) at Cambridgeport School. I went home and fixed my own windows, felt warmer and saved myself some green while being green. What's not to love about that?

Location: A home, school, community meeting place, etc somewhere in the Boston area.
Commitment: Usually a half day; sign up as they come up.
Training: None necessary. Bring your skills and/or can do attitude.
Duties: Varies from painting to caulking to replacing windows to whatever you're willing to try!
Contact: heet.cambridge@gmail.com or visit heetma.com

Volunteer Ideas, Vol 1

Whatever your interest or skill set, there is some creative way for you to give back to others and the community. Most of us have less money to toss around and give away than we did a couple years ago so we've been neglecting the people who need our support.

The answer: Time & Talent

My answer: Throwing out an idea or two or three every week on how to give back with a tiny bit of time/talent commitment. Here we go!

No. 1: Horizon's for Homeless Children

Some of you think, "why should I help someone out who got his/herself into this situation in the first place!?" Well this group of little ones is undeniably deserving of every bit of assistance and love we can spare. They were born into situations they will never understand. What can you do? Help them develop, learn to share, laugh, and make loads of positive memories.

Horizon's for Homeless Children sets up play areas at homeless shelters throughout Massachusetts and then supplies responsible, fun loving volunteers as "Playspace Activity Leaders" to "foster healthy development through interactions and play." And you're not just helping when you're on site! While you're playing with the kids, mom/dad/guardian is able to attend career counseling classes so he/she can find a job and get a real home.

Locations: all over MA
Commitment: 2 hr shift every week for 6 months
Training: 3 hour training
Duties: think Mary Poppins of Joey Gladstone - be the fun 'adult'
Contact: Horizons for Homeless Children (617) 445-1480 or (800) 560-7702

How do I know it's good? I volunteered as a PAL during college. Questions? Just ask!

Eat Better this Season!!!

"Imagine for a moment if we once again knew, strictly as a matter of course, these few unremarkable things: What it is we're eating. Where it came from. How it found its way to our table. And what, in a true accounting, it really cost," - Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma

Let's follow in the footsteps of our forefathers this season (minus the murderous killing spree) and get our food local. Come down to Suffolk Law School near the Boylston T stop this Tuesday to learn about local and sustainable eating in the Boston area.

We'll have FREE local snacks and a raffle for Apfel Eis Wine from Still River Winery in Central Mass.

Our distinguished speakers:

Alex Loud, Slow Food Boston
Matthew Kochka, ReVision Urban Farm
Jessica Banhazl, Green City Growers
Jamey Lionette, Lionette's Market

DETAILS:

RSVP To: boston (at) OYFP (dot) org by 4 p.m. Tuesday and get a free raffle ticket!!!
Date: Tuesday, November 17th
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Suffolk Law School Faculty Dining Room, 4th FL Suite 495 120 Tremont Street Boston, MA, 02108-4977 617.573.8000
Who: OYFP Boston, Suffolk University's Sustainability Committee
Cost: Free

Health Care- A Global Perspective

This topic we haven't discussed on this blog yet, partly because I feel it is so polarized in America. But I keep hearing stories from various news outlets regarding the 'state' of the US healthcare, so I felt it was time for me to do my own research and take a comparable look at other industrial nations to see if we even need health care reform.

Our Ranking:

In 2000 the World Health Organization ranked the world's health systems. It ranked France as

number 1. At that time the US ranked 37, behind Costa Rica, & Dominican Republic and ahead of Solvenia and Cuba.

Preventable or Amenable Mortality:

Researchers from London in 2008 studied the amenable mortality, or deaths that could have prevented with good health care. Of the 19 Industrial nations they researched, France came in first, the United States came in second.

Cost:

The Commonwealth Fund did a study in 2008 and tracked chronically ill patients from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States. In this study, the US has the highest percentage (54%) of chronically ill patients who did not seek the recommended care because of the high costs of medical bills. The lowest percentage went to the Netherlands (7%).

USA Today even did an article showing how countries provide and pay for the cost of health care with in their country. Interesting to note in this article, France offers health care coverage to all of it's residents including their illegal residents.

I am a fan of science, and all the research that has been done on the US health care system seems to prove that the US lacks in the health care services it offers to its residents. I guess I am missing a concept here and why this is such a big argument in the US. Why do we not want to improve the health care systems we offer to our residents? Can someone explain to me why this isn't an important matter?

Related Posts: Stay Healthy for the Holidays

Picture Courtesy of: http://blog.damballa.com/

A Somewhat Passive Way to Get Smart and Be Inspired

Movies!

Head to Cambridge this weekend (it starts today) to check out the UN's Global Voices Film Festival. You can choose a film or two from the schedule or hit up the opening party tonight. I went a few years ago in NYC and left inspired to make changes and to help out my community. And what better way to learn than in front of an extra large boob tube??

While you're at it, send over some reviews and comments... I'll be out of town and have to miss out.