Yea there’s always two sides to a story and it’s sad that the targets didn’t completely appreciate it, but it wasn’t THAT bad. Honestly, should you never try to initiate something nice for someone for fear that they won’t appreciate it? A few on the best and most memorable times in my life were from strangers stepping up and doing something odd and unexpected. I’m just glad that ‘Best Game Ever’ went down well :). Proof that not all events that targets a group not in the know is a bad idea. Just gotta get the right audience I guess.

As a side note, I actually thought the band sounded really good! And it seemed to me that he broadcast had aimed to paint IE in a bad light from the start. It sounded to me like they had cut out whatever positive stuff GOP ever said about IE

The selection of “Ted” wasn’t handled well – the core idea was sound, the problem was that “Ted” didn’t really have a firm idea that he was _supposed_ to enjoy this and take it at face value. Is that his fault, or Charlie’s? Probably a little of both. Not much Charlie could have done about Ted’s choice, but he could have handled his. A better way to have selected “Ted” would have been to call around to several bars and find someone that was having a birthday, and go there and celebrate them, or let “Ted” know in the beginning that it was a performance, and ask him to play along. That way the “birthday” person could have enjoyed the evening, instead of fretting over it.

As for GOP, I see two things that IE did “wrong”. 1 – leaving immediately after the show just invalidated the entire experience for the band, even if everyone’s enthusiasm was real.
2. Actually publishing the bands name on the IE site. Unlike others, I think doing the write up was fine – but to protect the band from the fallout that would inevitably occur, you should have changed the bands name in the write up to protect the real band and delayed the report until several months afterwards – or, at least, given them the choice.

I know the intent was to help the band out, but hindsight appears to show us that failed, at least to some extent, although I have to admit that I never would have found GOP without IE – and I have found a few songs I like on their website. And I do think that Charlie made an effort to find a band that had some genuine talent, rather than just grabbing a band at random – which shows me that he learned something from the experience with “Ted”.

It’s also telling that IE hasn’t tried anything like this since the the TAL show that they’ve publicized. So they’ve learned something.

I, for one, would like to see a reattempt at the core idea behind both events – only applying everything they learned not to do.

For example, repeat the b-day experience, but this time pick someone whose really celebrating their birthday. Or pick an band that needs support, but don’t tell the IE agents who they’re seeing until showtime, and don’t ask them to go over the top as fans, either. The Best Gig Ever event could have been just as warm and wonderful for GOP just by having 35 extra people show up on a sunday night to enjoy a show. And maybe write it up a little different from the other missions – not as a standard mission, but as “an artist appreciation” mission, with all the IE agents attending giving honest reviews about the band, not about what the agents themselves did.

Anyway, I’ve preached too much – keep up the positive spirit of IE, and learn from the negative.

Upon realising that “Ted” aint going to show up, this guys in a great spot. C’mon, who can disagree with this? If you don’t want to be aproached by strangers, DON’T ENTER A BAR? People there are more likely to be single, social and intoxicated. If you are a frail and sensative person, stay at home! Buy your beers at the liqour store and stay in!

It’s a bar people… that’s where random people meet.

Geesh.

Now, that sounds like some good fun! I don’t personally know anybody “on LSD or something”; but if Mike is volunteering, I want in on that mission! :-P

I think that what you do is interesting and wonderful, just please remember, some are on there own path to self knowledge, be sure not to presume and intrude. If you’re sre you’re not presuming and intruding, then go forth with a sense of authenticity. However, I’m not sure that art is capable of achieving what you hope to achieve.

Thanks

You don’t acknowledge any difference between the Starbucks goof and the Posha one. It must be easier to admire yourself that way. There is one way your trick would have been ethically acceptable; if you never wrote a word about it and it was simply a fond memory discussed with friends, and an inexplicably happy day for the band. Then it would have been a sublime gift.

Instead like a jackass you publicized it instantly, transforming what you did into mockery. A prosaic visit to a coffeehouse where something whimsical is occurring, is worlds away from telling people their creative endeavor (which seemed to be worthy of adulation) was really just a punchline for a team of giant assholes.

Noone buying coffee had their self-esteem fucked with. As far as transactions go, Ghost of Pasha was swindled. They have every right to be disgusted with you.

You guys are unconscionable dicks.