"i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th

[keneajer]

I cant wait for it either. I make a show about called "The First Robotics Generation" that aired to the pubilc. I cant wait for this on tho.

[DSM33]

I think that this special might be the thing that sends FIRST into the mainstream. Michigan has already proven that robotics can work on TV (the State Championship Special) and now FIRST is on national television. Hopefully there will be some robot action (although i thought i saw the anchors talking during the Einstein Matches) and maybe soon we'll see FIRST regional/state championship eliminations broadcast on TV. Closer and closer to being a full-blown sport every day

[Red2486]

Whoo Hoo! My team is on the new poster!

[PaW]

Will.i.am posted an article on the Huffington Post this weekend, for those of you interested. It's nice to read his explanation, in his own words:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/willia...?ir=Technology

Looking forward to the show.

[IndySam]

Hmmmm, now this promotion stuff has got me thinkin'


We started back to school last week, we are on a balanced calendar, how can we use this in school to promote our team? We must find a way to use this for recruitment.

I'm gonna have to come up with some posters and a mention on the school morning TV announcements.

Anyone got any cool ideas?

[Taylor]

I intend to cut and splice the little :20 videos, along with the others already out there with Morgan Freeman, Keanu Reeves, Will Smith, etc. to make a series of callout commercials to air during announcements.
Perhaps also to pump area offseason events - ?
I will say I am intrigued and very impressed with this site. My only complaint is this: How is any "favorite robot" poll complete without Johnny5?

[kramarczyk]

Originally Posted by Taylor

My only complaint is this: How is any "favorite robot" poll complete without Johnny5?

He's not really a robot though... he's alive.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by PaW

Will.i.am posted an article on the Huffington Post this weekend, for those of you interested. It's nice to read his explanation, in his own words:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/willia...?ir=Technology

Looking forward to the show.

While I enjoyed this article, I do want to point out that it does contain a small amount of foul language.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by PaW

Will.i.am posted an article on the Huffington Post this weekend, for those of you interested. It's nice to read his explanation, in his own words:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/willia...?ir=Technology

from the article:

think about and wonder why and who and when and what it's going to take for Detroit not to turn into a slum.

Time magazine ran a cover story 2 years ago.

[torihoelscher]

Hooray!!! I cant wait to see it! It's going to be so cool to see the special. This is going to be great for F.I.R.S.T!!!


I am definitely recording it!

[Billfred]

Potentially relevant: Will.i.am will be on G4's Attack of the Show! tomorrow night at 7:00 to promote the show. A couple of short Championship snippets were shown during the teaser--the only team I could pick out was 1114.

(Fair warning: AOTS is rated TV-14 and occasionally gets a little less-than-family-friendly for the early hour.)

[Peter Matteson]

Here is a link to an interview with will.i.am discussing i.am.first.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504943_1...-10391715.html

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

Here is a link to an interview with will.i.am discussing i.am.first.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504943_1...-10391715.html

One thing that's mentioned in this article is that will.i.am paid for the airtime with his own money. I didn't actually realize that until today, when I saw him talking about it on Twitter. I had never really given thought about how we got the airtime, who paid for it, etc. And now that I actually have thought about it...the cost for such a good time on a major channel has to be outrageous, even when scheduled so far in advance. Between the appearance at kickoff, the small shoutout to science and technology at the Super Bowl, the concert at the Championship, and the TV special, t's really freaking awesome that will.i.am has done all of this for FIRST (and the more broad focus of celebrating STEM and making science cool again), and it just blows my mind.

[smistthegreat]

A commercial for i.am.FIRST just aired on Comedy Central. I can't remember all of it but there was Black Eyed Peas music playing in the background of a montage of robot clips with narration. The only robots I remember seeing distinctly were 254 and 1503 but there were more.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Karibou

One thing that's mentioned in this article is that will.i.am paid for the airtime with his own money. I didn't actually realize that until today, when I saw him talking about it on Twitter. I had never really given thought about how we got the airtime, who paid for it, etc. And now that I actually have thought about it...the cost for such a good time on a major channel has to be outrageous, even when scheduled so far in advance. Between the appearance at kickoff, the small shoutout to science and technology at the Super Bowl, the concert at the Championship, and the TV special, t's really freaking awesome that will.i.am has done all of this for FIRST (and the more broad focus of celebrating STEM and making science cool again), and it just blows my mind.

I'll admit that I was suspicious of the guy at first. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time a celebrety helped a charity for publicity. After thinking it through, I've changed my mind. I'm a big fan of the cause, but even I have my limits. I can't say I'd have gone to near the lengths he has if I were in his shoes. I might be the only one here willing to admit it though. I may not be a fan of his music, but he's alright by me. If there's a chance that he reads any of this...I hope he knows that his actions are greatly appreciated by many. His impact on history might be bigger than any other singer yet. There really is no telling the extent his generosity will change the world. And yet, I can't help but wonder what his next move is. He doesn't seem like he's going to stop soon. What will he do next? I can't wait to see.

Jason