One the reasons why I like AOK so much is because it’s so many cool things in one package.

One part game, one part donation tool, with hints of our beloved Facebook and Twitter scattered throughout. It’s a way for social media to be incredibly powerful; not only because it showcases real-life, inspiring, and kind acts from all around the world, but in that each and every one of those acts is paid forward to support an awesome cause every month (next up is bullying!). In one app, your iPhone or iPad is a gaming system, donation tool, social media platform and documentary device. Oh, and did you know the website does the same thing?

As a result of its role as this sort of medium, AOK is also a way to voice your social interests wherever they may lie, be it with animals, people, or the environment (or all three and more). Plus, in addition to everything mentioned above, AOK can also be a way to create social action wherever or whenever you may feel the need.

A little overwhelming? I know. The end result is something that even we at AOK sometimes have difficulty explaining.

But above all, I think AOK is a game-changing piece of technology that’s just in the infancy stages of something amazing. Take a look at the video below, and tell me technology isn’t incredible, and becoming more and more incredible on an exponential scale. The possibilities are endless.

“On the Brink” shows this technological boom in one of the best ways I’ve ever seen, and has helped convince me that this revolution has only just begun. AOK, too.

Kudos to Jonna McIver for knowing exactly what will blow my mind.

Posted in Uncategorized

The end result of RaOP.

Lately, it feels like my mind’s been blown by the power of the Internet, the swagger of social media, the constant creativity of the online world. And when I say my mind’s been blown lately, I mean at least once every other day. That said (and combined with my growling stomach – I’m currently running on a less-than-filling Cup of Noodles), I gotta share these two foodie-AOKs with you guys.

Numero uno kills me – it’s just too good: the name of this effort is called…get ready…Random Acts of Pizza. Seriously. I mean, c’mon. The thing must’ve been born for this blog.

According to a recent news article, Random Acts of Pizza is an online forum for people to ask for, and give, pizzas! Simple as that.

Down on your luck and hungry? Having a sleepover with some friends and no one has enough cash for delivery? Know someone who could use a sweet surprise? Powered by reddit.com, a link-sharing website, RAoP is a site with over 9,000 people willing to give-and-take pies via this awesome service. I know the layout of the site might be a little rough on the eyes, but with stories of gratefulness like THIS, how can you not enjoy it? I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to change up their AOKs. Very cool.

*Editor’s note: I’ve now moved on from my sad top ramen noodles, and am trying to enjoy a canned coffee drink I found at a convenience store on campus. In a crippling twist of fate, I noticed it was low-fat drink only after money changed hands. At this point in the story, I’d like a pizza and a Starbucks…maybe I should’ve studied abroad in Italy…or Seattle…hmmm…*

Jonathan Stark's now closed Starbucks card.

But, continuing! This may be my lack of real coffee talking, but Jonathan’s Card was crazy, stupid cool, at least while it lasted. In the same fashion as RAoP, Jonathan’s Card was a public Starbucks card that a man named Jonathan Stark put to very creative use.

Utilizing the miracle of smartphone technology (AOKers, you should be familiar with that), Stark put a picture of his app-based Starbucks card online, and encouraged people to download the photo on their own phones and use its bar code to purchase their own drinks. In his own words on his website, he said, “Seriously. My card gets charged, you don’t … If you’re feeling generous, you can also add money to my Starbucks card by doing this and enjoy some serious good karma.”

A Frankenstein-esque experiment in social media, technology, and sharing, Jonathan’s Card was a hit, with people all over the world downloading the image, paying for their caffeinated beverages of choice, and then (hopefully) putting money back on the card for its next use. AOK’s own CEO, Ira Liss, even participated in the game. Heck, the card even had it’s own Twitter, spitting out live messages of its balance every time it was scanned! I started following it, and my Twitter feed quickly became less about Motor Trend or Roger Ebert, and more about dollars gained or lost.

However, Jonathan’s Card’s shenanigans were short-lived. Starbucks unfortunately closed the card 12 days ago, citing fraud concerns.

But the card had an outstanding run (July 7-Aug. 12, RIP), with GOOD Magazine reporting that in its final days, it filtered more than $8,000 in coffee thanks to over 500 users.

I’m sorry to see JC go, but was delighted to read Stark’s thoughts on the end.

While you no longer have the chance to use Ira’s *StarbucksSamaritan flashtag on behalf of Jonathan, can anyone think of a clever pizza-giving one?

Posted in Uncategorized