[Graphic courtesy of entropy farm]
An anonymous donor took the Open Source fund-raiser well past its goal with a gift of $125,000 yesterday. This will keep us broadcasting this summer while we pursue conversations with additional partners. Think of it — we’ve raised $150,041 in 10 days thanks to your support! And it came in all forms — money, advice, good wishes, and today a poem:
And if the earth has forgotten you
Say to the still earth: I am flowing.
To the rushing waters say: I am.
Rilke, from Sonnets to Orpheus
Notes like this one from a listener in Olympia, Washington, come in the mail every day:
You’re the most thoughtful, enjoyable, stimulating thing on radio and one of the best on the whole web. Last year walking in Vancouver, BC, I listened to yr. Emerson Show on my ipod. By the time I was done walking, I had learned more about Emerson and why he mattered than in college many years ago. And I was on fire.
I can’t count the fascinating programs I’ve listened to. Don’t go away! You’re needed and badly!
Steve Hodes, in a letter to Open Source, 7/2/06.
We are so grateful! Though the 150K is enormously helpful, we’re not out of the woods yet, so if you’ve got it, keep it coming. Many of you expressed a willingness to pay for our podcast, in effect, with a monthly donation. Doc Searls has been talking about this recently, and he may have some ideas about how we can set this up. Needless to say, we’d be thrilled with a monthly donation. Also needless to say: our podcast will remain free.
In other news, Public Radio International has decided not to continue distributing Open Source as of July 1st due to their uncertainty about our funding. We are extremely grateful to PRI for helping to launch Open Source and for being early backers and believers in a new idea in public media. Luckily, there are other ways to distribute a radio show like ours, and now we just have to decide which option will work best for us and our stations.
Lastly, our friends at PRX announced the finalists in their Public Radio Talent Quest. One of them listed Chris as her favorite radio host.
I just came home from work and read the news. I walked around my room with this big grin on my face saying, Thank you God. First, the reason you haven’t YET gotten my money is because I’m a ditz when it comes to money and I paid a bill ONE MONTH in advance. As soon as I get paid this Friday, I will send my donation. I don’t want you to think I’m a deadbeat. Or insincere. Second, I have some decent intuition and when you first posted your plea for money, I felt very depressed. (Actually, I started to cry.) But several days ago, suddenly, I began to know that everything was alright and you would have the money. And I felt better. I knew it was true. I love you guys so much. I feel so happy that things are alright for now. Isn’t this wonderful!!! I have to go so I can listen to Chris do the show. ALL THE BEST!!!!!
Squeeeeeeee!!!!!
I sent my $50 check in yesterday. Nice to see someone else ponied up with a nice little gift of her/his own. Anything to keep Chris L. on the air…
Got back from two weeks overseas (and out of touch) to discover ‘all this’ had been going on…. Thanks to your PayPal link I just sent a few bucks now, and will send more later as you need them (too bad I don’t have a spare $150,000 lying around) … I find it discouraging to read that ‘Public Radio International has decided not to continue distributing Open Source as of July 1st due to their uncertainty about our funding.’ I was already disappointed that the show lost play in Washington, DC, and NYC.
But as those who have survived ‘blips’ in their lives know, ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going!’ Keep fighting, gang!
Interesting. Perhaps PRI would not have backed out if only the fundraiser was held a little earlier? Certainly they must be surprised that the “little show that could” raised over $170k in just nine days, with monies that came only from asking the web community!
Despite the PRI drop, will WGBH continue airing the program? Are they truly engaged in their mission statement? To carry ROS would clearly show that “WGBH enriches people’s lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives.” To do otherwise at this point would simply show that they care more about $$$.
Wow! What a fantastic gift from your anonymous donor; thanks from us all, whoever you are.
A lump sum is great, but a body like ROS needs stream funding. I’m up for a regular payment scheme, as are most listeners, I’m sure. Paypal subscription or whatever…let us know what works best
Great news!
If for no other reason, by motivating me to enter Second Life (remember that show over a year ago?) Radio Open Source has changed my life… and considering the number and quantity of quality of friends I’ve made in Second Life I am NOT exagerating with the words ‘changed my life’! (Just in case you didn’t know you could have such an impact, ROS!)
I would like to set up repeating payments–and will watch the site to know when it’s ready.