Crowdfunding Crumbles under Potato Salad Stupidity?

By now you have heard the story of potato salad. If not the cliff notes version essentially encompasses the entiretys of the campaign anyways and should surely shed light on the story.

One man Zach Danger Brown decided to be clever and put a simple plea online to help fund his creation of the most appetizing potato salad. He wanted tens bucks.

Now several weeks later this viral sensation has raised over $61,000 and is still going strong. Backers everywhere are stepping up to support this man in pursuit of the simplest of snacks.

But why?

Crowdfunding

Why? That is the question.

Are you not entertained?

Kickstarter is a social platform of commerce and creation, innovation and invention. This crowdfunding phenomena allowed amazing creations like the Pebble watches, Ouya’s revolutionary gaming platform and so many other awesome inventions. But recently bastardization by ideas such as Potato Salad put ideas in jeopardy.

Is Zach an excitingly ballsy guy looking to achieve greatness or the destroying force of all that is good and pure in crowdfunding?

So many are inspired by what this guy is doing…and yet he is doing nothing. This is a dangerous game for Kickstarter to play.

Could this define the face of the future for funding?

This campaign is a fight for the soul of backers everywhere. And I am sad to say the future of crowdfunding is not in this avenue of absurdity. With projects such as these the amazing creations everyday added to platforms like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo will be watered down. Every arse and his brother will begin attempting to replicate this ridiculous campaign in the hopes of short term successes.

This is awful for the future of designers, inventors and makers everywhere.

Crowdfunding is based on the purity of creation. We needed an avenue to unleash creativity into the world without losing equity or failing to follow through. Crowdfunding is that path. But as the path is evermore cluttered with nonsense it becomes increasingly difficult to deal with.

Truly inspirational ideas are losing attention, funds and support solely because of some stupid campaign.

Consider the long term repercussions of this unfortunate eventuality.

In internet terms Potato Salad is a troll. This viral virus is ripping through the Kickstarter community and feeding the frenzy of excitement.

My Passionate Plea

Don’t share this dreadfully successful campaign. As well intentioned as it may feel founders ought be wary of its ultimate results.

Though completely innocent in its endeavors it is this type of trash which ultimately pollutes beauty.

Why waste money on rubbish?

Spend savings and support the true heroes. They are all around you. Ask yourself: will I regret this in the future? Could this simple donation to a funny fellow actually obliterate the one thing I love?

Kickstarter and the crowdfunding platforms of the world are the only defense against big business any of us have. Backers, builders and brainstormers everywhere live in a connected world where creations are a mere keystroke away.

Fight for these innovators instead. Fight for the integrity of innovation.

Save Kickstarter from itself.

Final Thoughts

Sorry about the rant but Kickstarter is too important to let die. Consider the challenges future founders will face.

What do you guys think? Is this over-reacting?

Love it, hate it? Would love to hear your opinions. Also please share if you believe others ought to hear the message and help defend crowdfunding from corruption.

Hosted by
Roy Morejon

Roy Morejon is the President of Enventys Partners, a leading product development, crowdfunding and ecommerce marketing agency in Charlotte, North Carolina, in charge of digital marketing strategy, client services, and agency growth.

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