Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Dusek, Ph.D. on June 28, 2013 at 4:24pm

I hadn't thought of it that way, Tony.  You're right, someday the bikes will be gone but the book, more importantly the stories it contains, could remain "forever" even if in a library or virtually.

Tony Adams 7 mi (dirtbag hipstr) said:

It does not seem to me that the goal of the project is either commoditization or monetization. If it was, the OP would not be trying to find recipient of any potential income from the project. In all likelihood the bikes will someday be gone. A book about them could last much longer and tell the stories of the bikes and their people to future generations. 

h' 1.0 said:

The Chainlink is a for-profit business. Would be very strange to tout that the proceeds are not going for profit and then give the funds to a for-profit corporation.

Not quite sure what Ride of Silence would do with the money.  Armbands/posters/jerseys/socks and professional banners? That would change the ride into something I don't think anyone would think it ought to be.

About the only place to channel the money that kind of makes sense might be the current anti-dooring campaign.... they'd probably need a chartered nfp. unmbrella organization to accept the funds so the publisher could write them off.

Overall, I find the commoditization and monetization of Ghost Bikes getting into pretty tasteless territory, regardless of who ends up squabbling over the proceeds.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Dusek, Ph.D. on June 28, 2013 at 4:27pm

Hi 'badwolf'.  I'm learning that's a far more complicated question that I ever thought possible.

There would definitely be money to be donated (assuming people purchase the book) but there doesn't seem to be one, distinct 'entity' that creates and maintains the Ghost Bikes.  I want to remind everyone I'm still in the prospectus stage and am learning a lot about this.  There are no definite plans other than to use the funds, somehow, for the bikes.  Right now I'm just trying to get this project off the ground but otherwise I'm open to suggestions.

badwolf said:

If there are indeed royalties to be donated, is there some sort of organization that creates and/or maintains these bikes that could benefit from the profits? 

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Permalink Reply by Joe Dusek, Ph.D. on June 28, 2013 at 4:29pm

I like that quote, Juan.  If this actually happens I may ask your permission to use it as a quote.

Juan Primo said:

It's all grassroots and unpaid.  Its one of the few pure anonymous acts of humanity  you'll ever see.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Dusek, Ph.D. on June 28, 2013 at 4:32pm

I don't know.  The Ghost Bikes are the visible symbol - they memorialize someone's life and serve as a reminder to be f'in careful when opening your car door.  Frankly, they've made me more mindful.

h' 1.0 said:

Maybe not the goal, but an unwanted and unavoidable byproduct.

Can the ghost bikes be left out of the equation, and the goal just be to have a book that tells the story of a selected subset of fallen cyclists?

Tony Adams 7 mi (dirtbag hipstr) said:

It does not seem to me that the goal of the project is either commoditization or monetization. If it was, the OP would not be trying to find recipient of any potential income from the project. In all likelihood the bikes will someday be gone. A book about them could last much longer and tell the stories of the bikes and their people to future generations. 

h' 1.0 said:

The Chainlink is a for-profit business. Would be very strange to tout that the proceeds are not going for profit and then give the funds to a for-profit corporation.

Not quite sure what Ride of Silence would do with the money.  Armbands/posters/jerseys/socks and professional banners? That would change the ride into something I don't think anyone would think it ought to be.

About the only place to channel the money that kind of makes sense might be the current anti-dooring campaign.... they'd probably need a chartered nfp. unmbrella organization to accept the funds so the publisher could write them off.

Overall, I find the commoditization and monetization of Ghost Bikes getting into pretty tasteless territory, regardless of who ends up squabbling over the proceeds.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe Dusek, Ph.D. on June 28, 2013 at 4:33pm

Thanks!  I'll check out this "Look Chicago!"

h' 1.0 said:

http://www.thechainlink.org/group/look-chicago

Be sure to include a succinct note in your join request explaining your interest.

Joe Dusek, Ph.D. said:

I can check this out.  Do you know who "runs" the anti-dooring campaign?  Can you put me in touch with them?

h' 1.0 said:

The Chainlink is a for-profit business. Would be very strange to tout that the proceeds are not going for profit and then give the funds to a for-profit corporation.

Not quite sure what Ride of Silence would do with the money.  Armbands/posters/jerseys/socks and professional banners? That would change the ride into something I don't think anyone would think it ought to be.

About the only place to channel the money that kind of makes sense might be the current anti-dooring campaign.... they'd probably need a chartered nfp. unmbrella organization to accept the funds so the publisher could write them off.

Overall, I find the commoditization and monetization of Ghost Bikes getting into pretty tasteless territory, regardless of who ends up squabbling over the proceeds.

• ▶ Reply

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