Oh, we’re talking about a genuinely worthy cause here, the Youth for Technology Foundation. And I’m sure that the campaign organizers at Cambrian House, Inc., have nothing but the best of intentions — both charitable and, let’s be honest, self-promotional.
So call me a nitpicker, but there’s something about this fundraising effort — “Follow the White Laptop” — that’s too cute by half, not to mention a tad disingenuous.
The stated aim is simple and unassailably generous: Take one white MacBook, have it signed by as many technology celebrities as time and surface area allows, auction off the sucker on eBay, and contribute the proceeds to the Youth for Technology Foundation.
According to the press release: “The campaign kicked off by delivering a new white MacBook to Guy Kawasaki, the former Apple evangelist, in hopes of him signing it and sending it off to another ‘technology rock star.’ “
In hopes of him signing it? … Are we honestly to believe that someone from Cambrian House tip-toed up to Kawasaki’s front door unannounced and dropped off the MacBook with a note pinned to its case explaining the whole thing “in hopes” he might go along? And the MacBook/Apple evangelist thing: coincidence? Now if they’d sent him a Sharpie and a ThinkPad maybe …
Read the release a little closer and visit the campaign’s Web site and it becomes pretty clear that Kawasaki’s participation isn’t a cliffhanger.
So what’s next?
From the release: “The company is hoping the laptop gets passed onto a diverse range of technology entrepreneurs including people like Bill Gates (Microsoft), Kevin Rose (Digg.com), Steve Jobs (Apple), Ze Frank (zefrank.com), and Chris DeWolfe (MySpace).”
Again with the hoping. My guess is that Kawasaki knows some of these tech luminaries and an arm’s-length list of others. Imagine the fun if he dropped the MacBook on one of ’em without a head’s up first? Right. Unlikely.
So, Bill, you gonna sign … or take the PR hit? Steve? I don’t want to say you’re obligated or anything, but we saved a spot for you right near the logo? Kevin? Maybe the Diggers ought to take a vote.
Here’s hoping they raise a million bucks.
