BP Fail
So, I don't know why, but I sort of feel like the country isn't enraged enough by what has happened down in the Gulf with the oil spill and BP.
I was 9 years old when the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred, yet I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the outrage and photo after photo after photo of birds and other oil-caked animals.
Where is all of that today?
Is it because our media is so saturated that we can't stick with a story long enough to actually do it justice, even if that story has to do with day after day of watching thousands of barrels of oil being dumped into the Gulf, destroying our precious resources?
Where is the outrage? Or has the outrage become so cookie-cutter that we don't even recognize it? After all, a Senate hearing aimed at chastising BP and others associated with this disaster really shouldn't look the same as a Senate hearing intended to quiz Major League Baseball about steroid use: But it did!
So what, Ian? So what are you going to do? You're a social media geek, what can you do, Ian?
Well about a week ago I posted to my Facebook status that I wouldn't join any "I hate BP" Facbeook fan pages. I don't like when people make political statements on Facebook, and I honestly don't see what they achieve. People join these fan pages with goofy names and the pages tend to go stagnant, really not accomplishing anything. If you want to tell me how you stand politically, then jot that down in your info section, I'll respect that more.
Instead of joining a fan page, I said I'd simply boycott BP (there are two within 2 miles of my home.)
But then it struck me yesterday, as I passed one of the BPs that I said I would boycott: FOURSQUARE.
For those of you not familiar with Foursquare, it's another social media tool that allows people to check-in at specific locations. There's a whole host of other functions, but those are the basics of it. Along with the check-ins you can offer tips about the location. So if you're checking in at a restaurant, you can later add a tip about how people must try the lasagna there.
With that in mind, I this morning decided to add this tip to all of the BPs marked as venues in Beaufort County (there are 3 of them):
Great place to get gas if you want to line the pockets of a company that dumped thousands of barrels of oil a day into the Gulf, killing more animals than you can imagine and crippling the coastline.
This tip will show up when people check in at the BP on Foursquare or at a venue within close proximity to the BP.
I feel this was my way to communicate my disgust for what's happened in the Gulf, and I invite others around the country to follow suit.
Now believe me, it's not like I believe this action of mine doesn't come with a bit of hypocrisy on my part. I wouldn't use Facebook to send a message, but I'll use Foursquare.
Here's how I rationalize it: I feel like joining a fan page on Facebook is like the pack mentality. You join the page because everyone else is doing it, and give it little thought. When you step out from behind the computer you likely won't let your fan page allegiance determine where you fill up your tank. On the other hand, checking in on Foursquare is a deliberate action, and what I feel can be an educational opportunity for the person checking in. It's my opportunity to speak to them and open their minds. It's not a mindless click of the 'like' button, but a real interaction. Does that make sense?
Before I even completed this blog a conversation on Twitter already arose over whether Foursquare is the right venue to air our gripes, whether they be in regard to something of the magnitude of BP and the Gulf or as minimal as bad service at a restaurant.
I'm not sure what the answer is. I know I generally don't like when people turn social media platforms into their own protest playgrounds, but I felt the BP issue was important enough. It just felt right in my gut.
What do you think?
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 9:41AM 9 Comments 
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Reader Comments (9)
Here's what I don't understand, and perhaps I'm just naive: What are you actually trying to accomplish? Didn't they already agree to foot the bill? Aren't they trying to fix it quickly and effectively? What more can they do?
They screwed up and they know it, and they're trying to fix it -- from everything I've seen, they're not denying that. If they're actually trying to fix it, we should be encouraging them to keep up that momentum, otherwise we only have the same effect as a nagging wife does to a husband when she wants the house painted.
Are you absolutely certain you're not just angry and trying to take your anger out in a vigilante manner, or are you actually trying to get them to do more than what they've already done?
I would encourage you to reflect on this carefully before answering, because I know if I read this my initial response would be very defensive -- however I assure you, I mean no offense, but am only posing reflective questions to be asked introspectively.
I think that's a fair question, Charles, and I don't take it personally, so don't worry.
I don't think it's as black and white as me taking my anger out on BP or BP knowing they screwed up and simply trying to fix it, as you put it.
I think there's a larger issue of greed here. How did we get to the point where BP was allowed to fail this massively. Is that entirely BPs fault? I'd say not. Are there other companies it could have happened to, surely there are.
But it happened to BP, and BP in my opinion reacted about as poorly as possible and I don't believe is being as transparent as you believe they are. But we can differ there in our opinions of that.
I think what ties this all in together is that BP, as a brand, has failed. No differently then a fast-food chain that doesn't allow a person in a restaurant based on race. Sure, they might acknowledge it, but does that mean they shouldn't be called out for their failure. And what if that failure originated from the brand's corporate center, not from some franchised small mom and pop shop?
The brand has failed, Charles. That's my opinion. It has failed all of us.
Does that make sense?
I do like being called a vigilante, though.
I totally agree with joining political fan pages. I have never really joined one of these pages and I never really knew why it never appealed to me. I believe you hit the nail on the head with "People join these fan pages with goofy names and the pages tend to go stagnant, really not accomplishing anything. If you want to tell me how you stand politically, then jot that down in your info section, I'll respect that more."
I am also deeply saddened by what has happened in the gulf. It was only a matter of time before this happened and now the domino effect will surely effect all of us in some way. But if you are going to boycott BP then you might as well do the same with Shell and every other oil company because this could have easily happened to them. Sadly, we are all dependent on these companies. And until we utilize other energy sources with will continue to be.
On another note, I like to compare Foursquare to a game of punch bug. It is always fun to play but when someone hits too hard it takes the fun out of it. I enjoy playing Foursquare and I hope it does not turn into everyone's soap box as Facebook and Twitter has become. It is a social media game, not to be taken too seriously. Don't hit too hard or no one will want to play. :)
Your statements make sense, and while I cannot say weather or not they're doing what they say, at least not at this point, but I have not seen them backing down from what they say they'd do yet.
The difference I'd beg in your comparison to BP to a fast food chain not allowing a certain race, is that they seem to be making efforts to clean up the damage, IE: Repentance. Now, once the damage is cleaned up, I can see us a people pressuring them to make sure it doesn't happen ever again. but that's a specific cause, with a specific goal -- IE: I have something to demand, not just a general negative backlash.
the difference between a leader and a vigilante is that a leader is angry, and uses his anger righteously to achieve a goal, whereas a vigilante simply wants to lash out.
Let us make sure we always give our anger a goal. "Be angry, but do not sin" as it were by my personal convictions I am an ambassador of Christ, and I have to ask myself "does reacting this way honor God" but those are my own personal convictions that I dare not hold over you. As long as you have a clear coincidence and a clear goal, then I have no argument.
You have inspired me my friend. I think it's a well-placed idea you have. I also agree that our national attention span is non-existent. We have so many Idol's, and Apps, and Pads, to focus on that we've really put up our 'gone fishing' signs when it comes to paying attention to the truly important issues. I think we've lost our passionate woodstock spark that is lingering somewhere in our genetic lining. To the complainers of the world: If you choose to complain, be sure to back your complaint with a change you've made to combat or resolve the change. Great work Ian. Very creative and inspired. I would do the same if I could find a BP in Albany. Maybe I'll boycott Hess instead for running in the same circle. Either way, it's nice to see some passion in this world.
Great idea, and I'd love to boycott BP, really I would. However, I need to fill up my gas tank SOMEWHERE (at least, until I wind up with an electric car). So my choices are this:
1. Idiot company who caused the Gulf oil spill (BP/Hess/Amoco) - BTW, don't forget those other brands are also BP!
2. Companies that primarily get their oil from middle east countries that sponsor terrorism and want to kill us all (Mobil/Exxon/Shell, etc)
3. Companies that primarily get their oil from Venezuela, whose leader hates us and also probably wants to kill us and/or ruin our economy (Citgo/Sunoco, etc)
Doesn't really leave me too many choices!
Time for me to jump up on my soap box. Two points: Oil is messy, ugly stuff, no matter who drills for it. It's dead dinosaurs that we are using without a lot of thought and, for Americans, not a lot of costs. Europe has long included more of the true cost of the fuel into the price of a litre. We do not.
Second point: Electric cars are not the answer, either. They just transfer one unpleasant fuel -- oil -- for another -- coal. Remember West Virginia, just weeks ago? Also, what are we going to do with all of the toxins in batteries? Oh yeah, dump them in third world countries.
So what's the answer? Factor the risk, costs and consequences in the price of commodities. Then people will realize they are precious, use them sparingly and work harder to find alternatives.
Boycotting BP just means more profit for Shell (or whomever). I sincerely doubt they'll use it for safety measures....
Kudos Ian, I think it's really important for people to speak up about their views, on facebook, foursquare or anywhere, especially on this particular BP/spill topic.
This mess devastating in the fullest sense; my suggestion to BP is to commit corporate hari kari-- liquidate (and give stockholders a tax break, plenty would donate anyway) and invest those funds into total clean up and rebuilding of the gulf, which would include development of new energy. BP's self-sacrafice is the only decent thing they can do right now.
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