Mark Cuban has an intriguing post on The NBA and the Olympics.
What he hints at is that the Olympic Games are a closed system though and through. They are closed obviously because they include only athletes that excel in a specific discipline as judged according to certain predetermined standards.
They are a closed system because everything that happens in and around the games is commercialized. The sponsors pay for the privilege of controlling our viewing and merchandising experience.
Will the summer games in Beijing be even more controlled? Will the curtain close on the back stories of the games? You know, those about the athletes and their struggles, the human angle. Or will this be an opportunity for the brand called China to carry its own torch and story to the next century as part of the global community?
Related: we had a conversation of Olympic proportions here when we talked about the new London 2012 logo.
Today at The Blog Herald, I ask whether you are a marathon blogger or a sprinter. Your answer determines how you are going about where you're going next.
I don't know, Valeria; my innate cynicism at China's human-rights "progress" makes me think it's a waste of time expecting truly open access to anything unscripted at the Games. Maybe once they're over and folks have a chance to talk about it later...
Posted by: Robert Hruzek | June 27, 2008 at 09:25 AM
It will be indeed interesting to see what we learn in the process. One of the most passionate and generous professionals I know if from China. I have great respect for the individuals who have grown up in that cultural environment. I believe that many more will find their creative genius at an accelerated pace.
Posted by: Valeria Maltoni | June 28, 2008 at 05:38 PM