Because TwoFiveSix was the best conference I’ve been to in a very, very long time I created virtual version of the conference by scraping twitter for anyone interacting with the #twofivesix hashtag:
https://twitter.com/kmikeym/twofivesix
Because it seemed like kind of a drag I used odesk to hire someone to look through all the mentions of #twofivesix and compile the list.
Travelled to Washington DC for the first time. I love any city were I stumble across more than one Brooks Brothers. I saw Sam Donaldson in the lobby of our hotel. I was bummed he was wearing plaid.
Then went to New York for the TwoFiveSix conference and that was amazing. I haven’t felt as excited about games and Jumpbots! since we first started. An incredible line up and Jamin Warren (conference host and Kill Screen co-founder) should be a television host.
After the conference we spent two days in New York meeting with people and doing a little shopping. On Tuesday we flew to Seattle to meet with Corey Lewis and talk about comics, games, and Iron Man 3. And now we’re back home getting to work!
Currently we’re working on:
* Jumpbots! (of course)
* New romance contract
* Upcoming share auction
As always we welcome questions, comments, and ideas from shareholders on the forums.
One of the highlights of being featured on the TODAY Show and being mentioned in The Atlantic and WIRED has been getting an unfiltered critique of KmikeyM. While many people have advised us to ignore the comment sections of various websites we highly value the critical feedback and actively enjoy engaging with those willing to invest their time in telling us what is wrong with KmikeyM.
One of the best of these exchanges was with Rick Pace of Pace Photography and he agreed that we could share our exchange as long as we included a link back to him. A sincere thank you to Rick for his time and questions!
1. Let me first say I understand what you are doing is a gimmick to make money, and if people buy into it good for you. People buy into honey boo boo as well. It doesn’t make them smart.
Gimmick is an interesting term, but I think the larger point we’re discussing is motivation. Here’s some context: this all started with close friends! I’ve been doing this for five years, and I fully expect to be doing it in five more years. People buy in because it’s fun! I try to keep it fun for them. I appreciate that they want to take part and I work to live up to those expectations.
2. You are having your whole life controlled by mostly strangers. How did you even start this? Who would put money into this?
Like I said, initially mostly friends , but it’s open because I think the kind of people who will invest are like me in some way. If I saw this I would invest! As for motivations… Again, it’s fun! You get to guide a person in their life. It’s a wonderful strategic game with real stakes! (I like games. I design them as my day job.)
3. Did you start this because you are incapable of making decisions?
Not incapable, but I admit I have faults and this is a system to hold me accountable to my peers.
4. Do you do it because you feel you can’t be held responsible for your own actions? “Well some guys I don’t know told me to” isn’t a good excuse or reason.
But some people who invested their hard earned money WANT me to do these things! I made a promise and I want to live up to that promise.
Isn’t a “law” just something a stranger told you to do or not do? :)
5. Also, how is this enforceable? You are all of a sudden republican? That should be YOUR choice. How will anyone actually know who you vote for. Brainwashed much? Maybe you should change religions next. Maybe you should turn gay? Where is the line?
It’s only as enforceable as I choose to make it. That’s why I describe it as a high risk investment. If I choose to quit, everyone gets screwed over! If people think I’m going to do that, they should not buy shares! I advise most people not to buy shares until they’ve done their research.
6. What if you want to break up with your girlfriend, but they won’t let you? Guess you just have to be unhappy.
True!
7. Can you buy back shares? Is this just because you don’t want a “real job”?
I have a real job! And I could make an offer to buy shares back, but the shareholders would have to approve it.
8. (I had said, “I think the process of applying a system to interpersonal relationships and personal choices is not as odd as it may seem. We all do it subconsciously!”) We don’t all do it subconsciously, no matter how bad you may want that to be true.
Oh, I just mean things like the rules of society. Like how we all wear pants or whatever. As much as we like to think we are unique special snowflakes the truth is we are very shaped by our community. This is a good thing!
9. Do you expect only gullible people with disposable income to buy into this?
I agree, but I wouldn’t use those words. I expect people who identify something of value (what that might be is different for each person!) in this project and who have disposable income they can risk will buy into this.
No one should invest large amounts unless they can afford to lose it. The price could go down! Be careful! If anyone is worried about the risks of me just taking the money and running off to the Cayman Islands they should not invest. (And that’s okay, we can still be friends.)
*Well, asked once by Rick Pace. :)
As part of the K5M Research Lab we have met on regular occasions with Shareholder Marcus Estes for what we called the “Imaginary Software Club” where we’d spec out ideas for various applications and games together. One of these ideas was based on our early adoption of the Nike Fuel Band. We enjoyed earning “fuel” but kept thinking about an economy based on the fuel being earned. That is to say, what if we could spend the points?
In April of 2012 we saw some news that lined up perfectly with that idea: NIKE OPENS ITS FUEL BAND API TO DEVELOPERS TO CREATE A MORE USEFUL PRODUCT. Marcus and I immediately began discussions about a virtual economy run on NikeFuel.
As our idea progressed we wondered about its feasability and asked for the API.
@nikesupport There’s a lot of press that seems to suggest a public API (bit.ly/Hhadw8). Is there a partner program to apply to?
— Marcus Estes (@marcusestes) September 28, 2012
We were a bit early, but in December Nike announced the Nike+ Accelerator powered by TechStars. Marcus and I agreed we should polish up our idea and submit it by the February 3rd deadline.
In January we met with people from Nike and TechStars and showed them our concept video; we got great feedback but understood that the competition was tough. We were beyond excited when we heard we’d selected as one of the ten participants, and the only “local” company to be selected from Portland.
We now have three months to work closely with the Nike and TechStars team to turn a this concept into a real product with the help of mentoring from an amazing group of people. This is an unique opportunity for KmikeyM to gain experience in the world of start-up companies and venture capitalism. The potential makes us both nervous and excited; we think that is a good sign.
And with an astounding level of shareholder support we begin this new venture today: Chroma Games, a Delaware Corporation. (Follow @JumpBots to keep up with the new venture!)
KmikeyM has demonstrated commendable commitment to health and wellness over the last two years, along the way implementing a rigorous exercise regimen and eliminating essentially all “junk food”. The Juice & Salad focus of early 2012 facilitated dramatic changes to KmikeyM’s appearance. Post Juice & Salad, we’ve continued our focus on healthy eating to maintain optimal health for the purpose of increasing shareholder wealth. Dietary choices made for KmikeyM must reflect the healthy lifestyle shareholders expect to ensure the longevity of their continued investment.
Because the goal of the KmikeyM diet is primarily the promotion of health and vitality, we propose the occasional and judicious addition of meat. We believe this change will reflect the goals of KmikeyM and provide for increased options for healthy eating.
Additionally, this dietary change would allow us to more closely align our habits with our shareholder sanctioned romantic partner (Shareholder #160). Shareholder #160 has become our primary dining companion and fully participates in and encourages our healthy eating. A mutual love of juice, salad and oysters has allowed KmikeyM to bond with Shareholder #160 over many healthful lunches at Prasad, and we look forward to expanding our romantic horizons through further culinary adventures together.
