A while ago a kid named Ryan in Massachusetts posted this Youtube video (left). It's just him asking people to call his phone number. I didn't think much of it until I saw his second video (below), in which he talks about some of the people who have called him. Some people are claiming that he's received over 100,000 calls.
I can't claim to have some intimate knowledge about his reasons for doing this. It seems kind of crazy. But, I can't help but think I wish I thought of it first. The idea of people just calling to say hello, ask your advice - the opportunity to help other people and make the whole world feel a little bit smaller. That's the beauty of media and mass media. And I think it's really neat that Ryan has decided to do this.
Some people are saying it's a scam. It doesn't feel like it to me. I suppose it could be. I called the number and it rang once and went to a very nice voicemail, asking me to call back. If you've got a problem, might as well call. It can't hurt.
I saw him on the Today show. Meredith Viera conducted an as-usual weak interview, but Ryan was cool. I agree with you -- this is a nice expression of connecting with humanity. As Ruth Gordon said in 'Harold and Maude when she was explaining why she was a people person, "They're my species."
Posted by: Kenneth | June 09, 2007 at 12:09 PM
saw him on the Today show last week. merideth interviewed him. his phone was constantly ringing and he even answered a couple of calls.
Posted by: DJ Bunny | April 29, 2007 at 09:01 AM