Social-Impact Report, Part 7

When most companies close the year, they assess their financial performance and thank their customers for sales. While we definitely succeeded on that dimension this year with over 1,000 retail locations across the United States and 300% sales growth, our far more important impact was increasing the quality of life for thousands of women and children across the globe – and we want to thank you for making that possible.  ...
Priya Haji, Co-founder and CEO
“World of Good” Social-Impact Report 2006, http://www.worldofgood.com/impact/index.shtml  

A “social-impact report”?  We have heard of “environmental-impact report”;  for example, one has to be filed with regard to the disposition of our Montebello Hills before a decision be made about the hills.  A social-impact report would talk about the probable and possible social consequences of a planned or existing activity.  

What consequences do you see from the following?

From GamePolitics.com, www.gamepolitics.com/2008/06/16/army-recruitment-going-interactive

Brand Week reports that the US Army plans to wage a game-oriented attack on subpar recruiting efforts.

In August the Army will unveil the first of a new wave of recruitment centers in which prospective soldiers will play America's Army and fly missions in Apache and Blackhawk helicopter sims.

Apple's retail stores and venues like the ESPN Zone are said to be the inspirations behind the new approach. …

Possible questions:

(1) would young, immature minds be too willing to kill in a combat zone?

(2) would young, immature minds transfer this willingness to civilian society?

(3) at which point do lessons in nonviolent problem-solving enter the picture?

(4) is it appropriate, more so because of the possible weighty consequences, for government to encourage young, immature minds into the military based on an appeal to their emotions?

August 7, 2008