About MiND

As a result of the changes that we’ve seen in society and in TV, we created MiND. Here’s a brief introduction. The best way to learn about us is to watch MiND.

Every MiND program is 5 minutes long.

• MiND’s programs focus on many, diverse topics—ideal for introductions to new ideas, or for in-depth explorations of specific ideas.
• Anyone person with a camcorder can produce a 5-minute program.
• Every hour of MiND’s television schedule contains eleven 5-minute programs. (Imagine how much you can learn in an hour!)

MiND programs cover lots of topics from many points of view.

• Half of MiND’s programs are produced by MiND. The other half are produced by MiND’s members.
• On MiND, you’ll see (and we hope you’ll make) 5-minute programs featuring people and ideas that you rarely see on TV.
• When you watch MiND, you will always learn something.
• We’ve already produced programs featuring best-selling author Frank McCourt; graphic novelist Alison Bechdel; the chiropractor whose office is across the street from our studio and who knows a lot about the spine; US Congressman Dennis Kucinich; a visit to the Montreal Jazz Festival; and a woman who fulfilled her dream of becoming a union carpenter.
• We appreciate debate and stories told from multiple perspectives. We want lots of people to take part, with lots of different ideas. We want MiND to represent the community.

We are teaching people how to make media.

• MiND works best if everyone gets involved. For those who have not yet learned how to make TV, MiND provides training on TV, on the web, on-site and through community events.
• MiND is putting the power of media into the hands of the people. Attend our member training workshops to learn more about media making for television!

MiND has a Long Tail.

• With few exceptions, TV channels are built on hit shows that air once or twice and then disappear. MiND operates differently: every program has value, so it's always available.

MiND doesn’t waste your time.

• For the most part, TV is a passive medium, America’s baby-sitter. TV doesn’t demand much (except that we buy an advertised brand of soap or beer). MiND doesn’t waste your time. Instead, you’ll learn something every time you watch MiND, and hopefully, you’ll be inspired to learn more, or to do something that helps to change the world!

MiND is fun.

• We believe that TV takes itself far too seriously. Everything is so scripted, so choreographed, so carefully produced. We’re more relaxed. We try out different ideas and we encourage you to do the same when making your 5-minute program!
• It’s a lot more fun to make something together than it is to make something alone. We don’t want to build yet another TV channel that gets sent out to viewers “out there.” We want to build this channel with you. (Collaboration is fun.)
• We believe that learning something new is fun.

You can watch every MiND program on TV and on the internet.

• We hope you will watch, and we hope that you will produce programs as an active member of the MiND community.

The people who work at MiND tend to read a lot of books; travel often (and as far away as possible); listen to all sorts of music; try out new foods; spend a lot of time outdoors, and are willing to reinvent something as unchangeable as American television. We hope you’ll join us.

Next: MiND & Learning