ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

I guess it depends on the age range of the judges that picked this as the first place winner but personally I feel the 2nd place video was far more relevant and touching to me personally. Maybe that's just because I'm over 50 and it hit the mark on all points.

The concept of this contest is SO worthwhile! It addresses the concerns of an older generation, and gives us an insight into the thoughts of those who will follow us. Although the decision is made regarding the winner, I thought the second place entry had a greater impact on me, as an "Over 50" person. The second place winner addressed a concern of the older generation that those who follow us will not embrace the values that we believe are central to the America that we grew up with. Then, it forced us to "go back" and see the message of hope that lies within what we saw as our concern. I found it to be an encouraging and hopeful message. Thanks to all who were involved in this effort.

Second place was a lot more creative. As an AARP member I would have picked that as the winner.

as a teenager i personally think the the second place winner, should have won. It was excellent and adressed the task :)

This "winning" video didn't blow me away with the message or content. It is a "forgettable" piece.

However, the "PALINDROME" video that you awarded second place was brilliant.....far more remarkable as it left a lasting impression.

AARP doesn't seem to "get it"..... from cozying up with Obama insider deals to this. AARP is out of touch with its constituents and obviously gravitates towards mediocrity.

I am a professional visual artist and writer. I think second place was far and beyond the best piece.

The second place video was more deserving. It was creative, thoughtful, poignant, and will be remembered long after the first place video fades away.

The first place piece is slick madison avenue advertising set for people who like short shots and stimulating imagery. Second place was simpe, had a strong message and is hard to forget. I wanted to hear it over again.

No contest between video 1 and Video 2. Guess it was the same misguided judges who awarded this years Nobel Peace Prize.

Bizarre that this one won; obviously the second place video was much more clever, took much more creativity, and was more interesting.

Seriously? This first place video is horribly droning, boring, and lacking in content. It looks and sounds like 100 other ads on television. It lost my attention about 10 seconds in. Extremely forgettable. Not only was it clearly beat in every way by the amazing second place video, but it did not even deserve serious consideration. Very amateur. It must be the creation of a relation of one or more of the judges. The second place video is so creative, extremely well done, kept my attention to the very end, and was so touching I had to watch it a few times over. It was highly polished and symbolic in many ways despite its simplicity. There is obviously some kind of hidden politics going on in this decision. Yet one more example of corruption and unfairness in our society. The judges should be ashamed.

First I thought the second place video was amazing!!!! That person has SOME talent!!! And secondly, I could NEVER support AARP for selling out our Seniors to governmet burocratic BS!!!!!

WRITING FROM ECKERD COLLEGE, ST PETERSBURG FLORIDA, which has an outstanding LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM THROUGH THE CONTINUING EDUCATION CENTER. ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE PALINDROME CREATIVE WORK BY SECOND PLACE WINNER SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRST. IT WAS FAR AND ABOVE IN MEANING AND WORDS. MY QUESTION IS: HOW CAN I GET A COPY IN PRINT PLEASE AND SEE THIS SECOND PLACE WINNER ON UTUBE? WHEN I SEARCHED FOR IT, ONLY THE FIRST PLACE CAME UP...SADLY... PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP FOR I WOULD USE IT AS A TEACHING TOOL IN CONTINUING ED PROGRAM. Sincerely, Francine

Are you wondering if the voice of the female in the first and second place winners is the same person? I am.

I agree that the second place winner should have been first as it is more compelling and intellectually creative, while the first place winner was a production but quite forgettable both in editorial and film content.

If the speaker of the first place winner is also the speaker in the second and the speaker is also the creators of the second, then maybe we could assume it was more of a collaborative effort between first and second place creators for both submissions.

Or am I missing something about the speaker?

The "frist" place was, being kind here, boring and unimaginative..forgetable
the "PALINDROME" video was by far the best.......
AARP you are always after my money and look at the stupid video you pick! BORING!!!!
You REALLY have to rethink this......... omg!!!

The "first" place was, being kind here, boring and unimaginative..forgetable
the "PALINDROME" video was by far the best.......
AARP you are always after my money and look at the stupid video you pick! BORING!!!!
You REALLY have to rethink this......... omg!!!

Second place winner stood out; should have gotten 1st place award.
Definitely Creative - for contest.
Thought provoking - for future generations.
Inspirational - for now.

as everyone else said before the second place video was better, it had a better and more obvious message about the future generation and that it will be a bad place unless we change it or we fix it. maybe they felt the second place one wasn't a "video"
but what was the message of this one. it sounds like the beginning of some kind of commercial.

Sophocles' "Oedipus Rex" also came in second.

I mean no disrespect to the producer of this video, but the second place Palindrome was much more creative, interesting, and striking. This one is very slick in a Madison Ave. type approach...just rather flat and uninteresting in comparison to the #2. Palindrome. Not only did #2. have all those good qualities, it also made a very meaningful and articulate commentary related to expectations, positive outlook, and solid goals to aim for at any age but especially by the time we reach 50!

What were the judges thinking? I came here after a friend sent me a link to #2. It was awesome. this was so dull my mind wandered as I watched.

The second place entry is the type you would mail to others. The first place entry is totally forgettable. Even the soundtrack is blah.

Years from now you can see which entry will be remembered.

Just beating the dead horse...the second place video is far superior. Would love to hear the judges' reasoning for selecting this video as the winner. Perhaps they are praising the massive number of transitions and editing required...all of which add up to a rather forgettable video.

I came here hoping to see something stellar, poignant, touching... something with substance, something with a point...
Alas, I found none of the above in the first place winner. The second place winner was all of the above. I would love to know who did the judging and what that person or people were looking for. I clearly do not see what they saw!

I am a 40-something soon to join your ranks, and I came to the AARP site after a 40-something someone forwarded me the intensely moving 2nd-place video. I had to see what could possibly have taken first prize. The answer, without disparaging 1st's efforts, was disappointing. The 2nd-place video made me weep - in disappointment and in hope, for myself and my kids. I will be passing the 2nd-place winner along to those kids. Oh they like their quick-cut video and subwoofer-challenging sound as much as the next kid, but they do not confuse production values with substance. I think, though, that the judges might. Would also love to hear the judges' thoughts.

I definitely am assuming that there was something suspicious going on with the video judging. The second place video was awe inspiring and made my mouth drop when the message all of a sudden reversed. Absolutely brilliant. However the first place video was just as everyone else said: a boring tv commercial. I just wish I could request AARP for a personal comment about the judging and their reason's behind it. I am so disappointed with AARP.

the second was much better than the first.