Social Networks

Documentary Investors Wanted: Citizen Journalists, Activists and Social Change

Fresh off an Obama Organizing Fellowship in the swing state of Missouri, I am (working...quickly! :-) ) to raise funds to produce a documentary film -- FROM DENVER TO NOVEMBER -- about the netroots, its impact on Presidential politics and the potential for a brand new model of social change under an Obama administration.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2740125846_f6dd1fffae_m.jpgEvidence -- plus my own intuition / experience -- suggest an Obama administration can deliver a new model of social change: a parallel path coordinating top-down governmental change with unprecedented community action, efficiently enabled by web technology, social media, and where both citizen activists and citizen journalists play vital roles.


We Are the Change

When Bill Clinton ran for President, he brought Hillary into the equation. Bill's appeal: a "two for one." What's not to like about benefitting from the experience and commitment of two accomplished public servants?

So what might Obama bring to the White House?

How about a critical-mass manifestation of George H.W. Bush's "a thousand points of light"?

It's the perfect storm:

  • a candidate with a community organizing background;
  • expert use of the Internet to efficiently connect and mobilize the masses; and
  • a huge and growing database of Obama activists, most of whom have flagged those issues -- Economy, Education, War, etc. -- that personally matter most.

Never before have we had the means and national motive to engage individuals en masse, after an election to contribute to solving social and environmental challenges.


MTV: 80% of Youth Want to Take Action

Think MTVFrom the brilliant people who originally created an ad-supported cable channel whose programming consisted of music advertising (in the form of entertainment (read: videos)), MTV last week launched Think.MTV.com, a community site (in beta) for young people to find information about getting involved in good causes. Tricked out with tools to find, mobilize other people with similar interests, and recognize those who take action, the site is in beta. A 2006 study by MTV found that 80 percent of young people want to help their community and take action to support causes, but only 19 percent describe themselves as “very involved.”


XiaoliINFLUENTIAL Showdown

So there may not be any side kicks to the ribs......

Still, we're looking forward to the upcoming "Word of Mouth Marketing - How it Works and the Role of Influencers" WebCast this Wednesday.


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