On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 8:51 PM, Clark Robinson <robinsonchicago@gmail.com> wrote:
That's good news.On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 7:48 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for getting this up; I'll rework the text a bit soon. Also, just got a cheap new laptop (gonna stay with various girls instead of getting an apartment this month in order to afford it, which is fine by me anyway), so I'm back to full working capacity.
On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 6:25 PM, Scott Mintz <scott.w.mintz@gmail.com> wrote:Here is the updated version. I've added a few more bullet points and arbitrarily choose a donation goal of $4,000. The one other thing I'm thinking is if we should add a bullet point about who we are, listing the occupations or skill sets of high profile individuals that may add credence to the project. Also, while both Clark and I are pro-emails, I think this would be a good thing to have as a Google document. Since I'm Google illiterate, would one of you mind making in into a document?
Why are we doing this?
- In today's fragmented world, it is not easy to discover concise and accurate information on a whole range of subjects. We believe by providing a venue for productive, intellectual discourse, we can leverage the decentralized nature of the Internet to become a source of information, and to wisely take actions that are of a benefit to the world.
What makes this different from something like Wikipedia?
- Project PM will focus on providing a forum for active discussions of relevant global and local topics where no clear answer has been formed, with the intent that firm conclusions will result in actionable information. Examples of this include discussions on the best way to increase drinkable water to the indigenous populations of rural communities, or how to improve the usage of sustainable farming worldwide. Furthermore, contributors will not be anonymous, enhancing transparency and credibility.
How are you sure the resulting information is actionable?
- The truth is that we may never know the right, perfect answer, but we will strive to make as best of an informed decision as possible by leveraging our diverse network. With over X number of individuals showing interest in participating, we expect the wide range of experiences and skills set will be paramount in improving accuracy and clarity as evidenced by the theories behind the wisdom of crowds.
How do you expect the network will work?
- The details still need to be hashed out, but the main points of focus include giving everyone a fair opportunity to have their opinions heard, critiqued and commented on, providing means that improve the accuracy of contributed information, and making use of feedback mechanisms that allow for higher quality information to "rise to the top", ensuring greater accessibility of accurate information for mass consumption.
How will your money be used?
- We may use this money to seek counsel in order to put measures in place that include, but are not limited to, protecting contributors' freedom of speech, and enabling the organization us to enter into contracts in order to act upon available information with the intent of making the world a better place, etc. Also, money may be used to create and refine the innovative technologies necessary to ensure the network meets the needs we have impressed upon it such as feedback and filtering mechanisms. Finally, money raised may be used to facility the creation of an online website that is as user-friendly and scalable as possible.
Why are you asking for $4,000?
- We believe this is the minimum amount required to bring Project PM to fruition based on preliminary investigation, including the usage of free and/or reduced fee services provided by and/or brokered by institutions that are favorable to our cause. Amounts received in excess of this threshold will greatly improve our chances of a successful launch.
Is there anything else I should know?
- Yes, we may in the future seek to receive status as a non-profit organization, to increase our eligibility for grant money in order to facilitate the undertaking of various projects. Monies received through KickStart will not be used to fund charitable projects.
What do I do if I have any questions?
- Feel free to contact us at any time by using the ?send message? feature provided by KickStart. Your questions and/or comments are always appreciated.
On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 6:02 PM, Clark Robinson <robinsonchicago@gmail.com> wrote:
Maybe just leave transparency, that is just me being obsessive.
Mass consumption, that's better.
As for the important one, as I run through different terms I find myself being silly, so maybe just "a new kind of think tank"
ClarkOn Wed, May 26, 2010 at 2:19 PM, Scott Mintz <scott.w.mintz@gmail.com> wrote:I'll ponder different ideas than think tank.
Instead of transparency, what about accountability?
Instead of for the masses, what about for mass consumption?On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 3:04 PM, Clark Robinson <robinsonchicago@gmail.com> wrote:
This is fun.
Rewards: I guess giving a book would depend on the cost-per-book, so that might be an extra reward for higher donors who give somewhat more than book & shipping costs us.
Need an interesting reward for $5 donors: We should be able to burn and mail a CD for under a couple of dollars, right? Maybe Mark Adomanis would be willing to debate Barrett and we could put a video of that on CD: "Resolved: Evil Men Can Deliver Good Government?" (Something like that would be so interesting I might travel to witness it.) I think Allison Kilkenny is a supporter of this project, so maybe she would do a Citizen Radio show and let it be on the CD. I was interested to note that over half the Kickstart team live in Brooklyn -- is Brooklyn the new San Francisco? (I am not current on stuff like that.) When I was getting the links for Barrett's articles out of BushwickBK I noticed the rents for 1 bedroom apartments are comparable to Chicago, which surprised me, (I expected anywhere in NYC to be a lot more). Anyway, maybe Jeremy Sapienza or Barrett or Scott could do a video tour showing why Bushwick is a mecca for whoever it's a mecca for.
With regard to the descriptive material below, I like it and here are a couple of quibbles: I don't like the term 'think tank' applied to this--in addition to establishment connotations, I think PPM differs from a think tank in that the network structure permits new commentators or analysts who have worthwhile or important material that the citizenry should read to reach a broad audience, even if the writer is young and has not served time getting all credentialed up in government, academia or the old journalism.
Probably should work in that there is new software being built to make sure quality work gets recognized and to enable the reader to access, navigate, and participate in dialogue with the writers and other members of the PPM community. Well, you did that, now that I re-read, never mind.
I don't like the term 'transparency': its thrown around way too much currently, and it's metaphorical to begin with, so it ultimately has no concrete meaning.
I don't like the term 'the masses,' could seem patronizing.On Wed, May 26, 2010 at 10:47 AM, Scott Mintz <scott.w.mintz@gmail.com> wrote:
Those sound like good ideas, if possible. Honestly, I have no idea what to give, but I think Kickstart should rank high in priorities. I know Barrett is fairly busy working on the Manifest and VF article, but I think something like this would be very helpful in providing us with the capital necessary to put many things in motion.
I wrote the below very early in the morning so if it's verbose then I apologize. Also, it's simply my words and have no idea of their accuracy. This should simply be viewed as nothing more than a place to start (I imagine Barrett's manifest may be answering some of the same questions and possibly with different answers).
This particular piece was written with Kickstart as the main audience. Kindly let me know what you think.
Image: The Project PM Logo
Teaser: Form a self-perpetuating online-based think tank made up of a diverse group of independent thinkers whose collective knowledge will serve the public interest.
Video: A video of Barrett introducing himself, talking a little about his credentials, and what inspired him to come up with Project PM
Why are we doing this?
- In today's fragmented world, it is not easy to discover concise and accurate information on a whole range of subjects. We believe by providing a venue for productive, intellectual discourse, we can leverage the decentralized nature of the Internet to become a source of information, and to wisely take actions that are of a benefit to the world.
What makes this different from something like Wikipedia?
- Project PM will focus on providing a forum for active discussions of relevant global and local topics where no clear answer has been formed, with the intent that firm conclusions will result in actionable information. Examples of this include discussions on the best way to increase drinkable water to the indigenous populations of rural communities, or how to improve the usage of sustainable farming worldwide. Furthermore, contributors will not be anonymous, enhancing transparency and credibility.
How are you sure the resulting information is actionable?
- The truth is that we may never know the right, perfect answer, but we will strive to make as best of an informed decision as possible by leveraging our diverse network. With over X number of individuals showing interest in participating, we expect the wide range of experiences and skills set will be paramount in improving accuracy and clarity as evidenced by the theories behind the wisdom of crowds.
How do you expect the network will work?
- The details still need to be hashed out, but the main points of focus include giving everyone a fair opportunity to have their opinions heard, critiqued and commented on, providing means that improve the accuracy of contributed information, and making use of feedback mechanisms that allow for higher quality information to "rise to the top", ensuring greater accessibility of accurate information to the masses.
How will your money be used?
- We may use this money to seek counsel in order to put measures in place that include, but are not limited to, protecting contributors' freedom of speech, and enabling the organization us to enter into contracts in order to act upon available information with the intent of making the world a better place, etc. Also, money may be used to create and refine the innovative technologies necessary to ensure the network meets the needs we have impressed upon it such as feedback and filtering mechanisms. Finally, money raised may be used to facility the creation of an online website that is as user-friendly and scalable as possible.
Is there anything else I should know?
- Yes, may be in the future seek to receive status as a non-profit organization, and this may be helpful in receiving grant money to enact various undertaking of the organization. Monies received through KickStart will not be used to fund charitable projects.
What do I do if I have any questions?
- Feel free to contact us at any time by using the ?send message? feature provided by KickStart. Your questions and/or comments are always appreciated.
On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 10:57 PM, Clark Robinson <robinsonchicago@gmail.com> wrote:One of the features of Kickstart seems to be that you offer "rewards" to entice donors (Diaspora sends donors a CD with the software when they finish it), what could we offer? Free admission to a Citizen Radio event? Autographed copy of Barrett's new book?
On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 8:49 PM, Scott Mintz <scott.w.mintz@gmail.com> wrote:
Self-perpetuating fit perfectly!
On a side note, I decided to Google virtual think tank to see how original that is and I came across the attached logo at the following website:
http://virtualthinktank.net/
I have no idea if it costs something, but it may be worth trademarking the Project PM name and logo. Could the patent lawyer be able to assist with this?
Also, concurrent with that thought, does Project PM have an official web address?
On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 9:39 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:Yeah, although it might be better to call it "self-perpetuating."On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 6:36 PM, Scott Mintz <scott.w.mintz@gmail.com> wrote:
I was browsing the Kickstarter website and it certainly seems that projects such as ours may receive considerable support.
Is the following an accurate statement of Project PM?
To form a self-sustaining online-based think tank made up of a diverse group of independent thinkers whose collective knowledge will serve the public interest.
On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 9:12 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:Yes, I've actually read summaries of the case made within and have sort of integrated the concept into my thinking on PM already.On Tue, May 25, 2010 at 6:11 PM, Scott Mintz <scott.w.mintz@gmail.com> wrote:
Have either of you ever heard of the book Wisdom of Crowds? I have only read excerpts of it, but I thought its message to be highly applicable to Project PM:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wisdom_of_Crowds
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302
--
Regards,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302