Civic Intelligence | Public Sphere Project

[Morgen Peers]

> http://www.publicsphereproject.org/drupal/node/200
>
> hi all
>
> I think this project and related materials concerning "Civic
> Intelligence" as propounded by Douglas Schuler will resonate with
> changecampers.
>
> Douglas recognizes the affinities between crisis and real-time civic
> coordination. Tools and methods effective during periods of civil
> rest and participation are supportive in times of civil unrest and
> spontaneous moments requiring coordination aimed at saving lives. I
> share Douglas' proffessional interest in these matters.
>
> For those who didn't catch wind, the deployment of Ushahidi in Haiti
> is a prime example of multi-media aggregation toward Civic
> Intelligence. Begging the question: what is possible when things are
> normalized but still critical? What role can Social Crowdsourcing
> play in civil society's rapid evolution?
>
> Douglas and others in the "Community Informatics" and "Urban
> Informatics" fields are unearthing the future. Their discoveries
> should interest followers of this list.
>
> I personally recommend Michael Gurstein's threshold essay WHAT IS
> COMMUNITY INFORMATICS AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? His interest is in the
> places and policies that bridge digital divides. Overall valuing
> traditional engagement and socially inclusive methods that support
> citizenship in the emerging Information State.
>
> He is based in Vancouver. He is a global leader in this field. In
> case anyone had doubts, Canada is at the head of the comet.
>
> It seems then our challenge is to translate what we see into values
> and maxims that permit popular understanding and uptake, ie making
> the future accessible.
>
> Best,
> Morgen