(non) starter dot org

[Joe Corneli]

Luke wrote to me about starter.org which is in some ways similar to
nonstarter.org, and at an approximately similar stage of development.
We're interested to look at ways of working together.

As I see it, starter.org is more inherently collaborative, and doesn't
necessarily emphasize the crowdfunding concept.

"Starter.org is essentially a GitHub for creative-minded individuals
to collaborate on ideas."

On the other hand, nonstarter.org emphasizes crowdfunding and a sort
of "idea marketplace".

I can easily see how nonstarter could be used as a sort of "frontend"
to starter.org.

Then there is the political aspect.

"[Starter.org is] an organization whose objective is the pursuit of
open and progressive initiatives for social change."

I'm all for that, but I would say that nonstarter.org will be far
along towards the radical side of the spectrum, pirate bay style,
maybe even silk road style. I don't see anything particularly
progressive about funding porn films, for example, but having an open
market for funding "whatever" is itself a somewhat radical notion.

I'm not trying to be contentious just to be contentious: I'd like to
trace out the boundaries of power and control, and I am not personally
prepared to be "progressive" until I know more about what that means.
At the same time, I see nonstarter.org not just as an alternative to
kickstarter.com, but as an alternative to mainstream government, and
certainly to mainstream bodies for funding artistic projects. One
thing the two projects seem to have in common is the desire to do
things in an "open" way.

I feel a little bit like I am playing Ozymandias to Luke's Nite Owl
II, but maybe I read too many comic books.

CommentS?

[Luke]

Sure. I'll give you my take on it.

As I see these two projects, nonstarter.org supplements the
starter.org platform by giving people a means for funding, and since
projects are 'open-projects', many of them will be not-for-profit.

With the starter.org platform, I hope to provide a minimalist
framework that will allow people within communities to create
together. For example, the platform will not have a project management
or task management system. I'm leaving that up to those who
participate in open-development, because (1) there are more mature and
developed systems in existence and (2) starter.org is for all kinds of
projects and one system may not work with everything. But by simply
existing, nonstarter.org can provide a way for people working on
relevant projects to drive funding that kickstarter otherwise would
not be able to do.

I do not mean 'progressive' politically; I'm using the definition:
"favoring or promoting change or innovation". Social change moving in
a positive direction. I'm not abiding to any political ideology.

And keep in mind, this is the goal of the organization and not
necessarily the goal of the platform, (which are two things).

I see both starter.org and nonstarter.org potentially playing a role
in social enterprise. The US is currently implementing social impact
bonds, which the UK is also experimenting with. In the US, SIBs are to
be funded by private investors, who are rewarded for investing in
social enterprise that effectively drives social progress.
Nonstarter.org could potentially play a similar role through
crowdfunding, rather than private investment. Just a few thoughts.

I believe we both see power in openness. Let's harness that.

Luke