Ok, ok, ok. I know 80% of you are groaning, having just read the words
progressive website idea. "Isn't that what we already have
right here?!"
A valid question. But hear me out.
First off - a little background. I'm a web programmer by trade, and like everyone else here, was first absolutely shocked - then thrust into abject despair - by this election. I'm finding myself regrouping, and at this point I need a project, something to get me through the next few weeks. It's November of 2004. We've got a little bit of down time - but it doesn't have to be completely inactive.
What I'm envisioning can be pretty simple. It can be entertaining. It can draw on aspects of community very much at play here on dk. It would exist as its own separate entity, but would be quite symbiotic with the rest of the progressive web.
What I'm proposing is this: "MakingTheMessage.com". An online repository for new words, memes, terminology and spin (yes, call it was it is - "spin") that we're trying to inject into the mass media, and into American culture as a whole. Over the last few days, I've been thinking about the process of reframing certain issues, an idea described by many of the diaries here. This website would function as a sounding board for that cause, as well as a call to action. Here it is, laid out as simply as I can (I apologize - it's 1:45 AM here):
- Lists of words, phrases, ideas and terminology, along with descriptions of how they should be used, how they're currently used. Examples: "reality-based media", "bigots" (referencing all people - everyone who voted for GWB this term), "wingers", etc...
- A method by which these words, phrases, etc... could be scored for importance, validity, etc... (not unlike the dk rating system)
- Here's where it starts getting fun (and where it starts to turn into a game - I know, not as important as GOTV, or donations, or anything - but we need some levity, for God's sake): stories about how you've used these words & phrases, the reactions they've had, etc... along with an HotOrNot style rating system for scoring each story (this is obviously for fun, using the honor system.)
- And finally, the most important part, examples of use of these words & phrases within the mainstream media, and by your friends and neighbors, along with their accompanying scores.
Addtionally, I can imagine that our KOSing of polls, blogs, etc... & rapid response could also be handled through this website, since it all falls under the category of Making The Message - however I imagine the rapid response network and other sites have this pretty well covered.
So what do you think? It's not the most coherent idea in the world, but I think it could have an effect - and at the very least, lead to some humor and some small sense of satisfaction (for example, reading about the "reality-based problems" facing the President, as depicted in one of the major media publications - I forget which one). For whatever reason, I think I have the ability to change people's minds when I speak (heh, perhaps the lateness of the hour is getting to me), and I know there are many others around here and the progressive web who have similar talents and inclinations.
Whaddya think? This weekend, is it going to be just me walking into my gym, standing at the front desk, sighing sadly, and then remarking, "I can't believe we let bigots decide this election." Or is it going to be 10,000 of us, all across the world?