Civic Intelligence Tools

Affordances

Open Protocols

Ensures ongoing innovation in all sectors (civil society included)

Imagine if Microsoft had developed the protocols!

The Internet, the web, email, RSS, new CSCW applications, etc.

Evolving (and not yet closed / colonized) system

A moving target -- difficult to keep current

Slashdot, Blogosphere

Distribution and aggregation of information

Allows easy, "natural" foci of attention to emerge

Special purpose repositories, e.g. common pool resources library

Unprecedented interconnection density

Hard to keep information hidden

Easier access to specialized information

Transnational advocacy movements

Development of alternative communication channels and information repositories

People are impatient for the information they want, not just for the information they're given.

Truthout, Common Dreams, Free Republic, Counter Punch

Accelerated Development Cycle

Results from engaged community, social protocol and distributed sub-tasks

Slashdot, antiwar vigils, "We are Sorry"

Integration with other technology, media & institutions

Including face-to-face, libraries, community radio, etc. etc. Lots of room for experimentation here!

Where's George? B92 (Serbia), Community technology centers (worldwide), World Social Forum, Meet-Ups

Rapid network creation through software platform replication

Allows "news wires", strategy and "best practices" sharing

Indymedia, NPTN

Increasing ubiquity and decreasing costs

Inherent "democratizing" potential (and increasing gap between those with and those without access)

Indymedia, NPTN