Can Technology Revolutionize Consumer Citizen Activism

Can Technology Revolutionize Consumer & Citizen Activism?

Wednesday 1H

Convener: Paul D.

Notes-taker(s): Paul D.

Tags for the session - technology discussed/ideas considered:

Discussion notes, key understandings, outstanding questions, observations, and, if appropriate to this discussion: action items, next steps:

• Can technology truly help consumers/ citizens what they seek to engage with corporate, government and NGO entities.

• Can technology based solutions provide leverage when confronting the inertia and scale (both dollars and staffing) on corporate, government and NGO entities?

• Models to consider emulating included Craigslist and crowdfunding (Kickstarter, etc.)

• There was interest in exploring the potential for sustainable (rather that non-profit) models.

• Solutions should be issue and problem driven. (Policy may be an outcome, but likely not the starting point).

• Issues and problems should be clearly identified with a finite focus - rather than thematic.

• Solutions must be seamless and provide a positive user experience.  User experience includes both the application interface as well proving messaging and outcomes that build and reinforce positive momentum.

• There have many failures in addressing this market need.  These failures likely offer some “lessons learned” which include both the potential and limitations of technology in “Revolutionizing Consumer/Citizen Activism.”