OBSERVATION*: Twitter has been a revolutionary idea but it has not been a conductor of revolutionary ideas. Inquiry: Will it ever? Should it?

*Communicated via @lavvocato’s Twitter account

REPLY: With such an abundance of ideas shared via Twitter it is difficult to say whether any of these ideas are indeed revolutionary. Yet, new media as a whole has become a central component of socio-political efforts to engage, educate, and propel citizens into action.

Although the framers of the Constitution may not have envisioned mass citizen action, it is without question that with the granting of rights came mechanisms for citizens, individually and collectively, to maintain those rights. Assuming that consistent mass civic action in America is a revolutionary idea, new media can prove itself as a viable conductor of revolutionary ideas by serving as a mechanism to increase civic action in both election and non-election years.

PREMISE: The Campaign aims to inspire civic participation and illustrate the various ways citizens can and do use social media to be informed, express opinions and take action. This goal will be reached by creating literary, photographic and video content based on social, economic and political themes packaged in a format that is entertaining, inspirational and insightful.

TARGET AUDIENCE, The Thriving Millennials (18-35): The Thriving Millennials represent the most imaginative and capable group in America. Further, they have a lifting as they climb mentality: as they thrive, they extend their resources to help others thrive. They employ technological savvy to curate ideas, exhibit those ideas, and put those ideas into action. The Thriving Millennials are positioned to progress American society and reduce the economic, political, and judicial inequity that currently exists; thus, they are well-suited advocates for marginalized citizens.

The Thriving Millennials will lead the next 50 years with the Internet as a valuable tool, if not the most valuable tool. Because of our interconnectivity: people across the globe are gaining a greater appreciation of foreign cultures; atrocities that once went largely unknown are now being brought to fore quickly and quelled; and the notion of becoming one world is actualizing.

PLATFORM: The Mortgage and Banking Crises proved that the top 10% of American’s having free reign over the economy is not an effective way to move the country forward. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have shown the limitations of our military force. Our wealth and military capacity in combination are great enough to keep us amongst the global elite, yet to maintain our position as a global leader we need more. America’s position as a global leader is predicated on the progression of its citizenry.

1. Objective: Build Cathedrals of Learning

1. Focus: Highlighting the fact that failure to provide a world class education for all American citizens is an anchor on American progression.

2. Basis: The value of manual labor during the industrial era overshadowed the value of advanced education. Now the definition of skilled labor has evolved from being based on physical capability to intellectual capacity. Brains, more so than brawn, will be the key to global leadership.

2. Objective: Make it in America

1. Focus: Cultivating resources for entrepreneurship and local business development.  

2. Basis: Restoring the American workforce requires investing in young American creators. The creation of small businesses contributes substantially to the American economy; yet the process of acquiring capital, private or public, keeps many capable participants out of the game. What young entrepreneurs lack in business experience and record of accomplishment they make up for in creativity and fearlessness in the face of likely failure, both key characteristics to entrepreneurial success.   

3. Objective: Feed Starving Artists

1. Focus: Promoting the increase in arts education nationwide and investment in artist development.

2. Basis: The works of American artists serve as ambassadors of American culture around the world. However, digital distribution has lead to a culture of consumers expecting art to be free. This has already had a detrimental affect on the music industry and it is inevitable that the motion picture and publishing industries will suffer a similar fate if piracy protection does not advance at a more rapid pace. Never before has the need for art patronage been greater.