What should we build together?
Time for a Constitutional Convention, if you will. We clearly need a new, stronger ecosystem for pro-democracy media and activism. What do we want to see in the world? How do we build it together?
And now for something completely different.
It’s time to open this discussion up even more, more than just the mailbag Q&As I’ve been doing.
We need to have a much bigger discussion about what we’re going to build together in the weeks, months, and years ahead — consider it a rolling Constitutional Convention for the pro-democracy coalition and ecosystem.
What do you want to see in the world — to help us in the fights for democracy and freedom and against fascism, fraud, corruption, and kleptocracy? What do the blueprints look like for a new renaissance of pro-democracy projects and groups?
Let’s ask more questions and come up with more answers — and make sure to join this conversation in the comments below. I’ll be including the best ideas and thoughts in upcoming pieces as well as audio and video content on here and elsewhere.
1 - Media
Do we need new media projects and organizations? Or new platforms? What should they be?
Who should be part of them? What voices do you want to hear more from? As hosts? As guests?
What issues do you think should be discussed?
Where do you consume the most content? Where would you like to see more content being produced?
If you were starting or running a media company today, what would you do differently?
If you could wave a magic wand and see more collaborations, who would those involve? Or more specifically, whom would you like to see me work with, either as guests or as more regular collaborators?
Imagine a dream team of pro-democracy content creators. Who would be on your dream team?
2 - Community and Events
What about building more community structures, both online and in person?
What do you wish existed that doesn’t already exist?
Would you start or be part of a local community group to help bring folks together and to help everyone get in the fight?
Would you attend live meetups, events, or cons with your favorite pro-democracy creators? Online? In person?
If you could get a group of creators to host an event online or in person, who would it include? And what would the format be?
What about other activities, like house parties, trivia nights, anything?
3 - Activism
What actions do you think need to be taken as we head into 2025 and beyond?
What should the strategy be?
How do you plan to get involved? Or how do you wish others would get involved? What actions are you willing to help out with?
Would you want to get calls to action sent to you? How? Where? How often?
4 - Anything else?
What else would you like to see in the pro-democracy universe?
Let’s get creative. Even if you don’t normally comment or participate in these kind of things, please consider sharing your thoughts just this once. We need everyone — all of us — to build the world we want to see.
Two suggestions I have seen put forward by others that resonate:
1) Somehow elect a shadow cabinet of Democrats, including a leader of the opposition. One requirement should be the ability to take it to R.s on Fox, Rogan, etc. This is more than just a DNC chair and subchairs.
2) Start a "fighting PAC" to donate $ to Dems who do a particularly good job of fighting the Trump 2.0 agenda, and so encourage others to join the fight.
Main changes to government: an end to gerrymandering, an end to dark money in politics, full transparency of donors, enforcement of ethics, and term limits. I kinda wish passing a basic US civics test were a requirement for state/federal office.
For media - I'd like to see something done about deliberate spreading of misinformation/disinformation but I'm not sure how or what. While we have free speech, there are limits - you don't yell "Fire!" in a movie theater. Similarly, there should be penalties for blatant lies, such as claiming that immigrants are eating pets (allegations that resulted in business and school closures and death threats).