Re: New Social Media and Democracy Research Facebook Group - eGovIG

Social Media has all the raw data it needs because it collects what is handy (Names and Addresses including Zip Codes).My "Research" question: Can 'what is handy' re-produce a valid Voter Registration Card ?
Law Enforcement can, without a warrant, collect evidence found in plain sight or from discarded materials.

The above is a public link and could be used by either the Public or an Organization like Law Enforcement.  Before you freak out about this "leak", in order to write a Voter Registration Card, the County must be determined.  The link above returns Default City+State with sometimes alternatives for Default City Name(s).  This is a "one-click" trick though: An array of buttons with the ZipCode or Default City or alternate City Name re-generate the ZipCode.  The County must be still be determined independently - County Codes sold separately, so to speak.  County Codes can be determined by crunching a large number of valid records.
Although Zip Codes are easy for New Social Media to collect, they chase affluence.What can go wrong for New Social Media and Democracy Research ?
  Answer: A lot and what always does never again ...
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.-- Martin Niemöller


--Gannon










      From: Steven Clift <clift@e-democracy.org>
 To: eGovIG IG <public-egov-ig@w3.org> 
 Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 3:18 PM
 Subject: New Social Media and Democracy Research Facebook Group - eGovIG
   

In recent weeks, you've probably heard about Facebook's connection to an independent foundation funded (multiple foundations) effort to research the impact of social media on elections and democracy. That's great. There is even a related conference this week with an amazing list of academic speakers.

Let's experiment.
I am interested in opening up digital channels of communication to help researchers hear from practitioners to help generate more actionable research related to social media and democracy.
Whether you are a democracy/civic engagement practitioner, a political campaign operative, or an activist seeking to influence people or your government, what is happening *now* with social media and democracy that needs solid research? If you care about useful research, this experimental 100% unofficial Facebook Group is for you (link below).
Perhaps you are now within government having used social media to help win an election or you are in media looking for trends or digital options to boost journalism's role in the future of democracy, then this *off the record* group on social media and democracy research is for you too.
(If you know practitioners active in the digital democracy/politics/media space who also care about the big picture as well as "winning" with the latest tactic or tool, please pass this invite along.)
Researchers invited!
This is about creating an effective digital feedback loop. This effort is unofficial.
I am interested in how researchers can more effectively engage and access digital practitioners across all the major sectors of democracy - government, media, campaigns and elections, advocacy and legislative bodies, and more. 
Since Facebook is the main target of a wave of research funding, let's build a digital bridge between research and practice that people actually use on that platform. 
So, if you do research in this space, please apply to join us. Once we reach 100 charter members, then we will switch to a member referral required to join process (which will be crucial to ensure participation versus free riding.)
So, if you are interested in joining, you *must* answer the join request survey questions before your application will be approved.
Apply here.
Thanks,Steven Clift
P.S. If you just prefer light reading and not participating actively, everyone is welcome to join my 7500+ member Civic Technology and Open Government Facebook Group. It is a very active group with daily posts:  http://facebook.com/groups/op engovgroup

Steven Clift  -  Executive Director, E-Democracy.org
   clift@e-democracy.org  -  +1 612 234 7072
   http://twitter.com/democracy
Join in: http://facebook.com/groups /opengovgroupDigital engagement for your org via E-Democracy:   http://po.st/engageclift