Consultant Challenges Obama Activists to Use Web 2.0 Tools

Tag : Power Tools


Stephenson predicted many government agencies will follow theDistrict of Columbia's lead and release government data ineasily-used formats such as RSS and KML, which in turn can unleashcreative new approaches within agencies and involve the generalpublic when citizens (or government employees) use Web 2.0 tools toturn data into easily understood visualizations that can bediscussed and debated.

He said the ability to interpret data visually is critical, quotingdata graphics expert Edward Tufte, who says "Often the mosteffective way to describe, explore and summarize a set of numbers-- even a very large set -- is to look at pictures of thosenumbers." Stephenson gave several examples of web sites thatactivists have created that illustrate the power of accessible dataplus visualization: a Google map pinpointing pothole complaints to the District ofColumbia's DPW and tracking -- on a real-time basis -- the repairs'status today. He said this is an example of sousveillance: thepublic holds agencies accountable by documenting their performance-- or lack thereof.
illegalsigns.ca, which activist Rami Tabello created to embarrassToronto officials into removing illegal billboards.
Neighborhood Knowledge Los Angeles, a collaboration between UCLAand community activists, combines and plots an a single map data on7 "problem indicators" such as code violations ordelinquent property that previously remained isolated. Seeing asingle block where many danger signs are repeated should be a redflag to city officials to intervene quickly with coordinatedservices to halt the decline.
Stephenson concluded that "for years activists have demanded aseat at the table to help influence pending legislation, debatenational priorities, and hold agencies accountable. Now the toolsare available to allow this type of participation, and I challengeactivists to use them and play a role in governing as well aselecting new candidates."
Portions of Stephenson's presentation were originally part of awhite paper on data streams and visualization that he co-authoredfor the nGenera Government 2.0: Wikinomics, Government andDemocracy research program.
Stephenson Strategies provides Web 2.0 strategy services togovernment agencies and companies, with particular emphasis onstrategies to empower employees and the public to play substantiverole in policy evaluation and service delivery.