Code. Design. Explore.

The Back story

Back in September I experienced Burning Man for the first time.  For those unfamiliar, I think Jay Michaelson describes it best, saying:

“It’s a temporary city of 50,000 people, devoted to radical self-expression. So you’ll find anything you’d find in a regular city — art museums, dance clubs, yoga studios — only in the middle of the desert, with no money, and with more creativity than you’ve ever seen.”

I don’t think I’d be able to live in the desert permanently.  In fact, most life can’t survive without major adaptations over several generations, and the truth is that I won’t be around long enough.  It does, however, give me hope for a different kind of society.  A society based on compassion over greed.  One based on giving more than you receive.

Many people in our society want more than they need.  For every mantra of, “Money can’t buy happiness,” there are five more telling us, “Just one more promotion.”  Do you think you’ll be content once you make partner? Read the rest of this entry »

I really need to start blogging again… it just occurred to me that I’m doing all this promotion and didn’t even think of blogging (shame on you john).

In 5 minutes you can create positive change

We’re working on project to bring transparency and engagement to organizations/donors and your vote can help us win $35,000 to continue helping projects doing amazing field work.

What do I need to do?

Ok, yes you have to register and give your email address. And yes it takes 5 minutes out of your day…BUT…

I’ve poured my heart and soul into this project… I quit my job and burned through my savings to help non-profits get their message across. And I’m not asking for your money, just your vote so I can get funded by someone else.

Besides we’re already in the TOP 4 and really need your support to push us through to win and take our project to the next level!

Already voted once, can you vote here too (this is for $25,000)?

Vote for us at Ideas4all too.

Background Info

Here’s what we built so far, but we need more funding to continue

Live demo: http://myactionmap.org

Want more information on the project? Here it is…

MyActionMap is a service to engage current and prospective donors with the ultimate goal of making them feel like a part of the solution — empowering them to take action in their own community.

Projects are searchable by region and issue. This allows new projects and people to be discovered and connected. And knowledge and resources shared. Our service can also be embedded on other sites which is especially useful to orgs that lack the resources themselves.

We are already working with over 30 organizations, but need to continue application development.

Getting back into it

I want to apologize for taking such a hiatus from blogging. A lot has changed since I last blogged back in May. I sold all my stuff, spent a month driving across the country with my brother, and started a social venture of my own.

I have so many things to write about, but right now I feel that my time is best spent focusing my skills on creating positive change through development.

So a few months ago I thanked everyone for voting during the Change the Web Challenge.  After I won, I wanted to take that Social Interactive Map and make it real.  And MyActionMap was born.

Read the rest of this entry »