I have started a thread on the forum wherein we can clarify our group’s mission and vision.
But for the benefit of those who prefer answering via comments on this post, here it is:
To get things started, I am proposing a tentative vision and mission that we can continuously revise:
Vision:
Long-term: Freethinkers can live in a Philippines free from all forms of violence, discrimination, and prejudice, their rights and freedoms fully protected by a government in which their opinions are fairly and adequately represented.
Short-term: Freethinkers can easily get in touch with fellow freethinkers to enjoy online and offline activities wherever they live and whatever their cultural or socioeconomic background.
Mission:
- Promote freethought, science, and reason online (websites, blogs, wikis, and forums) and offline (magazine, radio, and TV) with a positive, non-adversarial approach. (the online promotion we’re already doing; offline we could do too for the benefit of the internet illiterate)
- Publish materials for freethinkers such as newsletters (monthly), magazines (quarterly), and books (yearly). (these will be anthologies with submissions from members and contributors)
- Create a freethought library where freethinkers can donate, lend, and borrow books, movies, and other freethought media. (good for freethinkers who are still in school or are poor)
- Sponsor and organize events for freethinkers such as forums, talks, workshops, and film showings. (events like these would be more organized with an organization and to be free for all freethinkers, rich and poor, will need . . .
- Raise money through donations, grants, membership fees, and merchandise sales for the above purposes. (all of the purposes above require money)
We look forward to reading your insights and ideas. Thank you very much!
I guess Karlo's concern is handled by the more general objective of promoting Science.
Glad you guys like the mission and vision so far, at least in general terms.
@Cat, we'll definitely be counting on you for 2 & 3 🙂
Speaking of internet illiterates…that's just it for me. I entered the forum passcode as my username in the forum. Now I can't figure out how to undo and change to AnnThrop. See, I really prefer the comments box here but I wanted to follow up on Karlo's post in the forum:
"I think the mission/vision is already okay. But I think for item #1 (or a separate item), maybe we can include the public understanding of science.
To get the maximum effect in promoting science and reason (item #1) and the rest of our objectives, we need to get the largest possible audience to really understand and appreciate science/reason as the most reliable method for understanding the world and improving the human condition." -Karlo (Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:18 pm)
He reminded me of WYNC's Radio Lab podcast with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich and their 3rd grade approach. I don't mean it in the pejorative sense; something happens to science after 3rd grade. What started as meaningful exhilarating music suddenly becomes elevator muzak. Although Krulwich's sentiments can sometimes upset a freethinker's sense of humor, the show makes science sound cool and to some extent, good for party conversations.
I just reckon if we're going to try to maximize our audience, we could adopt their approach. Krulwich would describe it as "dumbing down." But to follow yodz sentiments, let's just say it's more about "demystifying what's dense and difficult" through artful means that touches both intellect and emotion. (But far removed from the local TV approach, which I find too sensationalist.)
I just don't know if we have enough science writers for that specified mission. I like the current mission and vision. I especially like that it explicit says "positive, non-adversarial approach". Although experiencing a healthy amount of confrontational freethinkers is good for rigor, I reckon our vision pie is best baked with niceness and sincerity.
You can count on me for 2 & 3, but I'm not necessarily opting out of the rest.
what would you suggest? though actually the parenthetical statements won't be part of the final version, they're just there while we're still drafting. thanks for the input, yodz!
for Mission Item No. 1
I suggest revising the term "internet illiterate"
Just a thought…