A thunderstorm of positivity has showered the world with optimism since Obama’s election for president, and thankfully he realizes that this is an ideal opportunity to further extend that good publicity. Suddenly government seems a lot more interested in finding ways to help people and connect with their needs. Obama’s support of Change.org is a perfect example of that. It contains news on issues, ways to organize around causes, and enables visitors to send in their ideas on implementing change.

The theme throughout Obama’s campaign was and continues to be change through organization. Change.org brings together a diverse set of ideas and people and rallies them behind causes. For example the “People” page highlights two “changemakers” at the top of the page and below lists dozens more people who are actively pushing for changes. Advertising the actions of common people puts organizing into perspective, and makes it seem within reach for anyone visiting. Smart tactic.

Right now the site has lots of good information but it still seems to be finding its identity, as much of Web2.0 technologies are. The flavor is different here when compared to Facebook or MySpace though, because every person who joins has some sort of goal or ideology motivating them.

Change.org could make itself easier to understand for new visitors by providing examples of how to interact with the site. For example, an easy way to get started is to take a look at the lower right where a list of causes are outlined. Choose one of the causes you support and link up with others who are thinking similarly. Organize, then create change. Call it a “Getting Started” section.

If Obama continues to push channels like Change.org toward the public, challenging everyone to get involved with running the government, there’s a possibility we could see new levels of interaction from citizens, and an invigorated sense of patriotism where people incorporate democracy back into their everyday lives.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm under Internet, Opinion, Social Media, Technology.

Read more entries by Matt Jansen.
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