Right now we interact with the public more online than offline. But these digital spaces are not designed with our collective wellbeing in mind. Baratunde speaks with Eli Pariser, Co-founder of New_Public, about how we are missing intentionally designed digital public spaces, like libraries and park spaces online, and they discuss New_Public’s NEW! design playbook for creating platforms that bring us together instead of tear us apart. 

Guest: Eli Pariser 

Bio: Author, Activist, and Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of New_Public 

Online: New_Public website; @elipariser on Twitter; Eli’s website

Go to howtocitizen.com for transcripts, our email newsletter, and your citizen practice.

ACTIONS

 

- PERSONALLY REFLECT 

Public Interactions

Reflect on some recent online interactions you’ve had with total strangers on social media. Now think about some interactions you’ve had with strangers offline, maybe in a public park or library. How did each experience make you feel? Did you prefer one over the other? Why? 

 

- BECOME INFORMED

Check out New_Public’s work

Check out New_Public’s new design playbook for building digital public spaces of the future. It was built from two years of global research and feedback. Also, read Eli’s thought-provoking article in the Atlantic about envisioning a future online that serves the public good and supports a culture of democracy.

 

- PUBLICLY PARTICIPATE

Join a niche, online community forum.

Consider joining or starting your own online community where you can practice some of the 14 signals using a platform like Hylo or MightyNetworks. Most of the signals don’t require code as much as thoughtful governance, culture, and norm-setting to create a different kind of online space that helps us citizen. Said another way, try finding or creating an online community in a space that isn’t a giant shopping mall.

 

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