Era defining technology like the Internet changes a people's outlook toward government. It alters the role of distance and time and challenges boundaries between public and private, and between local, state, and federal. It creates porous borders where trade, technology, and ideas challenge governance processes developed for farming and manufacturing societies. As reality and expectations change, the governance process must evolve to sustain government's legitimacy.

The Internet offers an astonishing capacity to refashion our governance structures. Social software like websites, blogs, wikies, and reputation systems enable ideas to be expressed, examined, and acted upon like never before. And the net extends democracy to the 24/7 world by enabling the young, old, and "too busy" to participate and contribute to the governance process.

By drawing in more ideas, knowledge, and people, the Internet can help communities make better decisions and add legitimacy to government.

What We Do

The Communisphere Project monitors advanced technology and governance innovations and guides geographically based communities in their selection, installation, and development. We apply game theory in developing public engagement software that models problems and involves the community in their solution.

Services range from day consultations to assembling a team to design, develop, and install an enhanced governance system.

Active Projects

• The BeyondVoting Wiki - A public wiki exploring improvements that might be made to New York City's Community Boards and the city's broader governance system.
• Campaign for Community-Based Planning - A web site engaging the public in the work of the Task Force for Community Based Planning.
• NYC Queens Community Board 3 - Develop and maintain web plan for local governance unit.
• The Campaign for .nyc - A grassroots campaign to position the .nyc TLD as the organizing force enabling the New York City enterprise.
• 37-75 - Focusing 2.0 tools on a persistent local problem.