Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!ames!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hplabsz!taylor
From: mfidelma@bbn.COM (Miles Fidelman)
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: Why can't WE change society?
Message-ID: <1071@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 20-Nov-87 12:48:27 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabsz.1071
Posted: Fri Nov 20 12:48:27 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Nov-87 16:35:22 EST
References: <1060@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Sender: taylor@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Cambdridge MA
Lines: 30
Approved: taylor@hplabs

Joel,

This doesn't seem silly or inappropriate at all. I agree 100%.

A thought occurs to me: There are several organizations that run
annual policy forum - notably the Domestic Policy Association and the
Foreign Policy Association. I'm more familiar with the DPA so I'll
describe their program.

DPA is a non-profit organization supported by the Kettering Foundation.
Annually, they recruit volunteer "convenors" around the country to
host forums (large) or study groups (small) to discuss hot issues. DPA
provides relatively balanced study guides on three topics each year 
(chosen through a relatively open process).  In recent years, topics
have included Social Security, Farm Policy, Nuclear Arms, etc.  The
intent of the forums is to have people educate themselves about issues,
and then engage in face-to-face discussions of the issues. Conclusions
are collected and eventually presented to policy makers at a conference
held at one of the Presidential Libraries.  Results are also presented
in Washington at Capital Hill and White House briefings.

A couple of years ago, I tried running a DPA study group via the Source,
with limited success (probably because of the computer time cost). I've
been wanting to try the same experiment via the Usenet. It would be
an opportunity to dig into some issues and have a channel for our discussions
to go somewhere.

Any takers?

Miles Fidelman