My intention had been to start discussions about initial matters in the Group Messages, but apparently two issues have nixed that idea: (1) New members can't see messages that were posted to the Group before they joined, and (2) members can't see messages posted to the Group at all unless they're editors or higher. Since we are still coalescing the core membership of LTOTW, I want all members able to view and participate in the formative discussions. So I will instead post in this diary the information I'd earlier posted in an apparently invisible Group message, and add some additional notes. This diary is not relevant outside LTOTW, but the Groups Messages system is not helpful for facilitating internal communication, so publishing a diary seems like the best option at the moment.
I. Introduction.
Congratulations on your decision to take over the world (TOTW). The fact that we are going to TOTW is about all that has been decided at this point, so a lot of the fun in coming days will be making more specific decisions and building our initial organization. Still, do not mistake the light, cheeky tone of much of what will go on here as lack of seriousness - the objective of this group is exactly as stated. I lay out some general framework for discussing foundational matters below.
II. Membership
As of right now, we have 5 members (including myself) and 7 followers whom I've invited to join as members. There are no qualifications for membership at this early stage other than interest in the idea and a desire to participate in it, although this may change over time. As such, the initial membership has largely been determined by luck and general interest rather than anything specifically sought-after. Such is the way of most beginnings.
Send me a message if you would like to nominate someone for membership, and if you're feeling vindictive, also feel free to send me names of people you're determined NOT to see accepted along with good explanations and links to material that justify your objections. I doubt this will be much of an issue, but we might as well be comprehensive in our approach.
II. Diaries
I am still not clear on a lot of things about how the Group system works - e.g., how diary queues work, whether there are limits to publishing frequency, etc. - so feel free to explain it in comments if you know. But for the moment, diaries should be used to expound on your ideas in response to the issues laid out here, if you feel that they need to be explained more deeply than in comments. So right now the task before the Group is to structure and plan for its own formation, so LTOTW diaries at this point should all be practical-oriented meta, and not be focused too far afield of the immediate practicalities identified here (or others, if you think of any equally relevant and requiring of in-depth exploration). However, we will discuss broader strategic questions of how we are going to use diaries in the future.
II. Matters for Discussion & Brainstorming
All ideas, even crazy ones, should be entertained and thoroughly explored, but eventually the objective is to reach consensus to facilitate future action. Here are the topics for immediate Group discussion, which we can address here in the comments to this diary, in one-on-one messages (if you find that necessary), or in subsequent member diaries:
1. Criteria for additional membership. These would be rules for expansion beyond the core members (i.e., beyond those currently joined, those currently invited, and those they nominate in the next few weeks). They should be simple and relatively loose at this point, but also relevant and worthwhile.
2. Internal communication. How can we best talk to each other and facilitate productive brainstorming? What options are available for confidential discussions that include the entire Group without being publicly visible? Do you find this initial approach works well enough, or should we do something else?
3. Mission. The core idea of the group is that we're going to be an organization that accumulates, uses, and distributes power on behalf of liberal ideals and reflecting liberal values to plan for the future of humanity and guide its destiny. Nonetheless, since we are talking about exercises of power rather than merely activism, its activities will be a lot more elite, action-oriented, and stealthy (as in, unobtrusive - not secretive) than our side of the spectrum tends to be. We need to form a coherent, specific, and helpful, but also parsimonious and impactful mission statement that reflects this. Note that "mission statement" does not mean "slogan." And it must reflect the basic objective as stated in the name of the group - we intend to take over the world, and we intend to do so while fully respecting the rights of all people, and pledge that law-breaking will be kept to a respectable minimum.
4. Internal structure. What is to be the shape of the Group, its hierarchy, leadership system, etc.? How are we going to decide things in practical, timely ways? I would like the Group to be consultative, but it must also be hierarchical to achieve its objectives. So I will entertain objections to decisions before going ahead with them, and we should have a system for calling votes to get a sense of opinion, but I'm basically an enlightened dictator at this point (though will revert to a constitutional monarch at some point). Come up with ideas for how this system should work, what kind of hierarchies would be most useful to the progress of the mission, and how you think my role should be arranged.
Furthermore, come up with logistical ideas on how can we call and hold votes in (as I mention) practical, timely ways? Diary polls wouldn't work because the entire DK community can vote in them. Brainstorm ideas for how we can call and hold votes. Should I post separate diaries specifically for calling questions? If everyone can see our diaries, using them as parliamentary procedures might get weird, so I don't see that being likely. Of course, there's also the possibility that I'm overthinking this, and we can just vote in the comments to diaries that bring up various questions. I do think that could get a little confusing though.
5. Diaries. Once we've built a more or less functional initial group structure, we will be using our diaries to relate to the broader Daily Kos community and also brainstorm / plan actions. Start thinking ahead and discussing how we're going to do this, what kind of themes we'll be exploring, what kind of information will be provided in diaries as opposed to kept internally, what the purpose of those diaries will be, who we want them to reach, etc. etc.
6. Other business. If you are aware of other issues which need to be raised that are important to the early formation of the organization, feel free to raise them. Just to restate, this is not merely a diary-publishing group - we are using such a group as a basis to begin an organization that will ultimately be action-oriented. Auspicious or not, far-sighted or foolish, this is how it has begun.
I will be gauging how involved the current membership wants to be by the responses this diary gets from them, so this is not the time to lurk. If you just want me to handle something and don't particularly care what I decide, go ahead and say that. Whatever it is, take a position. Remember, you're taking over the world, not subscribing to ESPN.
As for people who are not members and not currently invited to become members, please only comment on this diary if you wish to help with the topics described above or if you wish to become a member. Don't reply with criticisms of the premise of the group or the underlying characteristics I've already outlined - I'm not interested. I hope to hear from all of our members, invitees, and whoever else has subscribed as followers.