Shortly after Daily Kos transitioned into DK4, someone created a group called Youth Kos, and posted this first diary, Welcome to Youth Kos
I found Rainee's introduction inspiring:
So you might be wondering...what is Youth Kos about?
My hope is for it to be a gathering point for the youth on this site, and place where their specific issues may be discussed. Ideas and diaries on issues especially affecting young people should be the focus. Participants should try and develop plans of action in order to make sure the voice of today's youth is heard in this movement, and to help get young people involved in it. America's youth deserve a voice in politics and government...we deserve the ability to determine the future we will live in.
I, was excited at the idea, and along with 29 others, became a follower.
One of the limitations of Daily Kos has been its lack of outreach to young people. I worked in a high school and even though many of my students were intelligent and articulate, I couldn't imagine them gravitating to Daily Kos. I'm sure that if any of them had given it a look, they would have concluded that Daily Kos was a place for old people who wouldn't have any interest in what they had to say.
When Raineee created Youth Kos, I thought it was wonderful. I thought, now I'll have a place to invite my former students (now my friends on Facebook) to come and make a difference in a national forum. My 19 year old nephew likes to discuss social issues with me; I thought I might be able to draw him in.
I thought about the 26 year old man that we met at the One Nation Rally back in October who was determined to get involved politically. I still correspond with him, and I thought he would want to participate.
Two weeks ago, I saw a diary by a recent high school graduate, The State of Public Education from a Student's Perspective by thePhoenix13. I told him I thought it was a great diary and that he should republish it on Youth Kos. He asked how to do that, I gave him the group url. I also sent a message to the Youth Kos group editors as well as some of the individual editors to tell them that it would be a good idea to republish it.
There was no response. There have been no diaries on Youth Kos since the first one. The inspiring Camelot that was Youth Kos has fallen into a black hole.
I am a strong believer that getting people of like interests together creates a powerful synergy. Since that diary, I have seen several others that would be wonderful additions if Youth Kos was to ever come to life.
I suppose another group could be created to accomplish the same thing, but since it's already been set up and has editors and followers and all, that would be a little, well, sloppy. Besides,
Youth Kos is such a perfect name! Youth encompasses mature teenagers and adults in their twenties, people who are dealing with getting into college or paying off their college loans. Youth are the ones who feel like their voices are never heard, and like they are never going to live to collect Social Security.
And Kos is... well, Kos. Perfect.
So if we have to give up on the group, Youth Kos, what other name could encompass the same ideas.
And whether another group is created or Youth Kos comes back to life, what can be done to reach out to young people?