Thursday, December 8, 2011

And the word goes out.

The word has now begun going out once more for Occupy the World.
I am in talks with several radio stations to obtain interviews as well as talking with a reporter from the Indy Weekly.
Messages have  been sent out to the News & Observer and several blog conglomerates in the Raleigh area to let them know that this exists.
If there are any suggestions as to who to contact or anyone who would be interested in pledging to donate through Kickstarter or simply repost info, please let me know at occupytheworldpodcast@gmail.com

Much love,
Austin

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Why is this project necessary?

There are several reasons why projects like Occupy the World and any other similar projects need to exists and need to flourish.
First of all, the Occupy movement is a 21st century non-violent protest, the first of its kind in the Age of the Internet and mass technology. We as a people have so much to learn from the movement as it grows, not only from comparisons between protests of the 60's and 70's that laid the groundwork for this movement to exist, but also how social networking on a global scale interacts with non-violent, leaderless movements. This needs to be documented as accurately as possible for the sake of sociology alone, not even mentioning history itself.
Secondly, history has traditionally been written by the victors, very rarely with an attempt at objectivity. In a world where almost every person has a camera, microphone, and can post any recorded material onto the Internet, we have the chance to record history as its happening, free of the ever-changing politics of the media. With something as massive as the Occupy movement which has so many ardent opponents in powerful places, accurate documentation of the movement itself, the people involved and the perspective of the protest which previously has not been broadcast is imperative. 
Lastly, and most importantly, the Occupy movement becomes clearer every single day as to its purpose and goals, however the only exposure most people see is police brutality in viral videos, patchy news coverage of high and low points, and slanted satire from the higher levels of entertainment and politics. This project will give a better view of who is actually protesting and what the protests in each individual city are experiencing in terms of working with or against their city and state to achieve change. 
In any event, this movement is too large to just disappear, and it's development and eventual end will have massive implications as regards politics and society, and if no one gives a purposefully objective view we will have no way of actually knowing what is happening, has happened, and what will happen in the future.

This is why Occupy the World exists.
Please consider pledging to support on the Kickstarter page.

Getting the Word Out

Now that the Kickstarter pledge drive has begun I have begun to email several celebrities, comedians, organizations, and Occupy movements to see if they'll support the drive and maybe help out.
So far that list is:
Greg Proops (smartest@aspecialthing.com, @gregproops)
Mike Morse (mike@bobandtheshowgram.com)
Occupy Raleigh (@occupyraleigh)
Occupy LA (@occupyLA)
Occupy Oakland (@occupyOakland)
Occupy Portland (@occupyPortland)
Luke Burbank (luke@tbtl.net)
Jennifer Andrews (jen@tbtl.net)

Tweeting at, emailing, and attempting to contact anyone will be useful to try and get awareness out about this.
Email me at occupytheworldpodcast@gmail.com, tweet at me @OccupytheWorld_ or post on the blog where you are at right now.
Let's get those pledges and get on the road!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Kickstarter Accepted, in Process

We are in the Kickstarter system!
I have yet to finish getting it set up and online, but that will be finished in the next day or two hopefully.
Also, the original estimate of 50 episodes has been downgraded to 25 for $5,000, though that number would certainly increase if we get more than $5,000 from the Kickstarter drive.
More updates to come!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Kickstarter Submitted, More Details on Project

I have submitted this project idea to Kickstarter in the hopes that they will accept the idea and begin to accept pledges.
Hopefully with the money raised I will be able to release 50 episodes from 50 different Occupy movements recording their struggles, victories, personal stories, stories as a movement, and the changes they've seen in city and state government as regards their movement. 
I will start in Raleigh and continue on to Chapel Hill, Asheville, Atlanta, through the South and across the Midwest until California is reached.
From there going up through Oregon and Washington, looping through the North and coming back down to hit the original Occupy Wall Street.
I will keep the blog updated as developments occur.