The Informed Public, Inc.

The Informed Public, Inc. is a fresh, enlightening way to better understand public policy issues, by providing a comparison of expert views that gives context beyond news coverage. We are a non-profit educational resource, delivered as an online magazine, that seeks to elevate comprehension on social concerns as a bridge to increasing civic engagement. As a “think-link-tank,” we guide viewers through a wide range of expert writing – managing a broad range of expert content in a form that is easy to grasp and compare a balanced mix of opinions. By connecting lifestyle interests with public issues in an entertaining format, we help the viewer self-identify on social issues, and then assist their connection to the nonprofits that match their interests. We are strictly non-partisan and are not an advocacy organization.

1. By connecting individuals’ interests with a grasp of social concerns, we pull them through the hurdles that limit their civic engagement
2. Our mission is to address the limitations in the media that impede a broader public understanding of issues - using new media and available think tank intelligence.
3. We describe ourselves as a “think-link tank” - we assemble the best expert writing to bring context and clarity in a way that promotes inclusiveness on the complex concepts.
4. Getting the news isn’t the problem, but making sense of it is. We can help. Because a more informed public is the basis of a more free society.

USING NEW MEDIA TO BUILD CIVIC AWARENESS: Inspired by a new generation of online tools and better outreach through social media, we seek to create an online resource that combines search, issue-mapping and personal development learning tools that help to organize the overwhelming volume of information available. Despite an endless stream of expert research and commentary on the pressing issues that affect us, most concerned citizens never get to see it, and have little context upon which to: (1) grasp the basics of a complex policy issue; (2) establish a frame of reference for the range of views about the issue; and (3) have an awareness of the variety of nonprofits that seek to address the issue. The missing element is the thoughtful integration of content with context. We refer to our model as a “think-link tank,” acting as a content management outlet to bring easy access to innovative thinking, from all sides of the debate, for the non-economist public. We seek to change the status quo – to reduce the separation between lofty concepts and the way these concepts are interpreted by concerned citizens. To be informed is the key to reconnecting with our communities.

LINKING LIFESTYLE TO MOTIVATION: Beginning as just a casual read through an entertaining-but-strangely stimulating lifestyle magazine, viewers choose among a well-organized presentation of selected reporting on current hot-button topics. They then follow video introductions that outline an ongoing series of internally-developed, short-form blog posts on the underlying aspects that influence that particular issue. The matrix of video, blog and externally provided writing give viewers a tutorial logic to grasp the basics, along with a range of resources to recognize the relationships between core concepts and the current political debate. They can dive in to more technical matters if they choose. From this enhanced awareness, viewers supplement their own opinions on the issues. And they can review information on the experts and nonprofits involved in that issue. User account tools allow viewers to: (1) refine content preferences; (2) track their educational path; (3) establish linkages between topics; (4) share views through an online forum, social networking and user opinion surveys; and (5) create a path to self-identification in their views.