For the past 11 years, I worked as Product Manager for open-source web apps (OpenCongress, OpenGovernment, AskThem and Councilmatic). Over this time, we continually sought new ways to engage our users & newsreaders to become supporting members, for our independent sustainability.
the @Join_Civil network is well-designed to support independent journalism projects. It's fully decentralized: @ReadSludge owns & runs our own site. It's open-source code, w/ built-in (optional) publishing to Ethereum blockchain, where our article archives can be openly accessed.
the CVL token opens up new possibilities for engaging readers to become Sludge Members, supporting our investigative journalism on corruption. Some early ideas, lots of possibilities: developing special rewards programs for token-holders; smart contracts for reporting; micro-tips
for years, I've been frustrated by increasing internet centralization. "The wilder-open-web of 2001 we lost." The missing tools for independent hack projects to sustain themselves and build memberships to pay for their work. Blockchain + #CVL enables a new, decentralized network!
Civil newsrooms will pursue sustainability plans of subscriptions (think WSJ), membership (NPR), grants. #CVL token underlies this new network, but for the vast majority of readers, no deep step on anything blockchain or crypto is required. USD works fine. Become a Sludge member!
for skeptical audiences, just the terms "blockchain and crypto" ratchet up aversion b/c of ICO marketing. But they're def. not required to read Civil sites' quality news. We accept $ via Stripe. Instead: open-source tech for decentralization on open internet, w/ Ethereum features
