http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/oct/01/cities-tech-us
"Local authorities in the United States can now engage with their
communities in two-way dialogues achievable using smartphones, tablets,
thanks to professionals embracing new managment models that focus on
service delivery.
Thanks to well-developed GIS mapping systems,
smartphones and tablets are helping enhance service delivery by allowing
real time and location reporting of issues and service requests. For
example, when citizens in Asheville, North Carolina want to report a
pothole, streetlight failure or other problem, they can do so using a phone app developed for their community. The city of Philadelphia uses an app that lets people directly communicate their concerns and requests via social media.
In Utah, the city of Ogden has taken a different path with its smartphone app. The iOgden app
also allows users to find local businesses and places of interest
directly through their phone. By building features such as "eat here and
shop here" into its app, the city has created a one-stop information
destination for both residents and visitors."
Just make citizen input a little easier, and voila! Citizens help out their own town.
Internet Collective Action is people organizing in a nonhierarchical manner to accomplish a particular goal. The reward is in the doing, and how much or how little anyone participates is completely voluntary, depending on their abilities and commitment to the goal. By this process amazing things can be accomplished. ICA will grow so long as the Internet is free. http://www.lisamcpherson.org/pc.htm is an example of ICA.
