The PAPER CHASE has started

[paineinthearse]

There have been at least two posts alerting DU to this project (one by our own lala_rawraw, whose idea this is), but this project deserves another.

The PAPER CHASE project is so simple EVERYONE can participate. The result is that you will help enlighten average citizens in your community the of the crap that * is getting away with.

Find a DU story that has a bearing on your community, such as cut backs in medicate or no funding for Amtrak or unfunded mandates like NCLB; save as a document, add the link to the source, print copies and place in (in this case) clinic waiting rooms and train station lobbies and school committee meetings.

It gets news ignored by the corporate-owned news (CON) directly to those affected.

Here's the new twist.

1. In this post, add links to stories you think should be widely distributed in this manner.

2. Bloggers (you know who you are) - either nominate one of your existing pieces or write something new for this project; place a link here.

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/index.php?p=225 (printed in full with permission).



What Is the Paper Chase?

The paper chase is a way to help bypass government purchased pre-packaged news, as well as the mainstream media's lack of substantive reporting. The danger the lack of real information making its way to the people is apparent in the current state of affairs. What the paper chase asks people to do is to simply: print, copy, and leave news wherever you go on a daily basis for two weeks. We cannot simply reach the people on the Internet, because people generally go to the sites they like and the people we want to reach are largely unaware of our sites and may be disinterested. We have to show them that what they are missing is the truth.

This is an opportunity to make a difference and reach out to those beyond the Internet.

When Is the Paper Chase? Starting Monday, March 27 - April 9

Process Questions:

What news should I pick? You should pick news on whatever issues you feel important. You should try to alternate between topics, however, because the goal is after all to inform the public. You should also avoid large, over the top stories. Remember, the people we are trying to reach do not know what the current state of affairs are. Our goal is to provide them with information they can digest, not to make a political statement. So do not pick stories about "left" vs. "right;" pick stories that are issue-based. Remember that your audience is not your echo chamber and choose accordingly.

How many copies should I make? As many as you want and can afford. Do not go overboard as too much paper might miss the point.

Where should I leave the news? It is important not to afix the news onto any public property or break the law in any way. Some suggestions are your doctor's office, gas station, grocery store, etc. The places you leave the news should be regular everyday places.

What type of paper should I use? Please use recycled paper because, while we are trying to reach the people, we still want to be responsible to our environment.

Can I just hand out to people instead? Not a good idea. Most people will simply walk away or the paper will be thrown away without reading. It has to be left in visible places, not afixed, simply placed in sight, so that people make an active choice to read it. Some small shop owners or even larger business may let you leave a few on their counter.

What news sources should I use? Please do not use opinion pieces or anything that might be nothing more than propaganda. This is about getting the truth out to the masses, not coverting political point-of-view. The stories you choose may be the hot button issues for you, but at least select them from news sources you trust, not from opinion pieces or from talking points. You are not limited to the sponsors of the Paper Chase, so long as you respect copyright.

What about copyright? The sponsors of the paper chase have no problem with copying and printing as their URL/Title/etc. will appear on the pages. Other news sources should be asked what their policy is on distribution and you should indicate what your intentions are. Feel free to link to this URL as an explanation.

What will this accomplish? The hope is to open more minds to the facts that the media fails to report. Even if it it raises the awareness of a single person, it will be a success. It will energize those involved and demonstrate the willingness of online media--and those who care about the news--to seek new readers and discussion outside of the Internet.

Sponsors
We are still adding sponsors. If you are interested, please email Muriel Kane - [e-mail] < [e-mail]>

Prior DU posts:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3353926

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3371760

Do it! Do it today!

[senseandsensibility]

1. Thanks and kick

:) C'mon DUers, keep this kicked!

[lala_rawraw]

2. Let's post fun Paper Chase stories

I had oral surgery today and I took 3 articles with me. I actually handed them out in the waiting area to the 3 people waiting and then I put them inside magazines.

All I know is they were still discussing the articles after I came out all doped up and swollen.

[paineinthearse]

6. I can't wait for your next "under the influence" raw story.

Speaking of "doped", I just noticed a typo: "cut backs in medicate". Should have been "cut backs in medicare".

[lala_rawraw]

29. Okay, what did you leave today...

And where?

[lala_rawraw]

31. Come on, what did you leave today?

L

[Arugula Latte]

3. kick

:kick:

[Tace]

4. World News Trust Is A Sponsor -- Send Tips To...

[e-mail]. I'll also keep an eye here to look for tips. They're suggesting straight news rather than commentary. Chrs, Francis Goodwin, WNT project manager.

I'm gunna' suggest to skinner that DU LBN become a PaperChase sponsor.

[CitySky]

5. great idea

Another place to leave them (in car-centered cities like mine) would be car washes. When you're sitting in that lobby you'd read ANYTHING to pass the time.

[tblue37]

7. Kick.

[libertypirate]

8. The best place to post...

Public bathrooms where you are stuck facing one direction from anywhere between 2 and 20 minutes. Backs of stall doors and above the urinals.

[seventythree]

12. I actually did this in the early 80's

Guess I was just before my time, but I used to post feminist type stuff on the stall doors at the law school, as well as on bulletin boards. Years later, I did it on the mirror in the legislator's restroom. During campaigns, I always carried candidate literature with me to place on the back of the stool(tank)in the restrooms of restaurants.

[Kire]

17. they did that in all the dorms on campus when I was in school

great idea, of course they do it all over college campuses anyway. It's time to bring it to the community. Brilliant!

[lala_rawraw]

24. Great idea...

I am going, with swollen face, to Blockbuster to stick a few inside movies (cough, Passion, etc.). Okay, that may be mean. How about the Left Behind Series? Lol.

[paineinthearse]

9. I just realize what this project is.

Thomas Paine was a pamphleteer. This is a modern day version of Paine's work! I am very proud that this is catching on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine

"...Thomas Paine (January 29, 1737 – June 8, 1809) was a widely recognized intellectual, scholar, and idealist who is considered to be one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a radical pamphleteer, Paine impacted the American Revolution with his powerful writings, most famously Common Sense, his revolutionary tract advocating independence from Britain. Paine was notable for his belief in deism and his writings on the French Revolution...."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamphleteer

"A pamphleteer is a historical term for someone who creates or distributes pamphlets in order to get people to vote for their favourite politician or to articulate a particular political ideology. A famous pamphleteer of the American Revolutionary War was Thomas Paine. Today a pamphleteer might communicate his missives by way of weblog, but before the advent of telecommunications, those with access to a printing press and a supply of paper used the pamphlet as a means of mass communications outside of newspapers or full-fledged books."

[hootinholler]

15. My meager similar attempt is at

The Legacy Papers which is more commentary rather than news. I promise to have a second one RSN. Hopefully this week.

-Hoot

[burythehatchet]

10. A most worhty nomination

[tanyev]

11. Kick

:kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

13. This is such a needed, practical idea - we need it long-term

Recommended!

[jbm]

14. I'm going to kick and add...

the links to the brand democrat site and their pamphlet tool. I'm thinking the ideas can work together!

http://www.oliverwillis.com/branddemocrat /

http://www.kurland-digital.com/branddemocrat/demflyer_content.html

:kick:

[GCP]

16. Will Pitt, Matcom, DS1 and I did this in Harvard Square

before the Iraq War started. Will wrote the copy - a lot of it was from his book re the history of Iraq and Scott Ritter's knowledge of the lack of WMDs. Matcom got hundreds of copies run off at Kinko's and we handed out the flyers to whoever would take them.
It was really great, thinking we were actually educating people - although it has to be admitted, we were mainly preaching to the choir!

[paineinthearse]

19. Valid point

We need to be careful in selecting our material and "market". All the effort in harvard square probably did not cause any conversions. Had it been done in Sommerville or Southie, that may have made a difference. Errrr...nevermind, those are still Massachusetts cities.

[lala_rawraw]

25. Right, you want

To select both a market and a topic (s). Since I am in Florida, my stories today have been about the Texas case involving the baby, the Texas law signed by Bush, and Delay's corruption. Again, I am taking only news articles, not op-eds. I am also writing little notes on the things I print listing some great resources to visit online, books to read, and quotes about truth, etc. Not that anyone has to do this, I am just sharing what I did today.

I did ask Skinner and had no response. I was hoping to have a sub-forum so we could share stories, suggest articles, etc. This will have to do and this is fine I think.

So, what did you leave today and where did you leave it? City and/or State, type of establishment, etc.? I want to hear some stories to see how this goes.

[peekaloo]

18. kick

[Kire]

20. I'm putting this one in every psychiatrist's office I can find.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/02/18/walter_reed/index.html

[kimpossible]

21. Carry Deception Dollars

I carry a stack of Deception Dollars around in my purse, and quietly tuck a few into every likely place I see. Good places are inside the front cover of magazines or newspapers, piled in leaflet stands at libraries / shops / cafes, and I always stick one under the real dollars when I leave a tip.

[kimpossible]

22. Some good flyers to print out

at http://www.tvnewslies.org/html/take_action.html

[Liberty Belle]

23. Thanks. These will make great handouts, and I may

have an article or two to contribute to the cause, since I write political editorials from time to time.

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[T Town Jake]

26. Sounds very collegiate and 1971...

...thank-you, no.

[Nothing Without Hope]

27. Kick!

[veracity]

28. Not to miss free pdf: A Real American!

http://www.tvnewslies.org/html/a_real_american.html

[paineinthearse]

30. Use this technique in support of 3/31 student strikes against the draft.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3389534#

[kimpossible]

32. The Motherlode of links

I just found a site that has a ton of downloadable / printable posters, plus links to dozens of others.

http://www.designaction.org/morelinks.html

[paineinthearse]

33. Great site

thanks!