Which is, of course, exactly what Adeo and others are determined to get me, and so many others, to move beyond, into the actual metrics and methods of building something original that has value, an entirely separate endeavor from just building something. Thanks to the Startup University, lots of solid tibits for what I’ll write about next time, which is my first real effort to pitch an investor group.

Being able to do that is the beginning of citizenship in my view a of being possessed of authentic and actionable info by which we can make the informed decisions by which we make the nation.

Making the nation. Such a proactive sensibility in that phrase, full of our own empowerment, rather than returning home from work and watching the news tell us what’s happened to us and to our families, friends and communities. Instead of feeling – and living – as if the national and local dialogue happens TO us, CitizenLife will make up the tools to ensure we live in ways where we impact the national and local discussion.

Directly.

This effort began in a flat in Geddes Court, on the University of Stirling campus in the fall of 2003′ and was then called “CitizenNow.” Since then, iterations of the idea have been vetted by family members, friends, web development experts, education experts and random everyday people.

Generally, the people would use it, and get excited about it to the extent that one can, design-wise, link it’s aesthetic to something the design or experience of which they are already excited about; the iPhone or iPad design sensibility as a guiding set of observable principles, for example.

The other major thread, oddly enough, is fear. Many people across this nation hear about this concept and fear for my life should some method or system to actually, suitably engage citizens independent of the current frameworks emerge, should some toolset by which they are immediately empowered be handed to the masses of people seeking such powers in and over their lives. Indeed, one educator who teaches civics and citizenship in the classroom to young people rejected the very idea of citizen tools accessible over one’s phone or one’s PC as less valuable than “making people earn” their citizenship and the notion of protecting the integrity of back room deals, because “…that’s how Washington works,” and to impinge upon that with a new political player – or 300 million new players – would disable the current system.

And this was someone who teaches your kids about their citizenship, in school, daily. Someone who got their PhD to speak with authority on the issue.

Well, I simply, fundamentally, disagree. In the 21st Century,it is past time that everyday people had the ability to quickly and easily engage their reps, legislation, issues, and each other both independent of the current institutions and their dogmatics, and in ways transformative.

This blog is about documenting my own recognition that every single interaction about this effort, every conversation, every embrace, rejection, or indifferent shrug to CitizenLife educates me, and those that join this effort, in ways that can strengthen the initial toolspace, and make it so much better.

In this circumstance, as in life, every single thing educates us.

Make the Nation, through Democracy delivered, through Republic in real-time.

Let’s build it together.