Waxy Links reminds me today about Spot.us, an attempt at crowdfunded journalism. Citizens propose topics they’d like to see journalists cover and donate to make the story happen. A really interesting project, a vote of confidence in journalistic professionalism, and an acknowledgement of the limits of crowdsourcing alone.
Several months ago I actually came up with an opposite but similar idea.
Without going into too much detail - I had this notion that there’s something very strange about cause advertising being primarily the playground of corporations and special interests.
It seems to me that crowdsourced/funded issue-based ads have the potential to be much more authentic, believable, and effective than most of what’s out there. The cost to users might be offset by allowing corporations and/or special interests to sponsor (but not introduce or alter) such ads.
Interestingly - given what’s out there today - the best description would probably be halfway between Spot.us (the site described above) and Spotrunner.
On the off chance anyone’s interested in talking this idea over, let me know.
PS. Please vote tomorrow.