The hottest Substack posts of theconnector

And their main takeaways

"Diaspora politics run wild"

432 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
  1. There is a need for a broad-based peace movement to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a just compromise.
  2. Engagement with Israeli and Jewish audiences is vital for solving the problems of occupation and settlement.
  3. American, Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari negotiators are close to finalizing a deal that involves the staged release of hostages, provision of humanitarian aid, and a potential shift towards peace.

Slouching Towards the 2024 Election

412 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Biden
  1. Focusing on grassroots community organizing can have a big impact in elections.
  2. Biden's reelection campaign needs to prioritize ground game over ads and public appearances.
  3. Handling the Israel-Gaza crisis could significantly affect Biden's support, especially among younger voters.
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Can Democrats Be 'People-First' If Their Campaigns Value People Last?

294 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns Democratic Party Voter Behavior Fundraising
  1. Democratic campaigns need to prioritize human connections over dehumanizing marketing tactics.
  2. Engaging volunteers authentically and building relationships can lead to more effective and meaningful voter outreach.
  3. The traditional marketing approach in campaigns may backfire, highlighting the need for a shift towards relational organizing.

More on the Poverty of Democratic Party Organizing

255 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democratic Party Campaign strategies Political Activism
  1. Democratic party grassroots leaders are feeling disconnected from party professionals and facing challenges in coordinating efforts.
  2. Local volunteer leaders desire to contribute expertise but often work under inexperienced field organizers who lack familiarity with local issues.
  3. Volunteers report outdated technology, lack of feedback mechanisms, and ineffective campaign strategies within the Democratic party.

Hard Times on the Social Change Frontlines

235 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Change Funding
  1. Social change organizations face internal challenges in terms of leadership, finances, and alignment of goals.
  2. Progressive organizations are experiencing economic pressures and a disconnect between younger and older staff.
  3. Advocacy work is primarily funded by major philanthropies, leading to dynamic leadership but potentially poor management decisions.

Ambassadors From Another Time

235 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Vacation
  1. The beauty and impact of redwood trees is unmeasurable and unforgettable.
  2. Humboldt Redwoods State Park holds 'fairy rings' that nurture groups of trees.
  3. Conservation efforts have preserved old-growth forests despite past dominant ideologies.

Small Pieces, Loosely Joined

176 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Rage-giving for abortion access is declining after the Roe v Wade ending.
  2. Big funders like Pierre Omidyar are scaling back political and philanthropic giving.
  3. Progressives should prioritize grassroots funding and focus on social connections and community building.

The Democracy Reforms Transforming Local Politics

137 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Politics
  1. Participatory budgeting and citizen juries are empowering local communities to make decisions about budget allocations.
  2. Local government initiatives like Decatur 101 and CivicLex are improving communication and engagement between residents and local government.
  3. Promoting civic engagement can lead to positive changes in communities, and individuals have the power to champion democratic reforms.

Dreams (or Nightmares) of Civil War

176 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis
  1. The book 'The Undertow' by Jeff Sharlet explores post-January 6th America and its descent towards civil war.
  2. Jeff Sharlet delves deep into the current state of American politics, including the merging of evangelicalism with QAnon and the rise of a unique form of American fascism.
  3. The article highlights the challenges of online fundraising in politics and the investigation into potential fundraising scams by former president Donald Trump.

Traffic: How America got Facebookified in the 2010s

157 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Social media Politics History Culture
  1. The book 'Traffic' explores how websites pandering to people's lowest instincts gained popularity in the 2010s.
  2. The narrative in 'Traffic' highlights the shift towards worshipping unique visitors and engagement metrics in the digital media landscape.
  3. Ben Smith's 'Traffic' discusses how chasing viral content and high engagement levels may have clouded editorial judgment in media.

What They’re Still Not Telling Us About the UFOs They Shot Down

117 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Space Regulation Climate
  1. The US government has limited information about UFOs shot down in American airspace, leading to various speculations.
  2. There is a focus on militarizing space and colonizing other planets instead of pursuing sustainable and peaceful initiatives.
  3. The push for corporate colonization of space, supported by massive government funding, is driven by destructive myths rather than practical priorities.

Born Under Punchcards: When Govt Met Web 2.0

1 HN point • 30 May 23
🕹 Technology Digital Age
  1. Old government systems are causing delays and inefficiencies in processing unemployment claims.
  2. Hiring more staff did not solve the backlog issue in the government agency, showcasing the complexities of the problem.
  3. There is a need to address not only governmental system issues but also the broken democracy that contributes to inefficiencies in governance.