The Power of the Intertubes

How Social Media Builds Activist Networks

“Radical” Russ BelvilleNORML Outreach Coordinator

NORML National Conference 2011

NORML SHOW LIVE & NORML Network

http://live.norml.org

VIRTUAL RELATIONSHIPS LEAD TO ACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS

“Never doubt that a small, dedicated group of people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”Margaret Mead - Anthropologist

Six Degrees of Kevin BaconRuss Belville•A NORML Life

Rod Pitman•The Temp

Oliver Platt•FlatlinersKevin Bacon

OracleofBacon.org3

From NORML SHOW LIVE Chatroomto NORML National Conference 2010/2011

• AdamHand• Adevarat• BngwtrBecki• Buz1• CannabisCureUK• DamonAlexander• DreadSmokesWeed• Dustruction• GraayWolf• JenAlexander

• JohnDoeRadio• KayLea• LAngel1• Mr. Spof• Stereotype• StonedKidney• ThaiStik• TrixterPhillips• VaporKing• YellowJuanaCake

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS BUILD INSTITUTIONAL RESPECT

“The most important thing you can cultivate in NORML is the attitude of gratitude.”Madeline Martinez – NORML Board of Directors

From NORML SHOW LIVE toMaterial Support for Reform Messaging

• $1,600 in listener donations for El Jefe Hot Wings contest and other pledge drives

• LivelyLibra – Emergency meant couldn’t attend conference; donated registration for licensing

• NorCalKid – Volunteer assistance at Prop 19 election night coverage & Spring Gathering

• DamonAlexander – Donated “The Mothership”• RoLLaJaY – Donated every bit of audio and recording gear

that’s streaming and recording this conference online NOW

You can podcast on NORML Network

• Start small – a laptop and a headset mic are fine for beginners – record short local news info

• Audacity is free open-source recording software• Skype can be used for recording interviews• Expand to small mixers – adding recorded elements

– structured segments• Record to MP3, free software to upload to The

NORML Network

VIRTUAL ANONYMITY ALLOWS MORE HONEST DIALOGUE

“Son, you can fool all on the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time… and that’s damn good odds!”John Byron Belville – My Father

The “My Neighbor Hates Pot” Paradox

• Similar polls from Minnesota and Texas

• “Do you support medical marijuana / decrim?”

• “Do you think your neighbor supports medical marijuana / decrim?”

• We’ve been convinced our issue is less popular than it actually is!

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Thank you for your attention!Enjoy the NORML Conference

The Big Book of Facts Coming Soon

“Radical” Russ BelvilleTwitter: @RadicalRuss

Email: Russ@NORML.orgBlog: Stash.NORML.org

Live.NORML.org Weekdays LIVE at 1pm Pacific