The purpose of the Public Sphere Project is to help create and support equitable and effective public spheres all over the world.
Featured Projects
Liberating Voices
A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution
People use a vast universe of information and communication systems. Unfortunately these systems are failing in many ways. It's time to assert the people's right to the systems they need, to better face the future as engaged and empowered citizens.
Civic Intelligence
Working together to solve problems for the common good
Civic intelligence is a key element of the Public Sphere Project. We are currently developing online resources that will help people learn what others are doing while allowing them to contribute as well.
Recent Activity
As you may have noticed we've begun our transition to a new content management system. Although it will take awhile, we plan to ultimately bring all of the pieces together under an integrated conceptual and graphical roof. One of the most important aspects our our work is fostering a vibrant community around the idea of public spheres.
Latest News
MIT Press publishes Liberating Voices!
Doug Schuler, October 8, 2008
After nine years of work, Liberating Voices: A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution will be available as a book. According to MIT Press, the book will be in the warehouse this October 31st. Think of it as our Halloween present!
Please take a look at the endorsements below. We've attempted a lot with this book and we'd like to know how well we've succeeded. Please let us know what you think and join the conversation as well!
"If we keep following the well-trodden paths that have brought us
to where we are, we'll never get to where we want to go. Schuler
and his colleagues believe that we can get out of these ruts, and
better yet, they tell us how. This work goes beyond elections and
demonstrations, beyond cynicism and business as usual. It asks the
much deeper questions: what kind of a world do we want and what
must we do to get there? Schuler and his colleagues show us that
another world is possible and invite everybody to the project. I
say, 'Let's get going.'"
—Jerry Greenfield, co-founder, Ben & Jerry's
"In this wide-ranging analysis of the role of information in society,
Doug Schuler proposes a grand theory that weaves together disparate
information and communication activities into an organized, synergistic
fabric. He taps into the collective wisdom of citizens—both theorists
and advocates—to develop a pattern language that can be used as a
framework for rethinking how we build community and create a more
humane, equitable future."
—Nancy Kranich, Former President, American
Library Association, author of Libraries & Democracy
"It's a wonder no one has attempted this monumental project before!
Doug Schuler and his collaborators have produced a visionary manual
rich in insights and directly useful in any attempt to connect
people and information technologies in the quest for real democracy.
This is a crucial book for our time."
—Langdon Winner, Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute