Activists, feminists, social reformers in the 50s+ are often not represented anywhere on the internet and are therefore invisible. As an elder I want to change this by designing a simple

The problem

Activists, feminists, social reformers in their 50s, 60s, 70s+ are often not represented anywhere on the internet and their life's work is therefore invisible to anyone but family members and their own circle of friends.

Some may have published work that is accessible online via the likes of Amazon, some may even have a wikipedia entry, some may have had biographies written by other people that may be available on the internet. None of this will have been presented or written by the elder, and there is a danger that the work of a whole generation involved in the social change movements of the 1960s-80s will be invisible, or in the best scenarios, partial and written by others.

There is a dearth or absence of support that doesn't require a very steep learning curve to new entrants to the social web. Even twitter is a hugely complex if one doesn't have a history of practice within chat, irc or other systems. And there is no training beyond NVQ1 in computers, which for this group of people is inappropriately pitched and addresses only the simplest of their communications needs (email).

Unless this issue is addressed, and soon, a whole large chunk of our social history will be lost. In effect, it will be like the scanning of the family photographs, but done with and while the elder is alive and by, of and about them. I'm callling it 'retrospective life streaming'. There will be a better name.

The idea

I want to change this by designing a simple package of support that will combine some basic training with a consultancy service to design:

- an integrated internet presence

- domain/hosting/a blog/and 'about me' signpost page

- twitter, facebook accounts, youtube/vimeo, others as appropriate ravelry.com, etsy, red bubble, a photohost site

- link them together, make them make sense as a package

- use only proprietory systems that have proven seo and are easy to use (WordPress.com)

- train the elder social reformer minimally in their use (do all the one-off back end and show them how to write & publish)

- provide a retainer service for all/any problem solving (x days per month)

- show a younger family member or trusted employee how it all works for maintenance purposes

I'm an excellent role model, a 60-ish technophile, hugely passionate internet advocate, an experienced trainer and hands-off approach to even keyboard skills tuition (you might be surprised at how often this is needed).

This work is so important. People's life's work, the important roles played by these people are being lost in dusty boxes in their attics.

What we need

Support and ideas to improve my general idea and overall approach. Suggestions as to the best systems & platforms to use. Contacts (everyone's grandma, uncle, retired politico, Aldermaston marcher, Greenham Common camper), and support to create a small network to carry it forward. Evangelists, fundraisers, help with a feasibility study, moral courage, enthusiastic backers. Energy. Pro-activity.

In exchange I will help advise and support anyone who is making work targeting an elder group, be prepared to test drive and guinea pig, be part of a focus group, whatever, for anyone designing for my age group and ability level.

I'll be doing my first one of these in support of a feminist academic early June, where I'm certain lots of lessons will be learned. I'll be able to provide more info after this.

Tags

elder, support, access, internet, training, tuition, retrospective life streaming, archiving, visibility, social reformer, activist, history

Retrospective Life Streaming for Elders

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