publiceye says:

“The only folks not on board with the revolution are our leaders, the group desperately trying to freeze time or hope this whole internet communication thing blows over.”

Of course, your general statement excepts http://www.MayorSlay.com (which you frequently cite) and, even, the always informative PresidentShrewsbury.com, right?

[UrbanReviewSTL — Not exactly.  Both sites are basically just websites — without comments you don’t get the community building dynamic found on blogs.  Both sites are as interactive as St. Louis’ main website.  Internet communication is a two-way street, a foreign concept in St. Louis politics.]

a ninny mouse says:

wanting to play devil’s advocate here….

why make a generalization that internet communication is a foreign concept in STL politics? Could the perception be based on the fact that 1. those “in power” (elected officials) realize that not everyone a. has internet access, b. internet expertise, or c. all of the above? (and please don’t cite the public library is always available because their numerous technology assistants will remind you that regular folks have a tough time with basic surfing) or 2. that the “doing of the politics” actually manifests itself in what you, Antonio, the Oracle, etc are doing; the blogging, the criticism (good and bad), the call for action?

[UrbanReviewSTL — Very good questions, thank you.  Yes, not everyone has internet, no doubt.  The fact that DSL is still not available in many neighborhoods, including mine, is problematic.  I can afford the $45/month for Charter high-speed but not everyone can.  I’ve raised this issue before but the non-technical leaders don’t seem to grasp the idea.  Other cities are moving forward with plans for city-wide wifi that can be offered free with advertising, great for those without the means to buy internet service.  This is important to helping students in our schools do research.  

But that was not  your point.  Your point was communication via the internet won’t reach everyone.  Agreed!  But, varying quality neighborhood newsletters don’t reach everyone, nor does the Post-Dispatch.  The Suburban Journal reaches everyone to the point of being litter, I had my service stopped years ago so as not to have to recycle all that paper.   Those reached by various neighborhood meetings is quite low, depending upon neighborhood or subject matter.  No means of communication is the silver bullet here.

Internet as a foreign concept in St. Louis politics is not because of a lack of understanding, really.  They fully understand the power of the internet to reach people — something they don’t really want to do.  They do not want to actually make various reports and such accessible via the internet — then people might actually read them and expect follow through.   Internet communications as a back and forth exchange of ideas between interested parties is not in the interest of ward-based factionalized politics.  They will continue to resist until we break down the system that has sustained St. Louis politics since 1876.]

progress this says:

Speaking of comments, yo KDHX, how about allowing callers to comment on Collateral Damage?

[UrbanReviewSTL — I think it would be very interesting to take some phone calls during the show!  We’d need an hour show — the time literally flies by so quickly as it is.  An hour would allow the hosts to take a few phone calls.  I just show up once a month.]