Spare Change

What up People,

First off, thank you for your support. It feels good to know people are really engaging with us. We love hearing your voices. We’re young and our goals are ambitious. We’re creating more than a website. We’re creating a culture that promotes intelligence. You’re a part of this culture. Teach each other. It’s time let everyone know who we are as a collective.

Here’s the first draft of our mission:

“There’s a war going on. It’s for our minds. The enemy profits from our ignorance and apathy. We fight back, making it cool to think critically and be in the know. Media is our weapon of choice. Our philosophy—to question what we’ve been taught, examine society and create a community that teaches and inspires collective action.”

To keep growing we need your help. What does TROUBL means to you? What are we missing? Be critical! We’re working hard developing the team and improving functionality to further our conversation. Let us know.

Tags: Reality | Apr 21, 2008 |

15 Comments, Comment or Ping

alwayswrite

I see you cut it down some, Troublman. Got you word count. Good. It’s sounds good. Very succint. Cool. Although, I miss “mind-space.” (Damn you Terry…damn you!!! :).

[Reply]
TROUBLMan

TROUBL,

We need comments. Let us know what you think.

[Reply]
Johnny Haze

ALWAYSWRITE- My feelings exactly. It’s succint, that’s for sure.

I personally still think of TROUBL as a NEW media company, not just a media company. I think that that is an important differentiating factor, as we’re specifically aiming to do things that the traditional media does not and cannot.

Also, for the last sentence, i would change the double dash to a colon and remove the ‘to’, so that it reads: “Our philosophy: question what we’ve been taught, examine society and create a community that teaches and inspires collective action.”

All in all though, I think this is very good and reflective of who we are and what we are trying to do. I want to hear from some more of the readers– what do you all think of the mission. Is this what TROUBL is to you?

MALIA, Q, etc.- where you guys at?

[Reply]
Malia

LOL—–sorry, yall….don’t forget that I do have a job (a real one….not just the TROUBL cheerleader - yall don’t pay very well…j/k)

It’s really really good, I’m impressed with the finsihed product. I know we all mulled over different ways to make it POP!!! I can’t just bust a mission statement out the box on a moments notice but I knew once I SAW IT—–I would feel it…….I’m definitely feeling this! I proud of you guys! I’m proud of TROUBL!!!

Now don’t get mad at the messaenger but you told me to be honest TROUBLMAN——you know I have mad love for you but I am just wondering who else is pluggin TROUBL as much as I am???? I have the “BE A TROUBLMAKER” tagline as my signature on ALLLLLL my outgoing emails, I have dedicated my entire MySpace page like it’s my shyt…lol. I see alot of my peeps up in here and I love that, but I want to see all YOUR peeps up in here too!

Yall niggaz be Mobbin so Deep—-then bring the fans with yall!!!!

I’m just sayin….

[Reply]
alwayswrite

J. Haze,

I agree. I feel the point with NEW media too. I still believe it creates a distinction that Troubl is trying to make between traditional media (”the enemy”) and Troubl. And also because Troubl does employ new media as a circumvention to the problems of traditional media–ignorance, profiting from apathy, brainwashing, etc. Again, I still think Troubl should use New Media.

[Reply]
alwayswrite

Malia,

That’s definitely how I feel. Personally, I’ve been spreading the word to those within my circle of friends who I believe will feel the mission and Troubl. Have they checked it out? Don’t know. I hope they do. At the same time, however, I don’t feel the need to ram it down their throats. Either they feel it or they don’t. If they do, when they see me, they’ll let me know. It’s getting off the ground, slowly, but we’ll be flying in a minute. From me to you, thanks for your posts and support. It’s motivating to see (hear/read I should say) people like you. It keeps us on the grind.

Note: Grind, pt. 2. Check it out. Ronnie B. Troubl. I suggest everyone read Grind, pt. 1, beforehand.

[Reply]
RBT

Malia whats your myspace

[Reply]
Malia

Malia Carter

[Reply]
TROUBLMan

MALIA

Don’t apologize. You bring enough to us everyday and we love you for it. My goal is to pay you. Why shouldn’t this be your real job. This is a big time for us. We’re working to bring in more writers with varied perspectives. We’re working to improve the site’s design, and market better. I bring people to the site but most don’t engage in the conversation, which means we need to improve our offering. I love everyone who engages with us. Everyone is smart and progressive. We’ve grown TROUBL as a community. You’re the mayor. It’s a blessing to share dreams with you and everyone.

[Reply]
Malia

LOL!!!! Mayor Carter…I like that! Nah, but really, I know alot of people who check out the site on the DL and they just aren’t as vocal as most of us…..My girl Loverof Peace actually put it on her signature as well and I was like WOW, thank you sis! She had no idea how much that meant to me. She doesn’t know any of you, but she did it to support me and that was sooooooo beautiful. I was speechless!!

My friends and fam read the articles and call me and say…..”yall was on one today! or That was a really great article! or my step dad says, they’re all young and have big dreams, but they can’t change the world….” and like you said, NO should be our favorite word!!!! Our morning cup of coffee!!!! Let’s prove everybody wrong!!!! We have the right to express our opinions….and we have the right to be informed!!!!! TROUBL style!!!!

[Reply]
Malia

- Be topical… write posts that need to be read right now!

- Break news. ((HEADLINES))

- Be timeless… write posts that will be readable in a year.

- Be among the first with a great blog on your topic, then encourage others to blog on the same topic.

- Share your expertise generously so people recognize it and depend on you.

- Announce news.

- Do interviews with the well-known.

- Answer your email.

- Start at the beginning and take your readers through a months-long education.

- Include comments so your blog becomes a virtual water cooler that feeds itself.

- Assume that every day is the beginning, because you always have new readers.

- Highlight your best posts so new readers can play catch up!

- Point to useful but little-known resources.

- Write about stuff that appeals to the majority of current readers ((AOG, RELATIONSHIPS, DAILYGRIND))

- Have relevant ads that are even better than your content.

- Write posts that each include dozens of trackbacks to dozens of posts so that people will notice you.

- Keep tweaking your template to make it include every conceivable bell or whistle.

- Digest the good ideas of other people, all day, every day.

- Invent a whole new kind of art or interaction.

- Write about a never-ending parade of different topics so you don’t bore your readers.

- Be patient.

- Give credit to those that inspired, it makes your writing more useful.

-Write about only one thing, in ever-deepening detail, so you become definitive. ((AOG, RELATIONSHIPS, DAILYGRIND))

- Don’t be boring.

- Write stuff that people want to read and share.

[Reply]
Johnny Haze

MALIA

These are excellent suggestions, and a killer list of things to do as bloggers– thanks. You are the mayor.

Now, to other readers out there, is there anything missing? Respond well and you might just get the key to the city…

[Reply]
"A Mom"

I also love the suggestions. Sorry been revamping. Anyway I have a few stories to contribute, but I think Troubl has gone a long way from the beginning. I too have had a lot of comments but would like to contribute in different ways. Why don’t we post some subjects, just subject and ask troubl people to research and right what they know about these subject sort of like a contest and let people pick what they like.

[Reply]
RBT

Malia for mayor Im wit it.. great suggestions we are starting to implement them as we speak or type (whatever). I also like your suggestion Moms Im defnitely seeing ways to work that. Great suggestions TROUBLMAKERS ….Lets keep them coming!!!! yea we’re talking to YOU.

[Reply]
"A Mom"

Subject: “Eleven Things We love about our Mate”

Somebody take this subject and get some good things and part 2 can be what we don’t like.

[Reply]

TROUBL

Spare Change

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