Citizen State

Citizen Statement 2024

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:16:35 -0700

Dear Citizens, Supporters, and Friends,

2023 was a quiet year for Citizen State. At least, that would be the public perception. Yet, behind the scenes we’ve been addressing some of the key issues that our organization was founded to tackle. Our focus on community building remains unwavering, as we put in place the mechanisms for endowing our institutions with the capacity to create a new society.

The ancients divided their year into distinct seasons. Each was invested with potent meaning - a cycle of birth, growth, death, and resurrection that marked time in the lives of both citizen and civilization. Though we will not claim to match the brilliance of those antique minds, we do believe that a division of the year into distinct periods allows all of us to better appreciate the flow of time - and mark well the achievements that occur within it.

We’ve divided our plans for 2024 into four phases. Progress requires structure and we want to be open about how Citizen State operates. These tasks are not set in stone, nor is the timeline. If you want to suggest additions or alterations to this plan, please let us know (you can always write to us at Read More

It Has No Hands, But It Can Steal

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 04:34:12 -0700

Citizen Voices presents unique and unedited opinion pieces from our citizens and allies. The views expressed within these articles may not necessarily be that of Citizen State as a whole and are presented in the spirit of democratic and free discourse. We are open to pitches and submissions made to press@citizen-state.com.

AI is going to kill us all. Supposedly.

Hypothetical AI-driven extinction events are referenced so routinely in coverage of AI tech that they’ve become background noise. Running jokes about welcoming our new machine overlords turn up in a substantial proportion of their comments sections. Even industry heads have recently taken to proclaiming dire warnings of the existential threat their own products could pose to humanity’s future.

Perhaps it’s because they know how good a distraction it makes from the far more concrete harm those products are actually doing right now.

The saturation of AI doomsday scenarios in popular culture – and in the mainstream discussion about emerging AI tech – has redirected the public’s focus away from the real and immediate problems this emerging technology poses. The Skynets and Roko’s Basilisks that dominate the debate on AI risk are still a far-future hypothetical, and a relatively unlikely one at that. Barring someone actively trying to create a fully autonomous mass-killer AI, it’s entirely likely they’ll remain that way. The threats posed by AI development as it currently stands, and which aren’t being taken anywhere close to as seriously as they should, are ultimately mundane ones – and ones where the core problem comes not from any issue with the technology itself, but from harmful trends in our socioeconomic system...Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 09:04:45 -0800

Prepare yourself to be motivated and elevated with a new viewpoint on the narratives that have stimulated us in the previous week. At Citizen State, we always work towards a brighter future, and often the groundwork for that future starts today. Start your week with a positive outlook by browsing through the pages of Citizen State Weekly. If you have any suggestions or would like us to feature your story, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@citizen-state.com.

Conferences Aim to Ease Work-from-Home Fatigue

Conferences, company offsites, and other team travel are helping to fill a void left by the office and meeting people’s need for in-person collaboration and relationship building, all without having to go to the office. The trend of turning conferences into immersive, interactive social events existed before the pandemic, but the pandemic has accelerated it, and as companies let workers choose where they work, those qualities are becoming more sought after.

Shifting our focus to local news could pave the way for truth to prevail

Fake news publications produced by conservative organization Metric Media, like the Iowa Catholic Tribune, sowed confusion among voters ahead of the 2022 US midterms. Such "pink slime" publications exacerbate the crisis of trust in media and contribute to the growth of "news deserts," with one in five Americans now living in areas without reliable local news. Rural communities have been hit hardest by these trends, and national reporters have often reported on them without understanding the issues. We need a...Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 11:48:02 -0800

Get ready to feel inspired and uplifted with a fresh perspective on the stories that have provoked our thoughts in the past week. At Citizen State, we're constantly striving for a brighter tomorrow, and often the foundations of that tomorrow begin today. So kick off your week on a positive note by perusing the pages of Citizen State Weekly. If you have any tips or would like us to showcase your story, don't hesitate to contact us at info@citizen-state.com.

Addressing the Education Crisis: Providing Incentives to Students for School Attendance

This article discusses the possibility of paying students over the age of 16 to attend after-school enrichment programs, extended summer learning, and work-study programs to address the decline in education outcomes and learning loss caused by the pandemic. Recent NAEP scores show a decline that could amount to as many as 22 weeks of learning loss, and chronic absenteeism is on the rise. The author argues that using the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to create opportunities that allow for more focused and intentional learning time, aimed at addressing gaps exacerbated during the pandemic, would be a better use of funds with potential for a greater return on investment. The article suggests that employing students in age-appropriate job positions at their schools and in their cities could also help address workforce shortages, reduce disengagement, and keep administrators clued into students' whereabouts. The author believes that paying kids to go to school or work at school is a seismic departure from fulfilling attendance requirements, but it represents an investment in students' future and the economy, both today and...Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 07:05:07 -0800

An inspiring and refreshing look at stories that made us think in the past week. At Citizen State, we're always striving for a better future - and sometimes the seeds of that future start today. Begin your week with hope by reading Citizen State Weekly. If you have any tips or would like us to feature your story, reach out at info@citizen-state.com.

Expanding Health Care Through the Use of Virtual Reality

Virtual reality is being used to enhance telemedicine and help patients recover from strokes by using robotic devices and VR headsets at Georgia Institute of Technology. The patients undergoing neurorehabilitation are outfitted with devices called Motus, which are strapped to their arms and legs to speed up recovery and assist with rehabilitation exercises. The headset sends feedback to the clinician, who can guide the patient through exercises in real-time. The use of VR has resulted in more accelerated patient outcomes, such as improvements in range of motion, pain reduction, and greater adherence to treatment plans. Despite drawbacks such as image quality and non-intuitive user interfaces, virtual reality holds a lot of promise for improving telemedicine, surgery, and medical training.

Bristol's Back Gardens: A Possible Solution to the Housing Crisis?

The We Can Make project has built "micro homes" for people affected by homelessness in Bristol, UK. The homes are built from woodchip building blocks and powered by renewable...Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 06:38:44 -0800

Tiny homes gaining popularity among those facing difficulties in purchasing or renting traditional housing

The Office of National Statistics has revealed that the number of households in England and Wales living in caravans or other temporary or mobile structures has risen by 19,000 in the past decade. Home ownership is falling and since 2001, the number of households renting has more than doubled. Across large areas of the UK, including in Manchester, Bath, Nottingham, Cardiff, Brighton, and Exeter, average rents are now unaffordable. Tiny homes, which are factory-built and shaped to a lorry’s dimensions so that they can pass under road bridges, are becoming more popular among people who can't afford to buy a house or pay the high rents.

Underlying issues of NHS crisis begin to be addressed

"The NHS is having its worst winter in recent memory with strikes, record ambulance and A&E waiting times, and fears of excess deaths caused by delays in treatment. What hope is...Read More

Citizen Statement 2023

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 08:08:07 -0800

It's been an incredible year for Citizen State as we continue to work towards building strong, independent communities that are able to thrive in any environment. In 2022, we were proud to work with an ever-growing group of individuals and organizations, including 508 citizens and startups, 422 investors and organizations, and in 6 cities and local areas.

One of the major highlights of the year was our advocacy against Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. As an organization, we believe in the sovereignty and independence of all nations and made the decision to stop cooperation with all Russian-based partners and organizations that back this hostile action. We also communicated our support for the legitimate and democratic Ukrainian government and people, standing in solidarity with those who are fighting for their rights and freedoms.

Yet, we were once again challenged by the impact of COVID-19, which made the continuation of our partnerships focused on developing new housing difficult. With the global economy facing uncertainty and the illiquidity of real assets, many investors reconsidered their options and we had to adapt our strategies. We were fortunate to have the aid of our dedicated team and partners, who helped us navigate these uncertain times and come up with creative solutions.

We have spent years researching and developing our models for community building, and we are confident that our approach is both effective and replicable. As a result of this extensive work, we are excited to announce that we have mapped out the successful functioning of Citizen State communities. We have developed detailed plans for everything from the physical layout of the community to the governance structures and systems that will ensure the long-term sustainability and success of that community. We are now ready to roll out these models during 2023 and are looking forward to working with more individuals and organizations to bring our vision to life....Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 09:15:44 -0800

An Atlanta hospital is taking on the city's housing crisis

Atlanta hospital Mercy Care plans to pay for ten apartments, pioneering the concept that good health begins with a decent place to live. It's one of several hospitals systems putting money into housing.

Google’s charitable arm is providing €500,000 in funding for a social entrepreneurship program in Ireland

The money will be used by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, who will use it to fund the Changing Ireland Accelerator Programme, a 12-month initiative for underserved social entrepreneurs.

Fusion robots are working in the UK space industry

The UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Satellite Applications Catapult have partnered to show how state-of-the-art remote handling and robotics technology...Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:55:40 -0800

Food giant Unilever is planning a dairy ice cream that uses milk that doesn’t come from a cow

The firm is working on a process called precision fermentation that uses yeast and fungi. A product could be available in about a year.

Hepatitis C vaccine progress

Scientists couldn’t figure out the structure of a key part of the virus — until now.

By 2025, Ireland will generate sufficient solar electricity to power the state

The Green Party chief said such an announcement means that the state's solar power targets are being brought forward by five years.

Transit agencies are experimenting with solar-powered e-paper signs to provide updates

The e-paper signs, which cost between $3,500 to $5,000 each, are easier to read because they are high-contrast and don’t produce glare.

A...Read More

Citizen State Weekly - News That Inspires

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 07:39:38 -0800

Humans could live on the Moon for long periods during this decade

Howard Hu, who guides the Orion lunar spacecraft programme for NASA, says habitats will be needed to support scientific missions.

Guaranteed income programmes reduce parental stress, which is good for kids

More than 48 guaranteed income programmes have been started in towns across the USA since 2020, with at least 11 initiated in 2021 alone.

How workable is it to build a colossal city in a building?

The idea of an arcology was proposed by the architect Paolo Soleri in 1969. A year later, Soleri began work on Arcosanti, a town in America, which demonstrated his concepts.

Advancing financial equity through automatic enrolment in crisis savings

Policymakers can take action to make saving for crises as easy as possible by authorising auto-enrolment into many types of workplace-based savings accounts.