The document discusses the evolution of information ecosystems from the industrial age to the information age, highlighting the shift from scarce, institutionally-oriented content to abundant, participatory information. It explores changes in how individuals access and utilize information for problem-solving, emphasizing the role of the internet, social networks, and various sources in seeking support for personal and civic matters. The document also identifies new patterns of communication and strategies for engaging citizens in a networked world.

1. GOVERNING AS SOCIAL NETWORKING Lee Rainie – Director Pew Internet Project IRMCO – Cambridge, Maryland April 22, 2009

2. New information ecosystem: Then and Now Industrial Age Info was: Scarce Expensive Institutionally oriented Designed for consumption Information Age Info is: Abundant Cheap Personally oriented Designed for participation

3. 2000 46% of adults use internet 5% with broadband at home 50% own a cell phone <5% are content creators 0% connect wirelessly <10% use “cloud” = slow, stationary connections built around my computer, simple chat and information exchange The internet is the asteroid: Then and now 2008 75% of adults use internet 57% with broadband at home 82% own a cell phone ~40% are content creators 62% connect wirelessly >53% use “cloud” = fast, mobile connections built around outside servers and storage and social / civic engagement

4. Personal ecosystem changes

5. Media ecology – then Product Route to home Display Local storage TV stations phone TV Cassette/ 8-track broadcast TV radio broadcast radio stereo Vinyl album News mail Advertising newspaper delivery phone paper Radio Stations non-electronic Tom Wolzien, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co

6. Media ecology – now Product Route to home Display Local storage cable TiVo (PVR) VCR TV stations DSL TV Info wireless/phone radio DVD “ Daily me” broadcast TV PC Web-based storage content iPod /MP3 server/ TiVo (PVR) Cable Nets broadcast radio stereo PC Web sites satellite monitor web storage Local news mail headphones CD/CD-ROM Content from express delivery pager individuals iPod / storage portable gamer MP3 player / iPod Peer-to-peer subcarriers / WIFI cell phone pagers - PDAs Advertising newspaper delivery phone cable box Radio stations camcorder/camera PDA/Palm game console game console paper Satellite radio non-electronic storage sticks/disks Adapted from Tom Wolzien, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co

7. Personal ecosystem changes Volume of information grows Variety of information increases Velocity of information speeds up The times and places to experience media enlarge People’s vigilance for information expands AND contracts

8. Personal ecosystem changes The immersive qualities of media are more compelling Relevance of information improves The number of information “voices” explodes – and becomes more findable Voting and ventilating are enabled Social networks are more vivid

9. A different personal ecosystem and a different sense of … Expectation about access to information and people Persistence of the “digital me” and “digital you” Place … and time … and presence with others Possibilities of conversation and community -- scalability Personal efficacy Boundaries and contexts – public and private Social networking possibilities – new layers, new audiences

10. News ecosystem changes

11. 113 million 64 million

12. The internet and political news/information % who use the internet to get info about the campaign

13. Percent of adults

15. People-Press news consumer typology

16. Political ecosystem changes

18. 35% of adults have watched politically related video --- Up from 13% in 2004 Other activities

19. 14% of adults have used social network sites for political news and information Other activities

21. The process of citizen decision-making and problem-solving changes

22. Background of research Institute for Museum and Library Services grant UIC partnership Government Printing Office query http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/231/report_display.asp

23. Basic question How do people get information to help them solve problems that could have a government connection or be aided by government resources?

24. 23 Needed information about Medicare / Medicaid / food stamps 25 Changed jobs , retired, or started your own business 34 Needed information about property taxes or income taxes 39 Made a decision about schooling , paying for education, or getting training for yourself or for a child 45% Dealt with a serious illness or other health condition, either yourself or someone close to you Yes Problem – 1 (… in the past two years)

25. 5 Became a citizen / helped someone with immigration 10 Involved in a criminal matter, a lawsuit, or other legal action 15 Look for help from local government with a problem like traffic or schools 19 Wanted information about voter registration or a government action, program, or policy 20% Needed information about Social Security / military benefits Yes Problem – 2 (… in the past two years)

26. 79.5% had experienced at least one problem = Approx. 169 million adults and that is the target population for this research

27. What sources did you use for most recent problem? 58% of those who had recently experienced one of those problems said they used the internet to get help (not including secondary internet users) 53% said they turned to professionals such as doctors, lawyers or financial experts 45% turned to friends and family members

28. What sources did you use …? (2) 36% consulted newspapers, magazines, books 34% directly contacted a government office or agency 16% consult television and radio 13% went to the public library 11% used another source not mentioned in survey

29. Who turns to government agencies for problem solving? 40-somethings = 40% College grads = 37% Internet users = 35% No gender or racial/ethnic variance No income variance

30. Problem 7% 11% 10% 10% 20% 10% Library 14% 14% 14% 21% 15% 16% TV or Radio 71% 27% 60% 56% 27% 15% Government Agency 27% 43% 33% 32% 38% 37% Print sources 31% 58% 28% 26% 50% 51% Family or Friends 38% 27% 43% 48% 40% 83% Professionals 41% 66% 45% 60% 77% 46% Internet Social Security Change job status Medicare/ Medicaid Taxes Education Health Source of info.

31. Search success in problem solving NA 55% TV and radio NA 56% Family and friends NA 57% Newspapers, mags, books NA 61% Professionals / experts 55% 63% Internet 36% 64% Public library 49% 65% Government agency A lot of information Very Successful

32. Average searcher/decider Used 2-3 sources of information – not an either/or world Relied on an “outside” human being somewhere in the process to find or assess information – so humans were filters and assessors of information Did not “self diagnose” and “self medicate” – relied on an expert sources before making the final decision

33. There is a new pattern of communication, influence, and support in a world of networked individuals

34. The two-step flow of communication has become a four-step “cycle” Attention Acquisition Assessment Action

35. How do you…. get a citizen’s attention? leverage your traditional platforms be a “news node” - offer alerts, updates, feeds be available in relevant places on his/her terms, not just yours find pathways through his/her social network

36. How do you…. help a citizen acquire information? be findable in a search-driven, “long tail” world pursue new distribution methods figure out your role in the “link economy” participate in the conversation about your work

37. How do you…. help a citizen assess information? be transparent be an archivist when you make mistakes, seek forgiveness decide if you can be a trusted aggregator

38. How do you…. assist a citizen act on information? offer opportunities for feedback offer opportunities for remixing offer opportunities for community building be open to the wisdom of crowds

39. How are we doing in the Twittersphere? http:// search.twitter.com/search?q =%23irmco “ What are the metrics for citizen engagement beyond levels and diversity of participation?” Usability and navigation Feedback Buzz and participation Aid in social networking Aid in problem solving Trust

40. Thank you! Lee Rainie Director Pew Internet & American Life Project 1615 L Street NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036 [email_address] 202-419-4500