People protesting in NYC with picket signs. Generated via Midjourney AI

Moore’s Law and Organizing

Moore’s Law was first posed by Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel and Fairchild Semiconductor.

Moore’s Law is an observation that describes the exponential growth of computer processing power over time. It states that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, leading to advancements in computing capabilities. This has since been surpassed and we’re well beyond that pace.

Moore’s Law Has An Indirect Impact On Political Organizing

When it comes to political organizing in a democracy, Moore’s Law has indirect implications. The rapid advancement of technology, driven in part by Moore’s Law, has had a profound impact on communication, information sharing, and networking. These technological advancements have provided new tools and platforms for political organizing and activism.

While the law primarily pertains to computer hardware, the implications of rapid technological advancement can also be applied to fields like political organizing. Here’s how:

  1. Data-driven campaigns: Political organizing in the 21st century has become increasingly data-driven. The exponential increase in computational power predicted by Moore’s Law has enabled the analysis of large datasets to gain insights into voter behavior. This allows for targeted political advertising and more effective voter outreach.
  2. Digital tools and platforms: The continual advancement in technology has made new digital tools and platforms available for political organizing. Social media, virtual town halls, online petitions, and fundraising are all powered by technology that has become more powerful and less expensive due to Moore’s Law.
  3. Dissemination of information: As computational power increases, so does our ability to disseminate and consume information. This has enormous implications for political organizing, as parties and campaigners can use various mediums (e.g., social media, email campaigns, video conferences) to quickly distribute their messages to a large audience.
  4. Inclusivity and reach: Technology has lowered barriers to entry for political discourse, allowing more people to participate in and engage with political issues. This can lead to a more inclusive political environment, with more diverse voices being heard.

In democratic societies, individuals and groups can leverage technology to enhance their political organizing efforts. Social media platforms, for example, have become powerful tools for mobilizing supporters, disseminating information, and coordinating activities. Online petitions, crowdfunding platforms, and virtual town halls are just a few examples of how technology has facilitated political engagement and grassroots organizing.

Also the availability of data analytics and machine learning algorithms has allowed political campaigns to target specific demographics with tailored messages and advertisements, potentially influencing voter behavior.

The Opportunity…

Technology enhances the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of grassroots politics in pluralistic societies. It enables efficient communication, data management, and automation, while also expanding reach through online presence, crowdfunding and crowdsourcing. By leveraging technology effectively, grassroots organizations can improve their ability to engage with supporters, mobilize resources, and achieve their goals in a more impactful manner.

We live in an era where effective grassroots organizations are the easiest to form organically. These grassroot organizations will be able to create the kind of real influence that changes behavior of political, governmental and corporate behavior where democratic influence is possible. The plethora of tools that can be provided to build, scale and connect these organizations in a way that creates responsive conditional relationships between regular people and institutions.

With Great Power…

It’s important to realize while technology can significantly aid political organizing, it also brings challenges, including misinformation, digital divide, privacy concerns, and the potential for manipulation.

Because of this, while Moore’s Law can be a powerful tool in political organizing, it must be used responsibly and ethically.

Public Assembly Can Help

The goal of Public Assembly is to help organize cohorts of people into what we call “assemblies” to make actual positive change in the world. From politics to the environment to education, Public Assembly’s goal is to help not only organize people for a cause they all believe in, but help facilitate the planning and funding of the cause.

Find out more by emailing us directly at findoutmore@ourpublicassembly.com

Graphic Credit: People protesting in NYC with picket signs. Generated via Midjourney AI