Jason Van Anden
Since 2004
Works in Brooklyn, New York United States of America

ARTBASE (2)
BIO
Jason Van Anden is a new media activist, artist, inventor and robot maker. His creations are exhibited internationally, receiving recognition in the art, science, technology and gaming communities. More about Jason and his work can be found at his website www.smileproject.com.
Discussions (224) Opportunities (1) Events (4) Jobs (0)
DISCUSSION

Re: fuck Bush


If to demonize is to become we would have won.

I am not suggesting that this means we should follow their lead, but seriously - look at how they demonized Kerry's voluntary service in Vietnam. The man volunteered to go to hell because he felt it was the descent thing to do, and this was turned into a bad thing.

david goldschmidt>> To demonize the enemy is to become the enemy.
joy garnett>that's exactly right.

Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com

DISCUSSION

Re: fuck Bush


Steve,

Are you planning to make art to effect change, or is it that you are planning to just zone out for a while?

Jason Van Anden
www.smilepoject.com

DISCUSSION

Re: fuck Bush


Pall - thanks for the outlet!

ben> What are you going to do? Move to Florida and convince people on a daily basis? What about Ohio?

When I headed down to Florida I thought that I would be canvassing. While I was waiting for the driver to assemble canvasers, someone called out for anyone who was good with Microsoft Excel. I make my living designing and developing database visualization applications for Actuaries, so next thing I know, I am helping to organize the consolidation of data needed for the canvasing operation. The next day they asked me to stick around in case they had another software emergency. Over the three days, I ended up applying my day-job skillset in a number of projects to help drive the voter turnout. The thought that these skills would be helpful to such an operation never occured to me before.

I think it is a waste of time and energy to attempt to align the values of the hard right with mine. I believe that I am going to need to fight for my values by forcing compromise with the right through asserting power. I still believe that more people share my values than those of the far right - it is just a matter of mobilization.

Amazed by how my day-job skillset was applied to this end during this stint as a weekend activist has been enlightening. I beleieve that I am not the only one who was energized by this experience. As far as I am concerned, this election was my practice run.

Jason Van Anden

DISCUSSION

Re: fuck Bush


I plan to stay and fight.

On Saturday I flew to Ft. Lauderdale to help save the world. I volunteered with America Coming Together. As it turns out, 300 fellow New York volunteers - most of them first time activists like me - also arrived on Saturday at ACT. We worked our asses off from Sunday morning until election eve getting the vote out. We had an incredible impact on our community, and my only regret is that I did not start sooner.

As far as I am concerned, our deadline to save the world has just been extended four more years.

Roar!
Jason Van Anden

DISCUSSION

Re: XP service pack 2


I am glad that there are an assortment of OS's - and just one internet. The competition keeps things interesting. The internet insures we can share the love.

Can you imagine if there really was only one?

Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com