My apologies for this second email. We discovered a software error. While some of you might have received the full text of two days ago, others might have got a blank page. So here is the message again, with a little editing. The bug is hopefully fixed—and everyone now gets the full message.
Good News using Mastodon
Since 2023, I have been promoting the TDG on Mastodon. Mastodon is a Twitter clone, but with an organic ownership
Shortly after my last newsletter (mid-September), I changed my Mastodon strategy. I added another 17 TDG graphics to my pool of graphics I created a year ago. Some of the new graphics have slogans that are more on the sensationalist side. And I increased my frequency of five Mastodon posts per day to eight.
By the end of September, visitors to the TDG website went from 15 to 40 per week. This number seems to be holding.
Looking at my website stats, there seems to be some activity outside of Mastodon and Medium. But I can’t figure out where that activity is coming from. Anyways, the increased traffic is still good news.
I should say that at least half of these visitors click on one page, then disappear. Some read a few blog entries. Some return several times to read more.
The website stats showed someone from Hawaii read the TDG book and a TDG novel. He/she did it in four sittings. I’m not sure what this person thought of the TDG, but it was validating to have someone inspect my work at this level. Whoever you are, thank you for spending time to learn of this new way.
I still have not found any TDG builders, but more people have been exposed to the idea that we will need to build the democracy we so yearn for.
Zoom Meetings about the TDG
I have always wanted to host Zoom meetings to talk about the TDG. I think the increased traffic might be a sign that I can find a few people to attend. So I am thinking about starting Zoom meetings in January.
Wednesdays would work well for me. I am thinking of three times: (1) 10:00 a.m., (2) 1:00 p.m., and (3) 9:00 p.m. All times are Mountain (Calgary) time. I will give the same talk each time, and you pick the time that best suits you.
Alternatively, I could also set up Saturdays for these meetings.
This newsletter would advertise the meetings. I can also use Mastodon to give a half-hour notice before the meeting starts.
I would like some feedback from subscribers if they would be interested in attending TDG meetings. What TDG topics would be interesting for you?
Constructive Criticism
A week ago, a Medium contributor wrote an essay of why he believed the TDG could not work. He identified 11 points. And I responded to this critical thinking. The Medium link below provides a summary of this interaction, plus directions of how to get to this essay and my response:
Dave Volek’s Income Protection (DVIP)
I recently put up this “social program” on my inventions website.
Basically, DVIP uses free market principles to provide a source of income for life emergencies like unemployment and disability. Coupled with these emergencies are pensions, life insurance, survivor benefits, and another 10 plans.
I started thinking about this idea three decades ago. In 2015, I put the idea on paper, which turned into a three-month project. My intention was to rewrite the concept later. But 10 years have passed, and my life suggests the rewrite is not likely. So I put my 2015 notes on the internet for other people to use. I have to admit that getting my ideas “out there,” is psychological release for me.
If you are interested in this idea—and don’t mind a little actuary math, here is the link:
https://davevolekinventions.org/dvip/
And a bit more
Another 28 new subscribers since last newsletter. I estimate 210 in total.
Expect another newsletter in January.
If you have intention to attend Zoom meetings about the TDG, let me know.
Dave Volek
Inventor
Tiered Democratic Governance
Brooks, Alberta, Canada
