I've already put basically all of my samizdats in cafes, book stores and even a hair salon in chch, all with consent from whoever happened to be working there at the time. Here's to hoping they don't all get thrown in the rubbish as soon as anyone actually bothers to read them!

I even gave a couple to some Greenpeace activists. Awkward experience, but they were very civil and one of them even said he'd check SOLO out. I have my doubts but if you're reading this right now, welcome dreadlocks dude! Feel free to sign up and join the conversation!  

Now that Samizdat is launched perhaps you should start a Samizdat thread, Mitch? We can all share our experiences of promoting it and discuss ways to improve it as well as progress with advertising and so on...eh? eh?

and congrats on the inaugural KASS issue of Samizdat!

Yes, I suppose I did throw down the gauntlet, though inadvertently so. Let's see what happens. Do I get a crown of olive leaves or something?

I wish I had paid attention that Julian was off to Florence, as I've just returned today from a tour of Alto Adige, Asiago and Venezia. Good eats, good wines and so many handsome men I lost count. But oy, the bureaucrats...

Jennifer

-- Food Philosophy. Sensuality. Sass.

Since I started browsing the posts here a few months ago SOLO has definitely started attaining an identity with a tangible vitality and focus.

I cant put my finger on the exact causes and my best guess is that its a combination of Linz's weeding, fortuitous flouncing and the great efforts of Mitch and his KASS SOLO staff. (As the saying goes...all our members bring us happiness...some by coming and others by going)

To add to this, a bunch of sterling chaps have joined of late and added a powerful new dimension to SOLO...in a nutshell, its good to be here.

Due to current time constraints (moving and starting a new business) I regrettably dont have much time for enjoyable chit chat yet and therefore my posts and responses only happen when I cant help but get something off my chest lest I self-ignite or something.

I know these rants of mine aren't much to write home about, but thanks for the recognition on that "amutated spirit" response of mine anyway....which brings me to my next point.

Firstly I think the policy of getting members to write press releases and op-eds as the mood strikes is valuable and the output has been great, but I dont think it can be sustained without a systemised feedback and reward mechanism.

The fact is that these messages are and should be targeted at the general populace, and are thus generally too simplistic to be commented on by the smartass bunch over here.

At most, SOLO members could only be expected to critique these press messages as to the perceived level of effectiveness in gaining converts.

For the authors of these pieces however it is very frustrating not to be able to guage the success of these pieces in any way, and therefore as per a previous suggestion of mine sometime ago, may I once more call on you guys (Mitch Linz etc) to consider having William create a semi deicated web 2.0 type social-bookmarking space on SOLO for submitted press releases and other media pieces.

As with voting and feedback functionality like "Digg" it would be great if members could use tick boxes to score these pieces on various relevant criteria, and these scores could then be used to fuel competitions amongst contributors.

SOLO'S traffic is allready substantial enough to attract high level sponsors and donations, and all revenue raised could be used to get Objectivism into the minds of the young ones, where it matters.

The bottom line is that this systemized reward and recognition system would make for a never ending stream of motivated contributors and great press releases, not to mention the material for your newsletter.

Other than that I'd like to commend you all for creating and contributing to what is by far the best "antidote" on the planet

Hilton

PS! I'd love to help in getting an "Oz" version of your newsletter out here Mitch....how about it?

I admit that reason is a small and feeble flame, a flickering torch by stumblers carried in the starless night, -- blown and flared by passion's storm, -- and yet, it is the only light. Extinguish that, and nought remains.- - Robert Green Ingersoll

Thanks for the interest! You've got mail.

Mitch I like the sound of this. Is there a link to more information on where the Samizdat will be distributed, etc.

I don't mind putting a 'little' money toward it for now, perhaps you could email me a bank account number I could transfer to, or is there a link in Solo somewhere (I'd rather not paypal, I've never sorted that system out) ... email me at mhubbard@ihug.co.nz when you get a chance.

It didn't occur to me to Google it (I shouldn't have been so lazy).

"Samizdat (Russian: самиздат) was the clandestine copying and distribution of government-suppressed literature or other media in Soviet-bloc countries. Copies were made a few at a time, and those who received a copy would be expected to make more copies. This was often done by handwriting or typing.

This grassroots practice to evade officially imposed censorship was fraught with danger as harsh punishments were meted out to people caught possessing or copying censored materials.

Vladimir Bukovsky defined it as follows: "I myself create it, edit it, censor it, publish it, distribute it, and [may] get imprisoned for it."

Check out this Wiki article for the full story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samizdat

Solo is on fire and it is so exciting to see the passion and drive from the Soloists.

Is there a story behind the 'Samizdat' name?

Thank you Lance that gave me a very full experience of what Samizdat will be like. Now I'm even more excited!

First distribution is aimed at the second Friday of October (ie next Friday). Issues will be published on the second and last Friday of each month.

If you are interested in directing your energy towards Samizdat, I'm sure we could find many many uses for your IT skills.

Samizdat will have a KASS Global Warming article in each edition. Your article could be the first. We also intend to have an ever increasing distribution network, which will hopefully exceed the community newspapers.

It's relatively low cost as well. Hypothetically speaking of course, $720 would finance the first 2/3 editions

Lance has kindly converted Samizdat to PDF format, so see the attachment above for a mock-up.

Cool, when is your dead-line. The fact checking round is almost complete but the web-site needs to be setup. (Maybe tonight if I have some time)

I also need help with the anti global warming advert. So far pledges have been few. Were only up to $720 and most of that is my money. I expect a quote from Fairfax tomorrow about the exact cost for the advert.

Samizdat WILL KASS! The sheeple won't know what hit them!

Mr Dinther, permission to kick off your Global Warming campaign in Samizdat?

You can direct those advertising funds this way as well if you like.

I may or may not have expanded on the veracity of 'concert pianist'.

Oh dear, it's all very confusing.
The polite word is 'fickle'

I was going to say I don't have a musical bone in my body, but I'm concerned certain people would offer one.

... you're a concert pianist, then I just fell in love with you. Which is a tad awkward after my eloping with Grace, then dumping Grace for Matty. Oh dear, it's all very confusing.

Lance is: "a wine drinking, quick thinking, unabashed over-achiever. Lance Davey is a poet, adventurer, swordsman, concert pianist, big game hunter, winner - Best Dressed Man of 1933; mountaineer, lone yachtsman, Shakespearian actor and topless go-go dancer."

Baaahahahaha I didn't think you'd actually use that! You mean I have to back those claims up now?

(For the record that, perhaps exaggerated, list of achievements was lifted from a Robert Rankin novel )

Just tried to tell you on Skype, but yours went down again.

Samizdat—this'll KASS. Or in pop parlance, rock!

Very good indeed for a DB with ADD.