The Connector Newsletter

Introducing The Connector! This is an evolution of First Post, a newsletter I shared for several years during my time as president of Civic Hall. My aim is to explore the relationship between politics, social movements, community organizing, and technology, particularly how we can strengthen our democracy. Currently, The Connector is published twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, and it’s absolutely free. Each new issue will be delivered straight to your inbox.

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Across the Great Divide

Nov 6, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

The ConnectorA newsletter on democracy, organizing, movements and techNo thanks
On Canvassing: The Mind You Change May Be Your Own

Nov 5, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

Yesterday afternoon, while door-knocking in Sleepy Hollow, NY on behalf of the Democratic slate, I saw someone across the street in a light blue sweatshirt carrying a piece of campaign literature and glancing at his cell phone. “Are you also canvassing here?” I called out. And that’s how I met Kevin, a 56-year-old Republican activist from Connecticut who was canvassing for Elon Musk’s America PAC. Yes, they’re here on the East Coast and not just in swing states.
A “Dating Site to Defeat Fascism”

Oct 29, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

As I wrote last week, I’m still feeling optimistic about the outcome of the election. Here are a few additional reasons why:Underlying demographic trends in the Rust Belt states that make up the Democratic “blue wall” favor Harris.
A “Dating Site to Defeat Fascism”

Oct 29, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

As I wrote last week, I’m still feeling optimistic about the outcome of the election. Here are a few additional reasons why:Underlying demographic trends in the Rust Belt states that make up the Democratic “blue wall” favor Harris.
On This Impossible Moment

Oct 7, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

As a writer, I have a few rules. One of them is, if you don’t have anything new to say, then don’t strain to say anything. Take a breather. This is one of those moments, and this will be a short post. Yes, we had many problems and unresolved crises before October 7, 2023, but now everything seems worse. Broken and breaking more. In the Middle East, Israel’s most rightwing government is escalating its war against Iran and its proxies, with the help of the United States.
When History Overflows, Build a Lifeboat

Oct 2, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

According to the fact-checking site Snopes.com, the Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Leninnever actually said, “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen.” Still, the sentiment rings true. And while we aren’t (as Lenin was) living through the overthrow of a brutal monarchy and the establishment of a revolutionary new regime, the last few days, weeks and months have been filled with radically destabilizing developments.
The Third-Party Problem in 2024 and a Longer-Range Solution

Sep 17, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

Discover more from The ConnectorA newsletter on democracy, organizing, movements and techOver 6,000 subscribers If you are at all shocked by Donald Trump and J.D. Vance’s decision to attack legal Haitian immigrants for supposedly eating people’s pets, then you haven’t been paying attention.
The Third-Party Problem in 2024 and a Longer-Range Solution

Sep 17, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

If you are at all shocked by Donald Trump and J.D. Vance’s decision to attack legal Haitian immigrants for supposedly eating people’s pets, then you haven’t been paying attention.
Slouching to Election Day with MiniVAN

Sep 4, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

Back on August 10th, I spent a Saturday afternoon volunteering for the New York State Democratic party’s coordinated campaign on behalf of incumbent House Rep. Pat Ryan and three other lower-ballot candidates. It was fun to be outside on a gorgeous summer day knocking on doors in the suburbs around Poughkeepsie, and there is always something to be learned from talking with ordinary voters about politics.
Purging the Demons at #DNC2024

Aug 21, 2024 | theconnector.substack.com | Micah Sifry

The dictionary definition of catharsis says it is the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. Typically, this release is created by expressing it in art form. But at the Democratic National Convention this week, and especially last night, catharsis is coming in political form. I’m not in Chicago this week.