Introducing Voicebot
4th September, 2009
Right. So our industrial web-enabled writing robot [the ever so imaginatively named Voicebot] is launching today. The Voicebot is a tool that allows young people in this country to have a conversation with the MPs that so often stay locked away in Houses of Parliament.
You tell the robot what you care about online and it writes your messages out in the real world. It’s a conduit to reconnecting young people with Westminster, in fact The Voicebot will literally crash the walls of Houses of Parliament in October. And its taking all the views, cares and concerns that have been sent to it from now until then.
Reconnecting politics and the general public is a must. If we, as young people, feel that forcing change is beyond us, what hope do we have in a future?
Voicebox, and specifically The Voicebot, offers us all an opportunity. We’re bringing energy, ideas and an honest reality back to politics. We want this project to be a shining light in terms of engagement with youth. We want to show that through an intelligent, creative use of new media, our kids can not only feel empowered, but also actively involved in the future of this country.
Do young people care for politics? Of course they do! So stop criticizing, complaining and despairing and instead put that energy into new, smarter forms of engagement. The Voicebot is only one way of forming this bond as we challenge others to find new, innovative means.
Broken Britain? Rubbish. We want to prove that our kids care, they have feelings and they are the bright future of Britain. Empathise, debate and construct your arguments – we have bridges to build, and we need your help.
Send your messages telling the government what you care about today. 160 characters have never been so worthwhile.
Tags: Cares, Media, Optimistic youth, Politics, Robot
My first thoughts about this article were what an interesting poject this is and I hope it reaches its twin goals of generating greater particpiation and interest in the political process among ‘young’ people and geniunely getting a message across to those in the seats of power in Westminister. Whether I think this project is likely to achieve this or not is a different matter.
I can’t praise the originators of this installation enough for their ingenuinity and audacity in the development and execution this concept. But it is sad to think that an artificial mechanised arm may prove an effective way of communicating with our supposed honourable elected representatives. I’m sure I wont have been the first person to draw a parallel between what would appear to be an automonous disembodied arm planted in the middle of the House of Commons, the home of our goverment and those who oppose it; also seemingly disembodied, from the views and wishes of the general public
so true and about time!
there has been an underlying instution in this country for years struggling to keep society together with a major lack of support from the men in suits.
its not the big wigs that matter its the PEOPLE, the real people. the real issues.
time for change…
If it’s so about the”PEOPLE” then why employ a robot to sustain the distance?
Good point and one we are more than aware of. Unfortunately, yet for obvious reasons, we cannot have 10000 kids in Parliament all telling various MPs what they care about and the issue they face [as funny as it would be to see], hence why the robot is in place. The disengagement between politics and young people is plain for all to see – read Maduka’s comment above for a real insight into that thinking – this project is attempting to bridge this very obvious gap. The gap, however, is still there. What do you think we could do to make it even more so about the people?
You could have representatives from each Youth Action Team – which is after all what they were designed to do – then you really would have the voice of the young people (kids?!!?!??!).
Okay, first of all i thought that this idea was brilliant and i still do in theory.
I just think that you have put in a lot of time and ESPECIALLY money to something that you can get someone to do, when the money could be used elsewhere on one of your projects. This to me is unnecessary as a lot of young people would most probably prefer to write it themselves.
But very inovative idea.
Why is there no option for home educated children to use this facility? If you want the voice of young people then why not all young people? Why discriminate against home educated children?
Interesting idea. I dont get it thought. Why write it out.? Wouldnt it be better to show printed comments on an e-noticeboard or use an avatar or voice recognition or podcast etc.
Happy to help connect up ideas and people where I can
Martin
I care that people are given the chance to consider who they are, and to fulfil what they feel their potential is.