The solution presented by PeopleCount is unimaginable.

Imagining occurs in a context. While PeopleCount can be reliably created with a few million dollars of effort, our cultural context makes the startup phase near impossible.

I’ve communicated to a few VCs (venture capitalists) and Angels (angel investors) who really, really, really want what I can deliver. They say no. VCs are very busy and their money is desired by many. So they insist that one submit a business plan, a short written document that describes the effort. It seems like a reasonable request.

The problem is, most revolutionary technologies aren’t expressible to most people in a short bit of writing. We listen from the world we know, through the ideas we know. Written words, especially, are interpreted while read. There’s no emphasis, no cadence, no pauses to steer the meaning. One certainly can’t gauge the audience or answer particular questions.

I’m not saying writing can’t convey the ideas, but it takes a longer work, a real story. It takes painting a picture that sweeps the person along. It takes changing the perspective to see the issues from different angles. This kind of effort takes years and meanwhile, the project languishes.

So I’m working on two books. I can’t really afford not to have an income, much less pay a ghostwriter. But the problem calls for me to solve it, and none of the wealthy have stepped up so far, so I’m spending my savings as well as my time.

At the same time, it doesn’t work to blame others. I need to find a way to say “it” so that it can be heard. And as I do, I’ll try to again get the attention of those with resources who are committed to a healthy democracy.