WELCOME BLOG
Less noise. More signal.
By Eve R. Doster
If you’ve spent the last decade bewildered by the state of America, you’re not alone. Across the political spectrum, there’s been no shortage of things to be concerned about–and no clear path through the fog of it all.
We’re not imagining it. Ten years of contemptible politics have put us in an unnatural state of hypervigilance and the reality we’re facing is serious: America’s unsteady political leadership—and the partisan infotainment that cashes in on it—has begun to confuse our senses.
Staying informed about our government shouldn’t mean having to endure chronic engineered hostility. America Visualized sees a steadier way through.
How America Visualized began:
As political wonks, we spend a lot of time sifting through data and political processes. Born of deep frustration with online misinformation, we began breaking down popular news stories and posting contextualized condensed versions of them on social media.
To our surprise, folks were openly appreciative and felt the posts were centering, even when the information was angering. It was a signal: there was an exhaustion with outrage and thirst for clarity.
Inspired in part by beloved podcaster Heather Cox Richardson, America Visualized wants to contribute to a culture of reliability. We’re a living reference designed to identify the patterns behind political chaos and offer actionable ways to confront it.
What to expect:
The name America Visualized carries two meanings.
First, we visualize data. We break down complex systems, policies and political processes. We translate the machinery of government into something you can actually see and understand.
Second, we practice visualization in the deeper sense: imagining the America we want as if it were already possible.
We recognize American citizens’ intelligence and designed the website with collaboration in mind. In addition to a blog, infographics, and references, the website includes a community vision board that will be used as a touchstone. Your input will guide us.
The midterm election countdown has begun, so we’re moving fast and focused. Here’s the plan:
- Weekly action items that help you engage with democracy in real time.
- Trustworthy political resources to help navigate misinformation and sharpen your understanding.
- Nonpartisan news recommendations that prioritize accuracy over outrage.
- “What’s Good?” blog series and newsletter featuring uplifting stories of decency and civic courage.
- Wednesday political blog series with educational breakdowns, human interest profiles, opinion pieces, visual journalism, and more.
- Interactive community vision board designed to re-imagine and repair democracy.
America Visualized is a living project. It’s built for people who’ve had it with bad-faith politickin’ and a corporate media landscape they no longer fully trust. Facts, when visualized with context, are powerful. And if we do it right, it can be a source of civic action and peace.