All Segments
a16z Podcast | The Internet Is Your Movement
11 segments available
Clearly disruption plays out not just in business but also in politics. Whether it was the Scottish national party, recent election campaigns, or local school boards, people grew and organized communities online all last year through NationBuilder -- which provided a software platform for those otherwise underserved from an established technology perspective (hence the disruption theory reference). Harnessing the energy of communities goes beyond politics though, to all kinds of movements. But what happens when people remain in filter bubbles on the internet -- the very internet that NationBuilder CEO Jim Gilliam famously called his "religion"? What happens when that religious fervor or energy can be... "rabid"-like? Especially in a context where money, media, and other traditional institutions might not have the same impact or control they once did? "The internet can reflect back whatever it is that we want it to -- and we need more leaders to step up and say, 'Look, this is the way that I want it to be'," argues Gilliam in this episode of the a16z Podcast in conversation with Ben Horowitz (based on a session recorded at our recent a16z Summit event). Movements, it seems, are really about leadership, and the future is not written yet as people create new models of voice and choice.
Segments Timeline
The Rise of NationBuilder
In this segment, Jim Gilliam introduces NationBuilder, the software platform that played a crucial role in the recent elections, powering 40% of national campaigns, including those of major presidential candidates. He discusses how traditional political parties have become gatekeepers, limiting access to resources for many candidates, and how NationBuilder disrupts this by providing affordable tools for grassroots movements.
"hi everyone welcome to the a 6 & Z podcast today's episode is based on a conversation that was recorded at our recent a6 and Z summit event it features Ben Horowitz interviewing Jim Gilliam CEO and fo..."
Disruption in Political Campaigns
Gilliam explains the concept of disruption theory in political campaigns, highlighting how NationBuilder offers a more accessible alternative to expensive traditional campaign software. He contrasts the spending of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, emphasizing how the political landscape is shifting away from established norms and allowing outsiders to gain traction.
"like 99 percent of newspapers endorsed Hillary and so the mainstream media had no impact on the election the political party had no impact on the election and more than that she out raised him seems l..."
The Importance of Voter Files
In this segment, Gilliam elaborates on the significance of voter files in political campaigns. He explains how traditional parties control access to this critical data, which can hinder outsider candidates. NationBuilder's approach to compiling and providing voter files for free represents a revolutionary shift in empowering candidates from all backgrounds.
"political parties the political parties have traditionally been some of the gatekeepers to whether or not like you can run for office who gets the resources and what they've done is over time they've ..."
Shifting Dynamics in Campaign Strategy
Gilliam discusses how the influx of money in politics is becoming less relevant as the traditional methods of campaigning evolve. He argues that candidates must now focus on genuine engagement and messaging that resonates with voters, rather than relying solely on endorsements and financial backing.
"result is in order to get access to that voter file you have to be blessed by the party and so if you can imagine in primary situations the folks that there's a lot of desire to kind of keep the outsi..."
The Scottish National Party's Success
This segment highlights the Scottish National Party's use of NationBuilder during their campaign, which led to a historic election victory. Gilliam shares how the party shifted focus from technology to grassroots engagement, demonstrating the power of community mobilization in achieving political goals.
"so now that the old rules are gone now like that I can no longer win an election by getting an endorsement from a major party getting an endorsement from the media raising a ton of money if I can't wi..."
Contrasting Campaign Strategies: Trump vs. Clinton
Gilliam analyzes the contrasting campaign strategies of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, focusing on their messaging and voter engagement tactics. He points out how Trump's ability to tap into voter energy and enthusiasm played a crucial role in his success, while Clinton's campaign struggled to connect with voters on current issues.
"like that it may tripled their party membership in the course of two and a half months and that's how they actually won so it's like the folks that are spending all their time trying to make the tech ..."
The Internet as a Transformative Force
In this segment, Gilliam reflects on the transformative power of the internet in shaping political movements and public sentiment. He discusses the challenges posed by filter bubbles and the need for leaders to harness the energy of online communities to drive meaningful change.
"thing and so the Trump campaign weren't running the campaign the way you're supposed to but at the end of the day what he did was on his cellphone whatever it was that was coming up for him he like pu..."
Balkanization of Society
Gilliam addresses the growing balkanization of society, where individuals retreat into echo chambers and fail to engage with differing viewpoints. He emphasizes the importance of fostering dialogue and understanding across political divides to create a more cohesive society.
"humanity is connected and was very different about my god is that we get to decide how it is that will behave like each of us contribute to that so the future is not written the Internet can like refl..."
The Role of Leadership in Democracy
This segment focuses on the critical role of leadership in shaping democratic processes. Gilliam argues that true democracy requires active participation and engagement from all citizens, and that new models of leadership are necessary to navigate the complexities of modern governance.
"opposite directions where the path that we're on right now is definitely going down opposite direction something has to change absolutely the thing for me is like I grew up like as a kid in this sort ..."
Creating New Models for Governance
Gilliam discusses the potential for new governance models that transcend traditional political structures. He envisions a future where individuals can choose how they want to be governed, facilitated by technology and community engagement, leading to a more dynamic and responsive political landscape.
"what are the other things they shouldn't have because I disagree with them that's what America is built on that is what we are exporting to the world so we've now gotten past the will of the party the..."
Empowering Grassroots Movements
In the concluding segment, Gilliam shares inspiring examples of grassroots movements that have successfully mobilized communities to effect change. He emphasizes the importance of individual agency and the potential for collective action to reshape the future of politics and society.
"and even government will become less and less relevant to people's lives as completely new systems are built by leaders outside of that system creating something new and we'll see that that'll be a bi..."