> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.chrismessina.me/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# I am a citizen and I have agency
- URL: https://www.chrismessina.me/blog/i-am-a-citizen-and-i-have-agency/
- Published: 2006-06-12T16:12:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-25T03:36:16.000Z
- Author: Chris Messina
- Tags: Citizen Agency, Life online, Open source, Personal

[](http://www.flickr.com/photos/factoryjoe/165988987/?ref=chrismessina.me)So in case you missed it, [Tara](http://www.horsepigcow.com/?ref=chrismessina.me) [left Riya very recently](http://www.horsepigcow.com/2006/06/announcement-2-rogue-on-loose.html?ref=chrismessina.me), following a [trend](http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2006/06/07/tara-says-bye-bye-to-riya/?ref=chrismessina.me) that's at least [a couple months old](http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2006/03/20/sublimating/?ref=chrismessina.me) (but [blowing out](http://benmetcalfe.com/blog/index.php/2006/05/02/the-rumours-are-true-im-leaving-the-bbc/?ref=chrismessina.me) [recently](http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/06/10/correcting-the-record-about-microsoft/?ref=chrismessina.me)). The obvious question is: *"what comes next?"* Well, without much time and without much hesitation (which means going on the sense in our collective gut, which our worldly president [espouses](http://www.crisispapers.org/essays/bush-gut.htm?ref=chrismessina.me)), we decided to take the plunge and start our own *consorgency*. We're calling it [**Citizen Agency**](http://citizenagency.wordpress.com/?ref=chrismessina.me). And we're still trying to figure out what we're gunna shape it into... but we've got some [initial ideas](http://citizenagency.wordpress.com/about-citizen-agency/?ref=chrismessina.me). The name was spontaneous to be sure, as we're on a tight deadline to get this thing launched, but it captures some of the important organizing [principles](http://www.horsepigcow.com/2006/06/building-blocks-for-indendents-now.html?ref=chrismessina.me) behind what we're doing. And of course, no good project or idea is without a kickoff track to its soundtrack... so, substitute "Patriot" with "Citizen" in the [eponymous song](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Patriot-lyrics-Pearl-Jam/97EED1E4BB9CEB8B48256D6B00247326?ref=chrismessina.me) by Pearl Jam and a picture starts to emerge: And I ain't no communist And I ain't no socialist And I ain't no capitalist And I ain't no imperialist And I ain't no democrat I sure ain't no republican either I only know one party, and that is freedom Whatever this thing we're building is, it's gunna be consistent with everything that's lead to our shared success so far, including starting with a [community model](http://feeds.feedburner.com/factoryjoe?m=132&ref=chrismessina.me) and building it out through [channels](http://pinkomarketing.com/?ref=chrismessina.me) that respect the dignity of our *consorgents* and partners. Ah, and if you have an idea of what kind of [symbol might represent this idea](http://citizenagency.wordpress.com/2006/06/11/what-would-represent-you/?ref=chrismessina.me), [we're all eyes](http://www.horsepigcow.com/2006/06/we-need-logo-for-citizen-agency.html?ref=chrismessina.me).

---

### 💬 Comments from the original post

**Judman** · 2006-06-12 18:56:10

It sounds cool... but for those who just wander on to your website, they wont know what the heck your talking about. In the about page, just state in the first page what Citizen Agency is.

**[FactoryJoe](http://www.factorycity.net/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-06-12 19:03:42

Thanks Judman. Yeah, we've only been crackin' at it a week, so we've hardly begun to work on our site. And yeah, we're also still finding clarity on just what this thing will be -- by the time we get that clarity, the website and blog should reflect just what the heck we're up to!

**[BillSaysThis](http://www.billsaysthis.com/?ref=chrismessina.me)** · 2006-06-13 16:55:11

Dude, very good step to take! If I may quibble, though, since it involves one of my favorite musicians, the lyrics are by Little Steven (yes, Springsteen's right hand man and Sopranos star Steve Van Zandt). Perl Jam may have covered it but the original recording is from his amazing 1984 release "Voice of America". Lyrics: http://www.littlesteven.com/songs-voa.html#I%20Am%20A%20Patriot%20(and%20the%20river%20opens%20for%20the%20righteous) RealAudio clip: http://www.littlesteven.com/song/patriot.html If you like PJ take the time to find that one and his first (1982) solo record, Men Without Women. Credited to Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. To this day I don't understand why neither was a big hit and, around the same time, Bon Jovi was.

**Judman** · 2006-06-13 17:16:11

Sounds interesting... sounds like a mix of branding and identity plus a bit more. oh yeah, btw, +odeo'd you :P.

**Micque** · 2006-12-19 13:37:15

It is a great idea. Agency actually means the ability for the individual to construct their social reality. I am working on a company that incorporates the idea of agency but from the standpoint of being an agent of change to end oppression and injustice. Keep going this idea is great. Micque