Civic Genius promotes OC event to explore ‘digital disinformation’

A national, nonprofit, nonpartisan group plans event for April 30 OC event. Courtesy photo

A diverse group of Orange County residents have been invited to come together for a day-long citizen problem-solving event hosted by Civic Genius, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.

According to Todd Levinson, the Director of Programs and Strategy, Civic Genius is hosting the event in Anaheim to bring together citizens from across the political spectrum interested in working to overcome political polarization.

“We want to get people active, pursuing solutions locally,” said Levinson, noting that the topic of the daylong event April 30 will be ‘digital disinformation.’

“We are focused this year on the topic of digital disinformation and free speech,” he said, and the discussions will explore the tensions in between.

Civic Genius “will be running events in six to eight communities across the U.S. over the next year that bring people together to learn about this issue, realize that we can respectfully discuss and understand each other’s points of view, and find common ground to move forward,” said Levinson.

Moreover, he said participants will also participate in ConnectEffect, a transformative entertainment experience. The event is part of a national initiative that brings together Americans from across the political spectrum to learn about, discuss, and tackle critical national issues.

He said ConnectEffect is “from award-winning executive producer/director Riaz Patel” and “is a transformative entertainment experience that “hard-resets” our shared humanity.”
It is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to understand others as individuals instead of stereotypes, then quickly equalizes and humanizes them into one deeply connected group.

“The show takes an audience of total strangers with every background and opinion imaginable, then quickly equalizes and humanizes them into one deeply connected group. Next, the audience finally has much-needed conversations with each other that are label-shedding and echo-chamber-breaking – all within an enjoyable and entertaining experience,” said the nonprofit in a media release.

Accordingly, Jillian Youngblood, the nonprofit’s Executive Director, said the event promises “a vibrant and illuminating discussion with fun, visually compelling activities (think beach balls and board games) about a critical issue (digital disinformation & free speech) with the goal of achieving consensus solutions.”

The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Anaheim – Orange County (The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868).
“Importantly, participants won’t just be talking among themselves. Through a unique partnership with the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, the perspectives, personal stories and recommendations shared in this event will inform a months-long policy deliberation conducted by a group of national leaders – including experts, advocates, and technologists,” said Youngblood in the release.

Civic Genius is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization aiming to overcome political polarization and rebuild American civic culture through everyday opportunities to learn and engage, according to the information released.

“Through programs designed to meet people wherever they are in their civic engagement, then build on the common ground that already exists across personal backgrounds and political affiliations, Civic Genius is working to get our democratic experiment back on track,” it said.

The public is invited to attend the event, said Levinson. To attend, visit OCIYA22.eventbrite.com online. There is no charge to attend.