What Will Google Announce Next Week?
Facebook Forced To Let You Vote On Privacy Changes
Partenope City, the World's First All-Ethical Town, Only Exists Virtually
Partenope City -- christened after the original Greek name of Naples -- is a cross between Google Maps, a message board, community action portal, and IRL role-playing game. Its roughly 2,000 current members pledge to live by an ethical code that benefits the larger community, and use the site's message board to discuss local issues and "to propose projects, laws and initiatives." (An English translation of the code appears at the bottom of the page.) A customized Google map allows users to mark locations around Naples and share news about them, while a virtual daily newspaper aggregates peoples' views.
Agrelli is taking steps to create Partenope City membership cards, which he says will reap real rewards in the analog world. "It's a bit different from a loyalty card, as it's not based on economic advantages, but on moral and ethical codes," he tells the BBC. But he goes on to say that subscribing business owners could "offer a [Partenope City] citizen a cup of coffee or a discount if they buy in their shop." So we're not entirely sure if Agrelli has really thought out his ethical system, especially if people are coerced into the program with the promise of cheaper or free goods. Wouldn't you pledge to never step foot outside of a crosswalk if you knew it meant free espresso?
The point is, Partenope City sounds like an altruist's dream, but -- as is typically the case -- a dream is all that it is. People must want to follow the rules to truly subscribe to the idea of Partenope, and Agrelli may be hard-pressed to find more than a handful of locals willing to take the pledge. (Then again, maybe the people of Naples are more inclined to subscribe to the Kantian categorical imperative than are we embittered New Yorkers.) Of course, the crossover between online and real-world community activism is incredibly important, but most successful grassroots organizations have slightly more pointed charters than simply directing people to be nice to one another. [From: BBC]
40 Years Later 'Napalm Girl' Tells Her Story
Disney World Scammers Scored Four Years of Free Vacations
Lost Dr. Seuss Cartoons Show Another Side Of The Author
Stranger's Kiss Keeps 16-Year-Old From Committing Suicide
Rookie Cop Reportedly Berated, Called 'A Rat' For Arresting Off-Duty Officer
PHOTOS: Charlize Theron's Short And Shoulder-Baring Style
Walmart Ending Membership in Conservative Group
How I Went Bankrupt at 23
Chain Food Showdown: The Best & Worst Buffalo Wings
Can a New Guy Save Best Buy?
Woman Claims Kangaroo Stalked Her for 2 Days, Then Attacked
Disturbing Video Allegedly Shows Montreal Torso Suspect Murdering Victim
Pete Cosey Dead: Chicago Guitar Great and Miles Davis Collaborator Dies at 68
Facebook, Week Two: Fortunes Made and Fortunes Lost (Mostly Lost)
Kansas Police Search For 12-Year-Old Girl Who Disappeared With Canadian She Met Online
Michael Grant Dead: Crescent Shield Singer Dies Aged 39
George Zimmerman's Bond Revoked
Student Ate Roommate's Brain And Heart, Cops Say
Heidi Klum's Sexiest (And Scariest) Outfits
Witherspoon Bigamy Case Heats Up
New Discovery Sheds Light On Amelia Earhart Mystery
Is Kate Walsh Leaving 'Private Practice' Next Season?
Porn Actor Mailed Murder Victim's Body Parts To Canada's Top Political Parties: Cops
Space Agency Predicts Date Of World-Ending Galactic Smash-Up
See Kim Without Her Wig On 'Don't Be Tardy For The Wedding'
Zhang Ziyi Slams Prostitution Allegations
LOOK: Photos Of Military Moms Breastfeeding In Uniform Cause Controversy
Calif. Man Becomes Internet Sensation In China For Random Act Of Kindness
PHOTOS: This Month's Biggest Photoshop Fails
Luka Magnotta: 'I'll Be Back -- And This Time The Victims Won't Be Animals'
Why You Should Never Wear One Of These To A Job Interview (And Other Tips)
New Video Shows Face-Eating Attack Lasted 18 Minutes
Comments
2
Subscribe to commentsFiona DudleyMar 4th 2010 11:37AM
Dear Mr. Zuras,
I say Partenope City is more than just an altruist's dream. Would I stay on the crosswalk, or visit a particular merchant 'only' because of a promised cup of coffee? Of course not! The point of creating a code of ethics that spills over into the real world is trust. I would patronize and befriend other members of Partenope City for that reason alone.
And for those who subscribe to the idea that there's no such thing as an altruist, well, the cup of coffee certainly helps.
Mr. Agrelli's project combines the effort to build a better Naples though voluntary ethics, with innovative marketing and social networking.
PS - On Feb. 28 I wrote my own take on Partenope City, why I love it, and why I want my own town of Asheville NC to do the same thing:
http://thewetsponge.com/posts/186 . Thank you for allowing links in comments.
Matthew ZurasMar 4th 2010 12:39PM
@Fiona Dudley
"The point of creating a code of ethics that spills over into the real world is trust."
I agree 100-percent. My issue with Mr. Agrelli's project is that bringing an element of coercion (such as the promise of free coffee) somewhat undermines the concept of a voluntary ethics. If you want to get theological, I think this is related to matters of faith (c.f. Kierkegaard's 'Fear and Trembling'). Do we subscribe to moral and ethical systems (and modulate our actions accordingly) because we believe they are right, or because we don't want to incur the wrath of God/our community?
My question is: if Agrelli wants to build a community based on trust, why does he feel the need to incentivize? His project becomes murky if his goal for creating 'rewards' for members is simply more members. As you pointed out in your post, "It is E-BUSINESS." Faith in others wanting to do good for others is not compatible with quid pro quos or quasi-altruistic marketing schemes, in my opinion. The ethical person walks in the crosswalk because they believe it's right to, not because they're afraid of getting a citation -- or because they get a cookie if they do.
I've wondered how this would work once implemented with businesses. A non-Partenope City member sees another person get a free coffee, or whatever.
You: "Why'd they get free coffee?"
Owner: "Because they pledged to live by a system of deontological ethics."
You: "Sign me up!"
Or -- Partenope City may become a group of moral superiority and high-horsery. Can you be banned from Partenope City? Who arbitrates? Will they not let in people with a history of jaywalking, or of conduct unbecoming to a civilized gentleman? Who decides?
I do apologize if my post came across as too dismissive of altruism in its edited form. The problem is that competitive marketplaces make unselfish behavior rather difficult, as a rule. (Not on an individual level, necessarily.) I suppose my overall suggestion to Agrelli would be: why not drop the rewards cards? If the project is really about getting people who care about doing the right thing with no back scratching in return, there ought to be no need for incentives.