I understand and generally think that paid groups would be great to eliminate the sort of mess that they have at myspace, and also turn a profit.

But i have a couple of notions churning in my head.

First, payment for participation would be kinda be like regulation. I mean why can't we allow good ideas to prosper and bad ideas to fade into obscurity on their own merit? people with a good reputation, lots of friends and associates, and a good idea will have a successful group. they will promote it via their friends list and on their profile and even put a link in their signature to spread the message. When they have good insight and speak knowledgeably, and comport themselves in a respectable manner, people will be compelled to look into their group. When people who fail to network properly, are poorly received, have bad ideas, etc their group will fail. The same popularity function used for threads and content and a search function can be used to help people weed through the clutter.

My second point. I do not have a credit card, and I don't have a bank card. I dont want the Government having access to my funds, or financial information on a whim, or monitoring my purchases through the records of a financial institution. So my question to you Trevor Lyman, To what address do i send my cashiers check to?? Who do i make it out to?

Or are my ideas not good enough on the premise that I dont have the means to complete an internet transaction?? That would be the default message to anyone who is in my position.

I think i would be more in favor of an approval system, where a moderator approves some kinda application for group creation. Its regulatory, as to prevent clutter, but it doesn't exclude people based on their financial arrangements. That might be a middle of the road option to be examined.

EDIT:

I'd also like to note that i could reach the same target demographic by creating a group at Freeople.com as well, theres a bit of competition, and i'm not sure if charging people wound generate revenue or drive people to other resources.

Government has solved the age old dilemma of the alchemists. In order to turn lead into gold, just add blood.

Great idea. How soon can we get it going?
Is there a way to let the freemarket decide?

Maybe the group organizer picks the setup.
Pay to join could be a set up option.
Monthly fee could be a set up option and include extra server space and a filter flag to rate your seriousness.
Percentage to the organization of choice could be an option.
BTM is a wothy organization and should take a reasonable cut esspecially it provides services that exceed Meetup.com

If I were a organizer I would like to set it up where everyone donates like $1 a month.
First three months free and the ability to wave the fee if I want.

Apps would be cool too.

I am not a web designer so I have no idea what all is involved in this proposition, but I do work in consumer products and people like options even if they never use them and customization is all the rage.

Let the free market reign.

As much as I like to indulge my cheapness, I think the paid option makes much more sense.

One thing I would suggest is, instead of keeping the money, allow the group organizer to choose one of X number of PACs, etc. to whom the money is donated. That demonstrates seriousness on the part of the organizer as well as getting money flowing into the coffers of liberty-minded organizations.

I guess the whole idea makes sense - especially as more and more people join this site.

Here is my concern: That groups become cliques - that cliques become antagonistic toward one another (for example christian v atheist, 9/11 truth vs whatever, bob barr v. chuck baldwin, etc...) and then the group leader/purchaser and all his groupies attack posts of other group's people in the regular forums and next thing you know its a flame war.

My view on this is likely tainted from my recent experience in the tax honesty discussions and the fake "group" that followed me around making my online experience less than joyful. I would hope that people would not be so childish - - but - - as anyone can join the site - - it could happen.

If flame wars did erupt, it would be kinda ironic for the site dedicated to freedom to have to create a bunch of rules and chat police and all the rest to stop it. I would note that mini wars erupted on the daily paul site on a few select occasions.

However, if my fears are deemed to be unfounded and this project goes forward, I call dibs on the cannabis/hemp legalization group (willing to share as co-owner with Miss Green) :)

Good luck,

How about you charge a nominal fee for individuals who want to start their own group at BTM? That way, you can join as many groups as you like for free, but to start your own, you'll have a fee.

-Miss Green
"Fear not the path of truth for the lack of people walking on it."