My upcoming projects

Just as a sort of note for myself, and maybe for people who are interested to help, here are some ideas that I'll hopefully be working on over the next few months:

Blogging the old diaries

The new generation of Iranian, those who were born after the revolution, are more after individual and social freedoms, and economic well-being, rather than political openness. But since they've never seen Iran in the mid 1970s when Iranians have the highest amount of social freedom and economic well-being, they have low expectations and as a result no will or effort to change the status quo, and thus, the political apathy.

I'll try to find some diaries written by the young Iranians at the time (1970s) which would illustrate the way Iranians used to live and think, and get them published in a few blogs, day by day, entry by entry.

Dialogue between American and Persian blogs

A small team can search for similar themes in Persian and American blogs, translate the Persian posts to English, and post them in a blog with two opposing columns: one for posts in English by American blogs, and one for posts in Persian about the similar issue or piece of news.

Project Iran-Israel friendship

In an article in Persian, a few months ago, I explained why in the long-run Iran and Israel could -- and perhaps should -- be the best allies in the Arab-dominated region of middle east. Now to back it up, Given the total lack of information that the two side have about one another -- especially Iranians about Israelis, I'll to try to find some Iranian-Israelis who can blog in Persian from Israel about their ordinary lives and observations.

This could only be a start which could later be followed by a number of similar Internet-based projects to provide a better understanding about the two societies and to eventually bring them closer.

Wiki-powered textbooks for Iranian high school students

The enormous power of Wikis could be exploited in providing some independently and collectively produced textbooks for high school students in Iran. Those books can later be printed and used by parents, who do not agree with the content of the official ministry of education textbooks, as alternatives in a couple of sensitive subjects such as History, Social Studies, etc.

Blogging Awards

Most of blogging awards have been about blogs in different categories. But since the Iranian blogosphere more or less suffers from quality posts on different areas, I believe a competition in which different posts from different blogs would be evaluated in various categories such as socio-political commentary, art and entertainment, literature, reporting and investigative, independent journalism, satire, etc. would be a big encouragement to more serious bloggers and could attract new talented writers.

Promoting photoblogs

Many Iranians can not read or write in English very well. Thus the best way they can show the world how they live their lives, in a direct and unmediated way, is by using photoblogs. The rapidly growing market for digital cameras in Iran and the rise of free photo hosting services could pave the way, as well as particular projects and awards.