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AmericaBook, or something…

The United States of America was once a start up. Well, sort of. President Obama is currently looking for software engineers, programmers, designers, and search-engine gurus (read: people who work for Google) to become Presidential Innovation Fellows because the US Government is making a social network. From whitehouse.gov:

“This project will reimagine the relationship between the Federal Government and citizens by rapidly prototyping a streamlined, intuitive online system that Americans can use to easily access the right information and services for them from across the U.S. Government and also provide feedback about their interactive experience”

They’re calling it “MyGov,” reminiscent of those middle school days with the box computer and gigantic monitor (maybe you even had dial-up) of browsing your friend’s sparkly pink pages with Hilary Duff’s brief and limp attempt at singing (though I admit to still loving her songs…only in the car…only when I’m alone…) trying to load, oh MySpace. So the Federal Government has caught wind of this whole “social media” business, and they are looking to capitalize on it. Well, good for them. I’ll give Obama props for his use of YouTube, but I always think of the Government as an elderly grandparent who kind of understands the internet and technology, but not like we do, so we get excited and proud when they do something small like post a YouTube video.

But I realize this is a flawed way of thinking; the Federal Government is on top of their game, they know what’s up, so it’s about time they utilize the technology and reach out to citizens through it. Just be careful what you “like,” you never know who’s watching…

More Information: http://www.whitehouse.gov/innovationfellows/mygov