The BallotBoxer challenges users to a boxing game against a dynamic list of political and media figures. The outcome of each game determines the output of this website. Winners will automatically transmit emails to the inbox of the opponent they choose, say President Bush, as well as anonymously publish a corresponding blog associated with this website. The data gathered from BallotBoxer.com will reveal which political figures inspire the most public attention, in addition to the zip codes churning out the most use. Losers of the game will receive a rematch email from the site. If a desired opponent is not on the list, a nomination form will be offered to add that opponent to the list. This website is based on the physical computing project of the same name that the three of us completed last
semester - the physical project will someday visit the zip codes
logging in the most users.

The three of us are interested in the political implications of interactive media and how this changing landscape will impact the political process. All of us are interested in politics and keep up to date with the daily news and yet none of us are interested in starting our own blog.

We started out with this concept last semester with a physical computing project of the same name. That project drew on the frustrations we had with the political process; in essence we tried to recreate the blogging experience - transmitting those frustrations - without writing a blog.

Anyone frustrated with politics and its media coverage - especially those people mad enough to want to write a letter to their representation, but realize how little a gesture that is.

John/Jane Q Public reads the paper, watches the news, visits a blog or website, etc. and has a strong reaction, so they visit the Ballot Boxer site to play a boxing game against the source of that agression. To register, they enter their zip code, pick the target of their aggression, and provide a tag describing their strong reaction. They also have the option to enter a url and pen a quick message should they care to elaborate. Then John/Jane plays the game. First, a boxing bell rings, crowd noises swell and a countdown timer starts as their opponent appears before them in a boxing stance with gloves. Because the user selects a specific opponent from our list, we provide them with an opponent that has an image of that specific media or political figure's actual face (in the example, it's Harry Reid). The user targets the opponent with the mouse and clicks to throw punches. If that user wins, their tag (and refernce url and message) is sent to the opponent via email and the Ballot Boxer blog is updated with that info. John/Jane Q Public can then visit the site to enjoy their work, catch up on who else is using it and read what they're saying. Every public figure from the media or politics that we provide in our list of potential opponents will have a pseudo inbox on our site so people can visit and check what John/Jane Q Public are saying about that figure. We should add that on the registration page, we have a link that allows users to nominate opponents if they aren't on the list we provide. Also on that registration page, users are given the opportunity to enter their email address and name should they want to take credit for their contribution.

We need a 17" LCD monitor, mouse and keyboard. PC or Mac is fine. The monitor, keyboard and mouse should be on a stand approx 40" high (like the standard stands used here on the ITP floor). We will cover the table with a dark blue cloth and possibly a few props (i.e. a bowl full of American flag pins, etc.).

There is a whole new world of data visualization possibilties that will come with this site.