New work from UC Berkeley:

Opinion Space is an experimental new system for visualizing opinions and exchanging ideas. It encourages people to express their opinions and lets them visualize where they stand relative to the diversity of other viewpoints. A new rating model highlights the most insightful responses and participants.

Mark Twain:

When an entirely new and untried political project is sprung upon the people, they are startled, anxious, timid, and for a time they are mute, reserved, noncommittal. The great majority of them are not studying the new doctrine and making up their minds about it, they are waiting to see which is going to be the popular side.

It is desire to be in the swim that makes political parties.

Always remember:

There are 260 million people in America, and you are one of them.