ISS Membership

An action is the perfection and publication of thought.

A community of writers, thinkers, singers, performers, artists, activists; a collective of individuals whose talents can be enhanced by contact with other creativity; a noble idea, at once poetic and practical. Such groups have periodically surfaced, and have served as the cadres, the energetic nuclei, of art’s most influential moments and movements.

Geniuses are ferments; and when they come together as they have done in certain lands at certain times, the whole population seems to share in the higher energy which they awaken.

Paris in the early decades of the twentieth century, New England in the mid-1800s, Florence in the late 15th century, Athens 2500 years ago: artistically, socially, and intellectually revolutionary, each of these settings bears witness to James’ statement. However, while genius flowered in those places, it did just that—it flowered in those places. In the past, contact required proximity, community required closeness.

Standing upon the threshold of the 21st century, however, we have the technology and opportunity to develop an international collective for creative individuals. We can thus cultivate an intellectual and artistic garden with genius and talent which are flowering the world over. The result of such a garden? Individuals who might otherwise have lacked critical and enthusiastic support, who might have benefited from the energy generated by other creative minds, sadly absent. Those individuals will be able to find and draw upon a sympathetic community. That is the thought.

The International Soapbox Society is the publication, potentially the perfection of such a thought. Members, desirous of the opportunity for self-expression and respectful of others’ voices, belong to a collective of individual talents. Neither the limits of location, category, nor classification—history’s great dividers—need no longer inhibit creative minds from close contact with one another.

Opportunities abound: whether a person seeks feedback or inspiration, contests or collaborations, the I.S.S. can provide such a forum. This association can encourage and energize members in their attempts to awaken local populations.

Isolation to Interaction: The I.S.S., while providing an online forum, is also committed to putting people in front of the ultimate affirmation—an audience. With this in mind, the First Annual International Soapbox Festival is being planned. Members from around the world are invited St. Louis, MO, April 27-29, 2001. St. Louis, the intersection of America’s great rivers and highways, once considered the Gateway to the West, will serve as Gateway to the Future, as members gather in the city’s historic Soulard district.

The streets of Soulard will be lined with soapboxes—small one-person stages—from which members can orate, sing, juggle, peddle, evangelize, and otherwise share their talents. Attendance will be open to all. As such, the audience will be as diverse as the members being showcased. The Festival, by placing I.S.S. members before an audience, will enable Soapboxers to "globalize their localities." In other words, members have the opportunity to demonstrate their goods, talents, services, and ideas before a new market. Meanwhile, they have the ability to meet, encourage, and learn from others similarly committed to self-expression, others active in "the perfection and publication of thought."

Limited to members, however, will be an inaugural Renaissance Ball Friday, April 27 and the First Annual DiMBy Awards for Excellence in Poetry Sunday, April 29. Additional information on both the International Soapbox Society and the First Annual International Soapbox Festival will be available at www.dimbyville.com as more arrangements become finalized.