Data Driven Activism

The Rebel's Notebook is a data-driven way to learn from history and support you in making the right choices for your case. The system is trained on tried-and-true tactics from over a thousand struggles before yours. I've dug through the data of history's underdogs; the marches, the boycotts, the sit-ins, to find what works.

Though this can never be more than a supportive tool in your arsenal, activism is just too complex and specific, it will hopefully give you an edge in fighting overwhelmingly powerful systems, corporations and governments.

A method from the kit

011 Records Radio And Television

011 Records Radio And Television
Success rate 54%
Average rating 7.1/10
Usage frequency 157 cases

"Under certain conditions records, radio and television themselves become instruments of nonviolent protest and persuasion. Phonograph records may convey ideas through...

You are not alone: Explore global Tactics

A story you should know

Guatemalans Refuse To Serve In Civil Patrols, 1988-1993

From 1961 to 1996 Guatemalans endured a bloody civil war. During this conflict the military-controlled government fought the leftist guerillas or the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG). These groups fought each other for political control. The extreme violence pushed many indigenous...

Ready to build your plan?

The stories are endless, the methods are proven. But this is about your fight. Move from inspiration to action with the strategic planner. As you make changes to your plan like; pinning a key tactic, excluding another, or giving feedback; the Notebook's machine learning system instantly reassess everything. Pinning a method you believe in tells the system, "This is important," and it will immediately find other actions that work well with it. This creates a "ripple effect" across your entire plan, helping you optimize your strategy holistically and ensuring every action you take hit harder.

Standing on the shoulders of giants

I didn't build this alone. This notebook is powered by the tireless work of researchers, historians, and fellow activists. Here are some of the giants whose work you should know.

Global Nonviolent Action Database
The bedrock of this project. A team at Swarthmore College painstakingly documented over 1,400 struggles, creating the most comprehensive record of nonviolent action in the world. Their data gives us the patterns; I help you apply them.
The NAVCO Database
The academic muscle. The NAVCO project is a massive research effort that directly compares violent and nonviolent campaigns. Their data provides the hard proof that strategic, nonviolent action isn't just moral—it's more effective.
The Commons Social Change Library
An open-source library for campaigners. They collect and distribute an incredible range of resources—from guides on running meetings to deep dives on movement strategy. An essential bookmark for any organizer.
Forensic Architecture
The investigators of power. Forensic Architecture is a research agency that uses architectural techniques to investigate human rights violations by states and corporations. They use 3D modeling, virtual reality, and open-source data to reconstruct events and build cases for international courts and civil society groups.
WITNESS.org
The eyes on the ground. WITNESS helps activists around the world use video and technology to document the truth and fight for justice. They provide the tools and training to turn raw footage into powerful evidence.
Waging Nonviolence
A daily source of news and analysis about social movements around the world. They tell the stories of struggles as they happen, offering strategy and reflection from the people on the ground.