The following proposal was created by ChatGPT (3.5) with prompting from me. The full transcript is here. Anyone want to bring together a team of community moderators and project backers in an effort to create such a thing? Obviously, I'd be willing to participate, as a "weekend warrior" (but fundraising, recruiting, and marketing are not my strong suits ;-).

Empowering Global Citizen Science: "Stellar Skies" on Steem, the Social Blockchain

Project Overview

We propose the creation of a groundbreaking decentralized "citizen science" platform that leverages the Steem blockchain's capabilities to engage users globally in scientific initiatives. The platform will serve as a collaborative hub where enthusiasts contribute valuable data through social media posts and "custom_json" transactions, while earning rewards in the form of the STEEM cryptocurrency. Our initial pilot initiative, "Stellar Skies," focuses on empowering individuals to participate in meaningful astronomy research and characterizing darkness conditions.

Initiative Description: Stellar Skies - Characterizing Darkness Conditions

The Stellar Skies initiative has a primary focus on characterizing darkness conditions through the measurement of light pollution. Participants will document and share observations of celestial events while also evaluating the quality of their night sky based on the Bortle Scale, a widely recognized measure of light pollution. This scale ranges from Class 1 (excellent dark-sky site) to Class 9 (inner-city sky).

By engaging citizens in this initiative, we aim to not only contribute to astronomical research but also raise awareness about the impact of light pollution on our environment, human health, and our ability to enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

User Contributions: Quick and Easy Darkness Assessments
Contributing to the Stellar Skies initiative is simple and accessible to all. Observations can be submitted through the steemit.com web platform or any other blockchain front end even before the completion of a dedicated UI or mobile application. Darkness assessments can be completed in 10 minutes or less with the naked eye, requiring no specialized equipment. Participants need only a computer or smartphone to document their observations and submit their data to the Steem blockchain.

Key Features and Objectives

1. Establish a Dedicated Community: We will create a dedicated community of astronomy enthusiasts on the Steem blockchain platform, fostering a space for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
2. User-Friendly Interfaces: Our development team will design user-friendly interfaces for capturing and submitting night sky observations, ensuring accessibility and ease of use.
3. Collaborative Mapping: Participants will collaborate to map light pollution levels globally, enabling a comprehensive view of darkness conditions.
4. Educational Resources: We will develop educational resources about astronomy, light pollution, and the significance of preserving natural nightscapes, enhancing scientific literacy.
5. Curation and Rewards: Utilizing 2 million Steem Power (SP), we will implement a robust curation system to reward volunteers based on contributions and data quality.

Benefits for Steem Blockchain Stakeholders

This initiative offers substantial benefits for Steem blockchain stakeholders:

1. Enhanced Community Engagement: Supporting a "citizen science" project cultivates an engaged community, driving platform activity and user retention.
2. Global Scientific Connections: The initiative establishes connections within the global scientific community, positioning Steem as a hub for collaboration and research.
3. Promotion of Scientific Literacy: Facilitating citizen participation elevates scientific literacy, promoting understanding and interest in astronomy and environmental science.
4. Positive Public Image: Involvement in meaningful scientific endeavors enhances the blockchain's reputation and commitment to social impact.
5. Showcase of Innovation: The initiative showcases the Steem blockchain's technical capabilities, attracting attention from diverse sectors.
6. Alignment with Sustainability: Addressing light pollution aligns with global sustainability efforts, reflecting the platform's dedication to impactful causes.
7. Collaboration Opportunities: Partnerships with educational institutions, astronomy associations, and environmental organizations amplify the initiative's impact.

Similar Initiatives: Reference to "Globe at Night"

The Stellar Skies initiative draws inspiration from the "Globe at Night" project, which also focuses on measuring light pollution levels and preserving the beauty of the night sky through global citizen participation.

Technical Infrastructure and Development

Collaborating with an experienced team, we will integrate with the Steem blockchain, develop data storage mechanisms, design user interfaces, and ensure seamless functionality.

Budget

We anticipate an estimated budget of $100,000 to $300,000 for the technical infrastructure development, including outsourcing costs for development, UI/UX design, testing, and project management. Additional ongoing operational costs may include community management, marketing, and maintenance.

Steem Power (SP) Allocation

In addition to the budget for technical development, an allocation of 2 million Steem Power (SP) is essential to ensure effective curation and rewards distribution within the initiative. Steem Power enables us to direct rewards to volunteers based on their contributions and data quality. To safeguard against potential security risks, the project's curation account will implement multisig authentication, enhancing protection against unauthorized access. It is important to note that Steem Power can be withdrawn and sold at a later stage, making it distinct from consulting costs. The allocation of 2 million Steem Power for curation purposes will be managed transparently within the project.

Community Support and Delegation

We also encourage project backers to consider supporting the initiative by delegating Steem Power (SP) to enhance the project's curation capabilities and overall impact. Delegated Steem Power enables the project to have a wider reach and rewards contributors for their valuable efforts.

Timeline

• Technical Infrastructure Development: 12-18 weeks
• User Onboarding and Engagement: 9-12 weeks
• Data Validation and Quality Control: 6-9 weeks
• Educational Resources Development: 9-12 weeks
• Testing and Iteration: 12-18 weeks
• Launch and Promotion: 6-9 weeks
• Ongoing Community Building, Partnerships, and Outreach: Ongoing

Note: Some activities can be completed concurrently to optimize project efficiency.

Potential Problems and Challenges

Despite our comprehensive planning, potential challenges may arise, including:

• Technical Hurdles: Complexities in integrating with the Steem blockchain and ensuring smooth functionality.
• User Engagement: Ensuring sustained participation and engagement over the long term.
• Data Quality: Maintaining accurate and high-quality data submissions from diverse contributors.
• Regulatory and Ethical Considerations: Addressing legal and ethical considerations in different jurisdictions.
• Budget Variability: Fluctuations in costs, cryptocurrency valuations, and unforeseen expenses.
• Competition for Attention: Standing out in a competitive blockchain ecosystem and retaining user interest.

Conclusion

Our "Stellar Skies" initiative harnesses the power of Steem, the Social Blockchain, to engage a global community in meaningful scientific endeavors. By launching with the focus on characterizing darkness conditions, we aim to showcase the platform's potential and pave the way for future expansion into diverse scientific domains. We invite stakeholders, investors, and Steem community members to contribute to the initiative through financial support, technical expertise, and knowledge sharing. Join us to promote education, collaboration, and scientific discovery on a decentralized platform.

For inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to discuss the proposal, please contact @remlaps on the Steem blockchain.

Also, here are some other scientific domains that ChatGPT said might be opportunities for future expansion:

List of Possible Citizen Science Initiatives

1. Stellar Skies - Characterizing Darkness Conditions: Engage individuals in documenting night sky conditions and measuring light pollution using the Bortle Scale.
2. Night Sky Astronomy Tracking: Monitor celestial events and meteorological conditions from various locations around the world.
3. Environmental Monitoring and Conservation: Gather data on air quality, water pollution, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.
4. Climate Change Monitoring: Track temperature, precipitation, and other climate-related factors globally.
5. Wildlife Tracking and Behavior: Observe and record animal behaviors, migration patterns, and habitat usage.
6. Crowd-Review of Academic Documents: Perform crowd-review of academic papers on preprint servers like arXiv or medRXiv, contributing to scientific quality control and validation.

Update: The proposal and transcript were both updated on Aug. 6 @ 20:27 (US/Eastern).

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Thank you for your time and attention.

As a general rule, I up-vote comments that demonstrate "proof of reading".

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Steve Palmer is an IT professional with three decades of professional experience in data communications and information systems. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a master's degree in computer science, and a master's degree in information systems and technology management. He has been awarded 3 US patents.

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^{Pixabay license, source}

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