[agrandis]

I think the idea is that the 20,000 pledgers are the original number. Once they are in the selected state, they hope to be an influence, and grow their number within that state. Also, once other likeminded people in other states see the first gargantuan step made, perhaps they will be emboldened to participate as well.

The revolutionaries that founded America were very much a minority at the start of the ordeal. Most of the colonists knew that it was for future generations that the sacifices would have to be made (rather than for any short-term gain), and that tends to go against human nature.

Also, as you pointed out, even 20,000 people can make a significant, local political impact. The hope is that impact would snowball. You might think of the original 20,000 as a seed.

I don't know yet whether I am willing to get on the team, but I applaud the idea, and admire the action being taken to try to make it come to fruition.

[Poohbah]

That's the problem: 20,000 would have a local impact. The only candidates for said experiment are states with very low population densities. Said low densities of inhabitation tend to occur for very valid reasons (in the US, it is almost always because of a lack of water). Achieving some sort of statewide impact would require the 20,000 to move into areas of scarce water resources (as in all water is 100% allocated to existing users). That is unlikely to endear the 20,000 to their neighbors, and is likely to be a negative influence on the attitudes.