I think a conversation exploring the "decline in Hackerspaces" I predicted for 2010 is warranted, separate from the discussion on Kids in spaces. So here's a new thread.<br><br>I like what Adam Bachman said:<br>
<br>"<span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse;">I
agree. That's what happens when you get a
massive publicity push like the HS movement got in '08 and '09 (the
co-working movement in the USA is seeing this too, by the way). Articles
in every publication and a lot of overexcited folks getting too deep
into a medium sized weekend project (signing a lease and donating old
electronics) before considering the long term commitment."</span><br><br>There's also the Benelux area which is just ramping up--and given what members of that community have pulled off recently (i.e. HAR, BruCon, etc.) and what they're planning (Multiple Hackerspace Membership), there's proof that there are many areas whose enthusiasm has not yet peaked.<br>
<br>All that being said, I strongly believe in building for sustainability--hence, why I emphasized corporations, insurance, etc. when we started out with this several years ago. What sorts of things are your hackerspaces doing to keep up enthusiasm or strive towards "being here tomorrow"?<br>
<br><br clear="all">Nick Farr / <a href="http://nickfarr.org/" target="_blank">http://nickfarr.org</a> / 8B13F204<br>Washington, DC,
20013-1208<br>P: +1 (707) 676-FARR<br>F: +1 (866) 536-2616<br>Sent from
Washington, DC, United States
<br><br><br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 04:06, Koen Martens <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:gmc@sonologic.nl" target="_blank">gmc@sonologic.nl</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>On Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 11:48:18AM -0500, Nick Farr (<a href="http://hackerspaces.org" target="_blank">hackerspaces.org</a>) wrote:<br>
> And, granted, this is simply my opinion. As a sociologist, I'm seeing<br>
> the kinds of disagreements and arguments we're having as signs that a<br>
> corner has turned for the worse. We had a rapid period of growth, and<br>
> it appears that 2010 will be the year when there will be more spaces<br>
> folding than opening. Not reaching out, moving on, expanding and<br>
> looking for new opportunities (i.e. engaging kids) just makes my<br>
> prediction more likely.<br>
<br>
</div>Perhaps the US is ahead of us in that regard, but I see none of that in<br>
my own region (Benelux). The Netherlands is seeing initiatives being<br>
deployed, belgium is rapidly gaining hackerspaces and Luxembourg is (for<br>
me at least) a big inspiration.<br>
<br>
Who knows, maybe in a few years we'll face the abyss the US hackerspaces<br>
are apparently facing. But for now, hackerspaces are go over here!<br>
<br>
Gr,<br>
<br>
Koen<br>
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K.F.J. Martens, Sonologic, <a href="http://www.sonologic.nl/" target="_blank">http://www.sonologic.nl/</a><br>
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