[hackerspaces] Members v. Non-members, rights and obligations, etc.

[Dave Menninger]

> On the other hand, I fully recognize the motivations and goals of other
> hackerspaces. I don't intend to discount or disparage the type of work
> they're doing. I'm just not sure that large generalizations (beyond and
> interest in technology) or a formal taxonomy are really possible or useful.

A hacker never wants to hear that what he is doing might not be
possible or useful.

~Dave

On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 2:18 PM, Don Ankney<dankney at hackerco.de> wrote:
> You're making a strong distinction between the "classic" hackerpace and the
> "design pattern" hackerspace -- this is an artificial distinction, I think,
> for several reasons.
>
> First, most of the design patterns are simply conflict resolution techniques
> that most of us have learned in our professional lives obvious solutions to
> simple problems (hungry? Have a kitchen in your hackerspace; Too much old
> hardware lying around? Get rid of it). Are they useful enough to have
> written down? Sure. But they are hardly defining characteristics of a
> hackerspace.
>
> Semantics aside, though, I think the point you're trying to make it this:
>
> "The key distinction between a space like the L0pht and a "Design Patterns"
> Hackerspace is that the latter actively engages those outside their direct
> membership and the former exists primarily to serve its members and their
> interests."
>
> But why can't a hackerspace exist primarily to serve its members and still
> actively engage those outside the direct membership? CDC is a bit of a red
> herring here -- the secrecy is what opposes wider community activities, not
> the member-focused mission.
>
> The Black Lodge is primarily for its direct members, but we do actively
> engage and interact with a wider community. Since we're open about our
> activities, this combination is perfectly natural and works well for us. The
> distinction is artificial.
>
> I think trying to define the Hackerspaces phenomenon as a movement or
> philosophy is in itself an exercise in futility. You're going to have as
> many philosophies and motivations as you have hackerspaces.
>
> In cities like NY where a reasonable workspace is insanely expensive,
> resource pooling may be the primary motivator. I'd imagine that in parts of
> the country, the public suspicion homebrew project draw (think Boston)
> creates a need for community awareness.
>
> Based on your Defcon presentation, in DC you're providing access to
> knowledge and resources in an area where they are scarce.
>
> Seattle has none of these problems or motivations. We live in a relatively
> affluent city with where hacking technology is widely accepted and
> resources, including spaces, are available (Washington State leads the
> nation in high-tech and scientific employment -- I think we have as many
> code monkeys as baristas).
>
> Since bars and coffee shops generally frown on soldering irons, my personal
> motivation is mostly social. The lodge is a place we can hang out, drink
> beer, and build stuff -- no manifesto or higher purpose needed.
>
> On the other hand, I fully recognize the motivations and goals of other
> hackerspaces. I don't intend to discount or disparage the type of work
> they're doing. I'm just not sure that large generalizations (beyond and
> interest in technology) or a formal taxonomy are really possible or useful.
>
> -- Don
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discuss-bounces+dankney=hackerco.de at lists.hackerspaces.org
> [mailto:discuss-bounces+dankney=hackerco.de at lists.hackerspaces.org] On
> Behalf Of Nick Farr (hackerspaces.org)
> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 6:29 PM
> To: Hackerspaces General Discussion List
> Subject: [hackerspaces] Members v. Non-members, rights and obligations, etc.
>
> Great to see all of you who made it to HAR and DefCon!
>
> The great discussions I had there made me start a draft of this blog
> post I just finished:
>
> http://hackerspaces.org/blog/2009/08/19/rights-and-obligations-of-hackerspac
> e-members/
>
> I'm curious to hear your thoughts.  I'm trying to think more about
> hackerspace theory leading up to a talk I hope to submit to the 26C3.
>
> Nick Farr / http://nickfarr.org
> Washington, DC, 20013-1208 | +1 (707) 676-FARR | Fax: +1 (866)
> 536-2616 | 8B13F204
> Sent from Dallas, TX, United States
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