[hackerspaces] Hackerspaces talk at BIL? and... definitions/words

[Philippe Langlois]

Core Members....

I have to say something about this:

The definition of "core members" sounds elitist to me, and to  
numerous others who expressed astonishment each time this concept has  
been said relating to the hackerspaces "movement".

As you may have heard, Jaromil expressed strongly that no hackerspace  
in the world should be left out of something that wishes to be as  
comprehensive as possible as the book on hackerspaces. This issue is  
related.

I believe that defining rings, that is "inner" and "outer", "core"  
and "fringe" has a natural tendency to generate feeling of belonging  
or not. And as such, may generate feelings of not belonging for some  
who have their place in this community.

Why not use the term "founder" of hackerspaces.net then if you want  
to mark a difference? That would be maybe better.

I use the word maybe here because to me, hacking is universal, does  
not really look at who was first or oldest but who does what and how  
well and how beautifully. Thus, there should be no marking of who  
were first or last. Actually, who cares about being first or last in  
hacking?

Another thing was about opening jabber conferences and then,  
suddenly, "oh wow, wait, before we must check with the other core  
members". This sounds to me too much like a cathedral, and i think  
hackers prefer bazaar ;-)
So I think here a less "core" and a more "decentralized" approach is  
good. Otherwise people will look at the "stars" of hackerspaces.net  
and maybe think "Oh... _they_ did it. Wow!" and not see the point  
that hackerspaces can be started anywhere by anybody.

I would then believe that dropping the whole "core member" thing  
would be very beneficial to the community, and help every hackerspace  
in the world understand that this movement is as much their movement  
as the one of other members, founder or not.

Best,
Philippe.

On 05 Jan 2009, at 19:36, astera wrote:
> Hey everyone,
>
> unfortunately, I'll be in Washington DC that week.
>
> On 05.01.2009, at 19:25, Lukas Fittl wrote:
>>
>> I would still love to have guys from other hackerspaces on board
>> though, as diversity is one of the key aspects of the hackerspaces
>> movement (as I see it, at least).
>
> Exactly.
> Since no other core member will be able to make it due to Shmoocon
> (though I'd love to see Bre, Nick or Eric taking part in a panel like
> that), I'd suggest to ask Jake or Mitch - if they're gonna be on the
> West Coast then, that is!
>
> Cheers,
> /astera
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