[hackerspaces] Discussing/Alleviating the Decline (was: Children in hackerspaces.)

[Nick Farr (hackerspaces.org)]

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.

I like what Adam Bachman said:

"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."

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.

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"?


Nick Farr / http://nickfarr.org / 8B13F204
Washington, DC, 20013-1208
P: +1 (707) 676-FARR
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Sent from Washington, DC, United States




On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 04:06, Koen Martens <gmc at sonologic.nl> wrote:

> On Thu, Jan 28, 2010 at 11:48:18AM -0500, Nick Farr (hackerspaces.org)
> wrote:
> > And, granted, this is simply my opinion.  As a sociologist, I'm seeing
> > the kinds of disagreements and arguments we're having as signs that a
> > corner has turned for the worse.  We had a rapid period of growth, and
> > it appears that 2010 will be the year when there will be more spaces
> > folding than opening.  Not reaching out, moving on, expanding and
> > looking for new opportunities (i.e. engaging kids) just makes my
> > prediction more likely.
>
> Perhaps the US is ahead of us in that regard, but I see none of that in
> my own region (Benelux). The Netherlands is seeing initiatives being
> deployed, belgium is rapidly gaining hackerspaces and Luxembourg is (for
> me at least) a big inspiration.
>
> Who knows, maybe in a few years we'll face the abyss the US hackerspaces
> are apparently facing. But for now, hackerspaces are go over here!
>
> Gr,
>
> Koen
>
> --
> K.F.J. Martens, Sonologic, http://www.sonologic.nl/
> Networking, hosting, embedded systems, unix, artificial intelligence.
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