[hackerspaces] Out with the "hackers"... In with the, "makers" and the "fixers"

[Volatile Compound]

On 11/29/11 2:50 PM, Will Bradley wrote:
> I'd like to see the hackerspace community steer clear of military stuff,
> personally.

Dammit.  And we were on target for five megawatts by mid-May, too! ;)

> If we let ourselves be involved in helping our nations'
> militaries, it's only a matter of time before the members of one
> hackerspace are responsible for the death of a member in another
> hackerspace. I'd like to think we can transcend that and work towards
> helping people do good/useful things.

Would you also suggest prohibiting active, reserve, or retired military 
personnel from attending any hackerspace-related function or event? 
After all, there's a chance that whatever they learn or do at the 
hackerspace may end up making its way back into military circles and 
resulting in someone's death.

What if someone works in, say, the small arms industry?  Should they 
also be prohibited from attending?  Should any class or event in which 
something potentially-lethal (such as firearms, electricity, or certain 
chemical substances) is being discussed be considered off-limits?

Sorry, but this is something that I just don't see as a problem.  While 
I wouldn't want to see co-opting of hackerspaces by any governmental 
agency or organ, I also wouldn't want to see that happening through 
private industry ("This hackerspace brought to you by Carl's Jr.  Carl's 
Jr.: F*** you, I'm hacking.") or disproportionate control from a private 
individual within the hackerspace.

- skroo.