Re: [57north-discuss] 57N taking political positions
I'm very much in two minds about this. I have real reservations where overtly political posts are made on behalf of the space, particularly where a consensus of opinion hasn't first been reached. As has already been pointed out, this can serve to exclude existing or potential members who may hold differing opinions. While hackerspaces will often tend to attract those of a more liberal / libertarian mindset, it's by no means guaranteed or expected. Even within such a group, I would still expect individuals to hold a variety of different opinions. _However_ It's a stated purpose of the space (from the articles) to ... promote and support the use and development of free and open technologies, standards, ideas, hardware and software for the benefit of all, and I don't believe this only applies to those activities which take place within the 4 walls of the space. There's already an evangelical aspect to what we do already with our various outreach projects, workshops etc. So - what I'm suggesting is that tweets from @57NorthHacklab should focus more on those topics which directly further our stated aims ( https://github.com/hackerdeen/articles, section 5). Where a topic is more closely aligned with ORG / EFF / whatever, then they're probably best expressed either under that umbrella or using the member's own account. Where there are topics (such as the data retention post?), which might be a bit out-of-scope, but still of general interest to the group, then I'm happy enough to see them (re-)tweeted, but maybe with a more neutral commentary. Cheers, Calum On 10 July 2014 22:34, Calum Enterobsidian enterobsid...@hotmail.com wrote: I agree with Rob on this issue, the space as an organisation should not have a stance on anything that does not affect the space directly. if we choose to go down the route of supporting/opposing drafts, this may put people off joining the space, as they believe that the space is not a place to come and play with things, but a political activist group. It's acceptable for space members and directors to have opinions. They made be radical, but they are allowed to voice them as they wish within reason. This should, however, not colour the space and it's decisions in any way. *=If it's not broken, take it to bits until it is - EnterobsidianThis is a NSA and GCHQ proof email - Content so boring that no one will read it. * ___ 57north-discuss mailing list 57north-discuss@lists.57north.co http://lists.57north.co/listinfo/57north-discuss ___ 57north-discuss mailing list 57north-discuss@lists.57north.co http://lists.57north.co/listinfo/57north-discuss
Re: [57north-discuss] 57N taking political positions
On Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 09:24:13PM +0100, Robert McWilliam wrote: As much as I might agree with the sentiment I'd rather the space wasn't taking a stance on any political issues. I think being as apolitical as possible[1] is the only way to be inclusive. Two of the directors of the space are on the Open Rights Group Supporter Council. We have run cryptoparties. We have organised cryptography related workshops. The space took a stance on these issues a long time ago. Iain. -- e: i...@fsfe.orgw: iain.learmonth.me x: i...@jabber.fsfe.org t: +447875886930 c: MM6MVQ g: IO87we p: 1F72 607C 5FF2 CCD5 3F01 600D 56FF 9EA4 E984 6C49 pgptS7lFPaAFv.pgp Description: PGP signature ___ 57north-discuss mailing list 57north-discuss@lists.57north.co http://lists.57north.co/listinfo/57north-discuss
Re: [57north-discuss] 57N taking political positions
Sorry top posting. I agree with Rob, im not really happy with that twitter post and ones that would be similar. On 10 Jul 2014 21:50, Robert McWilliam r...@allmail.net wrote: On Thu, Jul 10, 2014, at 09:28 PM, Iain R. Learmonth wrote: On Thu, Jul 10, 2014 at 09:24:13PM +0100, Robert McWilliam wrote: As much as I might agree with the sentiment I'd rather the space wasn't taking a stance on any political issues. I think being as apolitical as possible[1] is the only way to be inclusive. Two of the directors of the space are on the Open Rights Group Supporter Council. And three of the directors work for Aberdeen University - have we taken a stance to agree with Aberdeen University? What 57N collectively does/agrees with/says is different from what individual or groups of members or directors do. We have run cryptoparties. We have organised cryptography related workshops. I see a big difference between sharing information on technology (part of the founding purpose of the space) and campaigning on political issues. Robert -- Robert McWilliam r...@allmail.netwww.ormiret.com Disclaimer: Opinions cited by me are not necessarily my opinions. Facts cited by me are not necessarily facts. ___ 57north-discuss mailing list 57north-discuss@lists.57north.co http://lists.57north.co/listinfo/57north-discuss ___ 57north-discuss mailing list 57north-discuss@lists.57north.co http://lists.57north.co/listinfo/57north-discuss
Re: [57north-discuss] 57N taking political positions
I agree with Rob on this issue, the space as an organisation should not have a stance on anything that does not affect the space directly. if we choose to go down the route of supporting/opposing drafts, this may put people off joining the space, as they believe that the space is not a place to come and play with things, but a political activist group. It's acceptable for space members and directors to have opinions. They made be radical, but they are allowed to voice them as they wish within reason. This should, however, not colour the space and it's decisions in any way. = If it's not broken, take it to bits until it is - Enterobsidian This is a NSA and GCHQ proof email - Content so boring that no one will read it. ___ 57north-discuss mailing list 57north-discuss@lists.57north.co http://lists.57north.co/listinfo/57north-discuss
