[ELECTRON] International Womens Day Film Screening at the Electron Club

[Andrew Back]

Bob makes some very good points here. Furthermore, people seem to easily
forget who has given this amazing, permanent space to the EC. It is only
there by the grace of the CCA - an organisation which must be seen to be
inclusive and to provide a vehicle for individuals and groups that seek to
challenge traditional views. So, if the space spends too much time sitting
empty, or becomes too conservative, we run the risk of the CCA putting the
space to another use.

Core EC activities should take precedence over those with a more tenuous
link to its stated goals, but I've not heard of people failing to get in to
do a spot of soldering, because it's always booked with people showing films
or similar. 

It is unfortunate if the politics of one group of EC users clashes with
those of another. But I don't see any evidence of those who sit more to the
left winging about those with more conservative views using the space,
and so it is entirely unfair and wholly inappropriate for the reverse to
happen. Live and let live. Get over it. If you're not interested - tune out.
Furthermore, sarcy comments, even when made with the best intentions, run
the risk of inflaming the situation. 

Something that more recent users may also be unaware of, is that much of the
effort and donations that went into setting the space up came from groups
that might be viewed as political or on the periphery of stated EC goals. So
this is a bit like being invited to dinner and complaining that the food
stinks and that your hosts have a terrible taste in decor.

Having learned of the difficulty of groups in London and other places who
are trying to tun Hackspaces, you don't know how lucky you are. With people
paying a 20/month membership to access a tiny space and it still not
breaking even etc. Plus all the hassle of having to manage funds, have a
treasurer, a board and so on.

Lastly, if you really cannot abide being involved with a group/space that is
inclusive and tries to work to ideals shared with the CCA, you are always
free to set up another space or group that is exclusive and has a more
monotheistic agenda.

Cheers,

Andrew


On (20:23 01/03/10), Bob wrote:
> Why are you so hung up on "valid connections" As Simon has made it clear 
> before we are not restricted in what the room is used for. We welcome all 
> sorts even comedians and people with different points of view. I wish there 
> was more techy things happening around the club, but folk seem more 
> comfortable at home with their lap-tops it would seem. Make it happen 
> people or something else will. There is plenty space for everyone. If folk 
> want to do computer/leccie stuff they can have priority of the club room. 
> If not something else will happen. Its an art gallery, thats what happens 
> in art galleries. All art is valid and there are no borders. Reclaim the 
> Common Good and long live the revolution against mediocrity. Bob
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Gordon JC Pearce wrote:
> >On Mon, 2010-03-01 at 18:58 +0000, Marion Hersh wrote:
> >
> >>When there was an Earth First group in Glasgow I was involved in it.  My
> >>experience was of a group of gentle people rather than vandals and
> >>bullies and opposition to the inappropriate use of technology, not
> >>technology per se.
> >
> >I'm still struggling to see any valid connection between Electron Club
> >and *any* kind of political activism.
> >
> >Gordon MM0YEQ
> >
> >
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-- 
Andrew Back
a at smokebelch.org