[-empyre-] OSW: open source writing in the network

[marc garrett]

Hi all,

Firstly, there are so many interesting leads and threads within this 
discussion to explore already. And, even though I would love to dive 
straight in and immerse myself into this dyanamic flux of shared ideas, 
I am currently restricted time-wise due to essential Furtherfield 
duties. Also, I will be here (chatting away) on Jan 23rd with Joss Hands 
and others. So, forgive me if I just jump in every now then.

I was struck by Tiziana's comment "The Internet has been 'massified' 
over the past ten years or so. Obviously 'massified' for networked 
personal media cannot mean the same thing as with broadcasting, 
industrial media, but there are undeniable processes of centralization 
and homogenization going on. It is also a corporate economy, thoroughly 
embedded in financial capital and business."

We are experiencing the 'reality' and effects of top-down orientated 
state led institutions and corporate economies, battling it out for 
control. These heirachies have no interest in actual change, especially 
in regard to human contexts, other than initiating the implementation of 
strategies where their dominance is enhanced even more, whether such 
manoeuvrings are sustainable or not. Colonizing the Internet with 
meta-frameworks where communication exists within 'officialized' 
structures. And because our (human) behaviour patterns reflect 
demonstrate clearly that systems of material, economic relations tend to 
boil down to systems and functions revolving around systems of social 
relations; these meta-platforms dominating the Internet are more likely 
to survive purely because of, as you say 'massification'. Which of 
course, is a crass strategy for hauling in a large amount of people (or 
consumers).

The production of subjectivity, is a complex thing and respect of an 
'individual's or collective' autonomy, can only be maintained through 
shared agreement and trust. If we wish to build something of shared 
value, whether this be related to aspects of publishing or any other 
creative endeavour, we need to decide why, and then how. If for example, 
we are interested in developing a context around ideas beyond 
traditional mannerisms that work on the assumption that we largely tend 
to conform to maximizing our own material self-interests above other 
things. Then, these alternative frameworks as part of their function and 
collective meaning need to openly and clearly challenge such dominating 
and socially inhereted schemes.

Just advocating or using open shared systems for publication is not 
enough. Yet, many have to self censor and conform to a kind of 'happy go 
lucky' form of pseudo 'creative industry', entrepreneurial double-speak, 
in order to be accepted within particular systems of dominance. And 
massification is one of the various factors, defining how we interact. 
Traditionally, many of the imaginative thinkers that we admire from the 
past have had support in some way or another, whether they be 
artists/writers or both. It's not a clear cut situation, it's messy. 
Lets face it, if one (or many) want to reach a wide readership; 
especially if the work is critical or sidestepping established 
hegemonies, having access to money helps. Would Marx be as well known 
and respected as he is now without the financial support of Engels? This 
was crucial in helping Marx to study, research and develop his economic 
and political theories. "Engels gave Marx the royalties of his book 
'Condition of the Working Class' in England and arranged for other 
sympathizers to make donations." 
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUengels.htm

I have much more to say but cannot right now...

wishing you well.

marc