Dear Michel, Everyone, Thank you for your quick reply. I was unaware that there is a real 'non-technical' community concerned with these issues, which is -not- primarily trying to fight the lobbyists in Brussels, Washington or elsewhere. Dmytri Kleiner, whom I met in Berlin, wrote the Telekommunist Manifesto<http://networkcultures.org/wpmu/weblog/2010/10/21/the-telekommunist-from-dmytri-kleiner-is-out-now/>which explores the fundamental difference between centralised and distributed architecture in relation to economy and inter-human relations. I read Doug's article and agree - and I am glad to see that the opposition between capital and a truly distributed architecture is stressed. The really explosive bit in my opinion is that the same concept can also be applied on the economic, social and 'political' level. In a truly distributed system, you need no 'master' but you can establish real co-operation and sustainability (in its actual sense [not Corporate Social Responsability etc.]), which is a real alternative/threat to the dominant paradigm. In regard to the next steps... 1.) Wiki Integration I want to make sure that all the information contained in the concept is properly integrated into the wiki, so that it has its own page and/or (probably more importantly) is integrated into and linked from other articles dealing with specific issues. It is important to me that the information is actually made useful. Therefore, I ask for someone to provide me guidance/help on how to best achieve this and wikify this information. 2.) Starfish purpose Clearly, 'Starfish' is just my modest compilation/contribution to the overall goal, but it(s contents) might also serve as an overarching mission statement and provide a framework, if accepted by the community. As I have said, I have no expert technical capacities, but I sensed a lack of regard for the 'big picture' and social importance/implications in the general hacker community I am aware of. Furthermore, it is (another) call for more awareness/collaboration and a common purpose in related projects. I decided to compile 'Starfish' last May, as I first had the idea two years beforehand but nothing of real impact had happened in the meantime. I should also mention that the information technology aspect is only part of my interests and actually another 'bit' of the big picture I have. My main interest lies with the people at large and thus the analysis of the underlying structure of society and the development/implementation of concepts which can bring true sustainability and quality of life for all humans in accordance with the ecosystem. 3.) Publication Once the concept is integrated into the wiki and can be adapted/expanded/linked by the community, I guess more awareness of the fact that some people (me among others) are really concerned with the big picture and socio-economic repercussions would be appropriate. I would also stress the inherent nature of and opposition to the current structure of society. 4.) Newsletter/Further Contribution I would certainly be happy to write something for your blog/newsletter. As I mentioned, I am especially interested in the holistic/integrated view of the big picture. I would also be willing to write about the various aspects and possibilities of distributed networks as I see it. Do any of you maybe have a proposal on how to structure such a series or how long/extensive each article should be? Please tell me what you think... I am looking forward to collaborating with you :-) Kind regards, Raffael On 18 January 2011 15:58, Michel Bauwens <[email protected]> wrote:
http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:P2P_Infrastructure ; http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:Technology; http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:Standard
Dear Raffael:
your initiative is very timely, since after Wikileaks there has been a fast-growing recognition of the need for a 'true internet' (as doug wrote recently in shareable)
I'm not a techie myself, and our community is not a hacker community, but it seems to me from reading/scanning your document, that you have thought through many implications, and have an integrated understanding of what needs to happen.
What we can do is help you publicize, as our wiki is well consulted, and our blog is a top 2% retweeted blog globally,
Perhaps you could consider a series, technically sound but for laypeople, for the blog, and you can use our wiki for more detailed technical articles. We just created http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:P2P_Infrastructure to monitor specifically distributed projects. It seems to me that a detailed mapping of what is already there, what needs to be done, would be very useful to the larger community, and perhaps it will coalesce at some point in funding possibilities. I also would applaud any regular newsletter which monitors progress on the realization of such a 'true internet' ..
Please feel free to update: http://p2pfoundation.net/Project_Starfish
Perhaps you recognize some of the names in cc, Sepp is our own 'pointman' for reporting on distributed projects,
Michel
On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 2:12 PM, Raffael Kemenczy <[email protected]>wrote:
Dear Mr Bauwens,
After having compiled a concept on how to enable the creation of a world-wide user-controlled network based on a distributed architecture and presenting it to people at the Chaos Communication Conference last december (Project Starfish <http://kemenczy.at/index.php/starfish> (Concept<http://kemenczy.at/files/Starfish%20Concept.pdf>/ Video <http://bit.ly/hkjO4Q>)), I was referred to your P2P Foundation as a point to share the information I have collected. I would kindly ask you to look through the concept, which focuses on the social and psychological aspects and possibilities of such a distributed network, while also giving information on technological issues. I am currently looking for the best way to further share/publish this information and find collaborators to continue to work on the concept and especially its realisation, as my personal technical and financial capabilities are limited. I see the production of actual user-controlled hardware able of establishing a distributed network without the help of any companies or institutions as a vital part of the process.
I am looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
Raffael Kéménczy
-- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net
Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://listcultures.org/mailman/listinfo/p2presearch_listcultures.org
Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens
Think tank: http://www.asianforesightinstitute.org/index.php/eng/The-AFI