*DEMlab BCN: democracy laboratory* In response to the improbable productivist « innovation » proposed by political leaders of all stripes as a solution to the crisis, Spanish youth are mobilising for major social innovation in a break with capitalism. The way forward may still be vague, but the point of departure is clear: a radical renewal of ‘actually-existing’ democracy, where utilitarianism is the basic principle, democracy is for the rich and breeds corruption, social exclusion , destruction of the environment, democracy with all its green, pink, security and magic solutions, all with technological answers as a way out of the impasse in order to ”securely” return to business as usual.
These young people have a very different reading of the world and of the fundamental crisis of civilization we are going through. Undoubtedly as surprised as anyone by the massive - and intergenerational - response to their call, they are now faced with writing a new page of history, nothing less. But they do have at least one important asset: unemcumbered by ties, they have demonstrated their capacity for initiative and innovation and their inherent desire to create. And you? and me? and all the rest of us? Where are we? Alain Ambrosi Impressions recorded on my mobile Plaza Catalunya de Barcelona from May 16 to 20 and edited by Daniel Torrico. ( DEMlab refers to the multiple "livinglabs<http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_lab>", "fablabs", "citilabs" and now a "mandalab"in Montreal which are citizen-centered innovation spaces with NTIC) -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens