[FC-discuss] FreeCulture.org is now Students for Free Culture

[Gavin Baker]

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Elizabeth Stark wrote:
> So IIRC you're no longer a formal student. Do you think that your role
> in this organization should be lessened as a result?

Yes, and this is why I'm leaving:
http://www.gavinbaker.com/2007/09/29/comments-on-the-freecultureorg-draft-bylaws/
(at the bottom)

The organization should welcome my advice and assistance where
warranted, but it no longer exists to serve me. It's for students.

> I completely disagree in not having the org more open to non-official
> students. Our group at Harvard and here in Boston has always welcomed
> whoever is interested in getting involved with free culture-related
> issues, and happily so. That doesn't mean that we haven't done
> campus-specific projects (we have), but we've also been able to build
> a network of people around the area interested in free culture, which
> is an extremely valuable resource.

The question is obviously not binary, but one of degree: "how open?". As
I said, I think students should be the priority for our organizing,
identity, and message.

> On 10/2/07, Gavin Baker <gavin at freeculture.org> wrote:
> Elizabeth Stark wrote:
>>>> We've actually worked quite successfully in Boston *with* students and
>>>> in universities as well as *beyond* academia. While it probably makes
>>>> sense at this point to be primarily university chapter-focused, I
>>>> don't see why others can't get involved.
> Chapters absolutely can outreach beyond their campuses. For instance, if
> a chapter hosts a CopyNight event, it _has_ to be open to everyone.
> There is generally no reason not to invite the general public to film
> screenings, events, and the like.
> 
> Similarly, Students for Free Culture will maintain solidarity with the
> free culture movement in general.
> 
> Because we organize students at college campuses doesn't mean we can
> never leave campus. But it should point to the priorities for our time,
> effort, and resources, not to mention our identity and message.
> 
>>>> I'd like to define "student"
>>>> as broadly as possible -- essentially, anyone with a willingness to
>>>> learn.
> I don't think there is much value in intentionally non-obvious
> terminology. Without denying the important role of self-learners in
> society, there is a particular social place and status of formal
> students. That status carries a number of characteristics, such that
> organizing students has particular value and is strategic in its own right.
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- --
Gavin Baker
Students for Free Culture
http://freeculture.org/
gavin at freeculture.org

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