[p2p-research] networks presume inequality

[Pamela McLean]

Hi MicheI

Thanks for pointing to Alexander R. Galloway's Position Paper "Exploring New
Configurations for Network Politics"
http://www.networkpolitics.org/request-for-comments/alexander-r-galloways-position-paperI
read it with interest. I respond to it from a personal perspective
that
has much to do with Internet enabled networking (and little to do with the
technical intricacies of the Internet and computer protocols and so on).
Maybe I should really have responded directly to his blog - but I'm not
registered there yet so it was easier to just respond here and on posterous
for now.

I offer a few observations from the viewpoint of one who values the Internet
for its opportunities for cross cultural collaboration. I am  intrigued by
the challenge of making it truly inclusive. I have been working practically
on many of these issues during the past ten years in projects that use the
Internet to enable collaboration between UK and people in rural Nigeria, and
similar locations (even when the Internet itself does not reach to their
locations). In this email I will not attempt to explain my thinking - but
will simply headline some issues, wondering what others are thinking.

   - In theory the Internet enables a neutral equal meeting place - and many
   of us are enjoying the opportunity to meet there and be included in ways
   that were previously not possible.
   - There are many issues around meeting as equals in this "neutral" space.
      - Physical and financial equality of access to the technology -
      distance from access points, cost of use.
      - Technical/training equality in ease of use - ability to use the
      equipment.
      - Equipment equality regarding bandwidth, processing speed, displays
      etc.
      - Cultural behavioural differences - cultural hierarchies and
      acceptable ways of joining in a conversation - showing respect through
      keeping quiet etc.
      - Language differences - the advantage of people using their preferred
      language.
      - Literacy issues - the inclusion of people whose culture is spoken,
      not written.
      - Cultural differences around the same words - specialist jargon words
      used with a different meaning in general speech, words summoning up a
      different picture in different countries - "a good road" "a family" "the
      local community" "schools" "the power supply" "the shops" "the
library" "the
      government" "the police" and so on.
   - When "top-down" opens up communication with "bottom-up" this is not a
   free flow of information as it is not between equals - it is just an add-on
   to an existing unequal system
   - It is only when top-down and bottom-up structures and perceptions
   shift, so that information flows equally between people who have equal
   respect for each other, that we can move towards equality (imagine a top
   down diagram - then a 90 degree shift - then equal exchange).
   - It is important to be aware of every single barrier and to try to
   ensure steps are taken to overcome it.

I'd be interested to hear the views and experiences of others related to
these issues. (I am not able to read all the P2P posts, but will try to
follow this thread)

Pamela


On 25 July 2010 14:09, Michel Bauwens wrote:

>
> http://www.networkpolitics.org/request-for-comments/alexander-r-galloways-position-paper
>
> Dear Tom,
>
> the above is a very important challenge to p2p thinking, and I'm hoping you
> can discuss this for our blog,
>
> Michel
>
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